Within the newest episode of Sideline Summit, the crew went by all 30 NBA groups and determined the place every crew’s greatest and worst case situation could be. Each crew will discover themselves in one of many 4 tiers created for this phase.
Excessive Ceiling and Excessive Ground
This class is for groups sure to make a deep playoff run that ends in a title or a convention finals look.
Boston Celtics- Not a lot reasoning. Defending NBA champions and nonetheless taking part in elite basketball.
Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder- This crew obtained a break because of their younger age final 12 months. Now, they’re thought of by many the favourite to come back out of the West and positively have an opportunity to take down Boston. With that expectation additionally comes their first glimpse at actual stress with this core.
Cleveland Cavaliers- This has been the most effective iteration of the Cavaliers within the core 4 period. Because the primary seed within the East, they need to have a cakewalk to the convention finals. From there, they need to be anticipated to compete onerous on the very least.
Denver Nuggets- Anytime you might have the most effective participant within the NBA in Nikola Jokic, you might have an opportunity on the title. Add some nice position gamers and an excellent head coach and this crew is a title menace as at all times.
Los Angeles Lakers- Whereas this can be untimely and out of line with the opposite groups, we disagree. The mixture of Luka Doncic and LeBron James is constructed for playoff success. The matchups can fall their means and a deep playoff run may be made.
Golden State Warriors- Perhaps much more of a untimely guess than the final one, however Steph Curry has been on fireplace since Jimmy Butler got here to city and so they’re solely getting more healthy as we strategy April.
Darkish Horses
This class is for the groups that would have a excessive ceiling if issues break their means, however realistically, they’ve a low ceiling with a reasonably excessive flooring.
New York Knicks- You’ve seen their report towards the highest NBA groups loads of instances so we received’t repeat it. Nevertheless, that’s precisely why they’re right here and never a tier up regardless of their large offseason strikes.
Memphis Grizzlies- The same state of affairs to their final postseason journey, a nasty draw within the first or second spherical might put them down for the rely. Nevertheless, this crew has critical championship upside if their offense can transition to the postseason in a critical method.
Milwaukee Bucks- This can be a Giannis Antetokounmpo praise. This crew isn’t precisely lower like a tier one crew, however much like Jokic, you might have a man that has confirmed they’ll take you to the finals.
Houston Rockets- Expertise simply isn’t on their aspect for this run. It’ll be a helpful expertise for the younger crew going into subsequent season, however they’re out of their league this season.
Indiana Pacers- Their deep run final season was actually one thing to hold their hat on. This season, groups will probably be more healthy, extra doubtless than not, and their protection received’t be capable to stack up towards the highest high-powered offenses just like the Cavaliers and the Celtics.
Los Angeles Clippers- A tricky crew to rank. In a world the place Kawhi Leonard is wholesome, they might actually make a run. With out him, it’s onerous to see a world the place James Harden at this age can take a crew on a deep run.
Minnesota Timberwolves- The spacing is a large number compared to final 12 months and the outcomes from it are evident. Just like the Pacers, they’re right here since you respect their run final season and will see one other spark like that.
Detroit Pistons- This crew is a whole 180 from final season. Just a little too inexperienced like Houston, however count on NBA title contenders come subsequent 12 months with the development from Cade Cunningham.
Most Definitely First Rounded
Because the subheading says, these groups are heading out in spherical one. They might win a sequence, however there are actually no championship hopes.
Dallas Mavericks- In an ideal world, Anthony Davis is wholesome and we flirt with shifting them up. Sadly, he’s a giant danger.
Sacramento Kings- In the event that they handle to flee the play-in, they’ve the Thunder ready for them. It isn’t private, we promise.
Phoenix Suns- With a roster with as many good names as them, it’s simply unhappy placing them right here. Nevertheless, that is the reality of their crew.
Orlando Magic- That is extra primarily based on who they’ll see and never their precise crew. Accidents have plagued all of them season, however count on a powerful 2025-26 marketing campaign.
Miami Warmth- The brand new look Warmth aren’t precisely one thing significantly better than the previous look Warmth. A much less aggressive Bam Adebayo received’t lower it towards Cleveland or Boston.
Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls- They need to actually be within the subsequent tier however they determined to play the mediocre recreation so first spherical exit it’s.
Seize The Flagg
Because the title recommend, these groups ought to be look towards the lottery and firing up these school tapes.
Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors, Charlotte Hornets, Washington Wizards, Portland Trailblazers, San Antonio Spurs, New Orleans Pelicans, and Utah Jazz.