Summary → New season's strength list 16-30: The Bucks are declining 16, 76ers Pepper Emperor fails to score 21, Suns lose KD24

15. Memphis Grizzlies

2024-25 season record: 48 wins and 34 losses

Last ranking: 12

Playoff results: Stop in the first round

2025 draft picks: 16th pick (from the Orlando Magic), 48th pick (from the Golden State Warriors), 56th pick (from the Houston Rockets)

The difficult schedule at the end of the season has led to turmoil in the coaching team and also changed the Grizzlies' tactical style in the playoffs. Now that the team has removed the title of interim coach for Isalo, the coach will have the opportunity to use the entire offseason to fully implement his tactical system. General Manager Zach Kleiman has expressed confidence in Isalo's future coaching. But the core duo, composed of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., has only won one playoff series so far. Memphis recently traded Desmond Bain to the Orlando Magic for Caldwell Pope, Cole Anthony, four draft picks and one draft pick swap. As the Grizzlies seek a lineup restructuring, more trade moves appear to follow.

14. Dallas Mavericks

2024-25 season record: 39 wins and 43 losses

Last ranking: 17

Playoff results: Stop playoffs

2025 draft pick: No. 1 pick

After sending Luca Doncic, the Mavericks' long-term concerns on the court and financial side were alleviated by their amazing lottery draw luck (the No. 1 pick was selected for Cooper Flag). Flag will enter the NBA with the opportunity to win immediately next to Anthony Davis, and will also have the opportunity to partner with Kyrie Irving (the latter recovered from an ACL injury and is expected to miss at least some of the 2025 schedule).

Finding a replacement for Irving (who can be transformed into a key substitute after his comeback) will be one of the top priorities for Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison in the offseason. If Dallas chooses to fill this vacant through free markets, Schroeder, Brogdon, Tyame Jones and Chris Paul are among the possible candidates. The Mavericks also hope to reach a new contract with Irving, who needs to make a decision on whether to implement its $44 million player option.

13. Orlando Magic

2024-25 season record: 41 wins and 41 losses

Last ranking: 15

Playoff results: Stop in the first round

2025 draft picks: No. 25 (from the Denver Nuggets), No. 46, No. 57 (from the Boston Celtics)

The Magic are no longer satisfied with the patient waiting for a slow climb in the East - they are ready to make a huge leap. After suffering from injuries in the 2024-25 season (Paul Benkairo, Franz Wagner and Jaylen Sages played only 6 games at the same time), the team took decisive action, sending out four unprotected first-round picks, a slightly protected draft pick swap and two role players, and exchanged Desmond Bain from the Memphis Grizzlies. As a shooter with a career three-point shooting percentage of 41%, Bain should be able to significantly improve the Magic's offensive firepower (the team ranked last in the league in three-point shooting percentage and shooting percentage last season), while sharing the organizational responsibilities of the original Orlando stars.

12. Boston Celtics

2024-25 season record: 61 wins and 21 losses

Last ranking: 3

Playoff results: Stop the second round

2025 draft picks: 28th pick, 32nd pick (from Washington Wizards)

After Jason Tatum suffered a heavy blow from a torn Achilles tendon, no team has more decisive offseason than Boston. The team's existing roster has made its total salary exceeding the second rich line of $23 million, and the team may need to cut salary through multiple deals. The Celtics have to decide whether they hope this roster that once won the championship in 2024 will be retained or disbanded, and they will likely take a different look next season.

11. The Detroit Pistons

2024-25 season record: 44 wins and 38 losses

Last ranking: 14

Playseason result: Stop in the first round

2025 draft pick: 37th pick (from Toronto Raptors)

2024-25 season was an unquestionable success for the Pistons: in the regular season, they increased their winning numbers by a full 30 games (from 14 to 44). In the first round of the playoffs, they caused huge trouble for the New York Knicks and eventually lost, while witnessing Cad Cunningham's first career selection for the All-Squad. The team will continue to rely on the continued progress of its young players to improve the roster, and Cningham needs to reduce turnovers and improve scoring efficiency. Jaden Ivy should be able to recover from a broken leg injury, Jalen Durham will improve his defensive performance, and Osal Thompson should develop into a more offensive threat like his twin in the Rockets.

10. Los Angeles Clippers

2024-25 season record: 50 wins and 32 losses

Last ranking: 9

Playoff results: Stop in the first round

2025 draft picks: No. 30 (from the Oklahoma City Thunder), No. 51 (from the Minnesota Timberwolves)

After Paul George was allowed to leave the team as a free agent last summer, the Clippers performed more than expected in the new season, with the team's offense and defense being more balanced and better performance on the defensive end. During Kawhi Leonard's absence, James Harden played at the All-Star and All-Squad three-tier team level. Zubac showed dominance in the inside on both offense and defense, while Norman Powell's performance in the first half of the season was comparable to the All-Star level. Harden has the player option in hand, and if he chooses to jump out of the contract to become a free agent, the Clippers are likely to seek a new contract with the point guard, with the years aligned with the remaining two years of Leonard. The Clippers will explore ways to improve their strength and remain competitive, and they will closely monitor the trends in the trading market this offseason.

9. Los Angeles Lakers

2024-25 season record: 50 wins, 32 losses

Last ranking: 6

Playoff results: Stop in the first round

2025 draft pick: 55th pick

After abandoning Hayes in the end game of the first round of the Minnesota Timberwolves series (Game 5), the Lakers' top priority in the offseason will be to find a reliable center.

They will have a mini middle class special case (about $5.6 million) to reinforce the position. In addition, Hachimura Hachimura ($18.3 million), Vincent ($11.5 million) and Cleber ($11 million) all have their final year contracts, which provides the Lakers with some actionable salary matching space in the trading market.

8. Golden State Warriors

2024-25 season record: 48 wins and 34 losses

Playoff results: Stop the second round

2025 draft pick: 41st pick (from the Miami Heat)

The Warriors entered the offseason with a hint of regret, and they couldn't help but imagine how far the team could go if Stephen Curry's hamstrings remain healthy. In view of this, the Warriors hope to continue to improve their strength based on Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green. Teams need to increase their size, more offensive and defensive wings that can shoot, and deeper bench depth.

Jonathan Kumingga will become a restricted free agent, and general manager Mike Dunleavy said the Warriors want Kumingga to return. However, Kuminga's playing time has not been stable throughout the season, although he scored one of his personal best performances in the second round of Curry's absence against the Timberwolves, averaging 24.2 points per game. Head coach Steve Cole has said that if Cuminga returns, he will work early in the season to get Cuminga to play with Curry, Butler and Green to test whether the combination can produce better chemistry. The Warriors can choose to match any offer, or may seek a sign-in deal.

7. New York Knicks

2024-25 season record: 51 wins 31 losses

Last ranking: 5

Playoff results: Stop the Eastern Conference Finals

2025 draft pick: 50th pick (from the Memphis Grizzlies)

In an announcement of the dismissal of head coach Tom Thibodeau, Knicks president Leon Ross began the article: "Our team's only goal is to win the championship for fans." This sentence, and the decision to fire Thibodeau only three days after the New York Knicks completed its most in-depth playoff journey in 25 years, fully demonstrates that no matter who the team hires to take over as head coach, its future goals point to higher expectations. The Knicks reached the division finals with a very talented starting lineup - although this lineup performed poorly in the second half of the season and in the playoffs - their bench depth was very weak. If the Knicks want to win the championship next season, one of their starting lineup and bench, or even both, needs to be upgraded.

6. Indiana Pacers

2024-25 season record: 50 wins, 32 losses

Last ranking: 8

Playseason results: NBA Finals runner-up

2025 draft pick: 54th pick

Pacers are only one game away from creating one of the most shocking upsets in NBA Finals history, but the Achilles tendon injury suffered by Terrys Halliburton during the Finals cast a huge question mark on the prospect of one of the most spectacular teams in the league. Halliburton fell to the ground due to a non-contact injury in the finals tiebreak and then failed to return. Although the team has not announced the specific severity of the injury, the situation looks a bit unoptimistic. The Pacers staged an incredible counterattack journey in the Eastern Conference playoffs, moving into the first Finals in 25 years, with their young core squad giving them more capital than any team to remain competitive in the coming years, but Halliburton's 2025-26 season will almost certainly be severely affected.

5. Houston Rockets

2024-25 season record: 52 wins and 30 losses

Last ranking: 4

Playoff results: Stop in the first round

2025 draft picks: 10th pick (from Phoenix Suns), 59th pick (from Oklahoma City Thunder)

The Rockets show that they are only one offensive engine away from going further in the playoffs. The team originally hoped that a young talented player could stand up and take on this role. However, the Rockets made a big deal on the last day of the NBA season, bringing Kevin Durant into his rank and sending Jaylen Green, Dillon Brooks and multiple draft picks, including the 10th overall pick in this week's draft. Durant worked with Rockets Bishop Uduka for the Brooklyn Nets, and the 15-time All-Star superstar will bring leadership experience to the young team. The Rockets ranked second in the West last season, but lost to the more experienced Golden State Warriors in the first round.

4. The Cleveland Cavaliers

2024-25 season record: 64 wins and 18 losses

Last ranking: 2

Playoff results: Stop the second round

2025 draft picks: 49th pick (from the Milwaukee Bucks), 58th pick

The Cleveland Cavaliers This fantastic season came to an abrupt end in the hands of the Indiana Pacers, who staged a miraculous comeback against the New York Knicks and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Part of the reason for the Cavaliers' premature elimination was the performance of defender Darius Garland. During the playoffs, he averaged only 18 points per game, shooting 42% from the field (28.6% from three-pointers), while he averaged 20.6 points per game and shot 47.2% from the field (40.1% from three-pointers). Garland underwent surgery on his left big toe, an injury that limited his playoff performance, but the Cavaliers said he expected to recover before training camp.

3. Denver Nuggets

2024-25 season record: 50 wins and 32 losses

Last ranking: 7

Playoff results: Stop the second round

2025 draft picks: None

Nuggets made the most significant change before the end of the regular season, fired head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth. After this move, the team reached the second round, but eventually lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in seven games, during which Aaron Gordon was severely restricted due to a hamstring injury. Although the Nuggets might envision how far they can go if all members are healthy, they still need to improve their roster strength around Jokic. After Adelman was officially appointed as head coach, he said the Nuggets need to improve their physical form and continue to focus on defense.

Denver urgently needs to increase the depth of the lineup, especially to maintain competitiveness during the absence of Jokic. With Russell Westbrook refusing to execute the player option to become a free agent, the Nuggets may need to find another experienced bench catalyst. Given that the Nuggets can trade only first-round picks in 2031 or 2032, Michael Porter Jr. may be their most viable bargaining chip if they decide to make waves in the offseason.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves

2024-25 season record: 49 wins, 33 losses

Last ranking: 11

Playoff results: Stop the Western Conference Finals

2025 draft picks: No. 17 (from the Detroit Pistons), No. 31 (from the Utah Jazz)

Before encountering the chainsaw-like Thunder in the Western Conference Finals, the Timberwolves looked quite like a championship contender, but they eventually lost the series with a big score of 1-4.

With Julius Randle and Naz Reed having player options next season and Alexander Walker will be a free agent this summer, the Timberwolves face some major roster decisions.

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

2024-25 season record: 68 wins and 14 losses

Last ranking: 1

Playoff results: NBA Finals champion

2025 draft picks: 15th pick (from the Miami Heat), 24th pick (from the Los Angeles Clippers), 44th pick (from the Atlanta Hawks)

We may need to start getting used to watching the Thunder in June. Oklahoma City has won one championship with a core lineup made up of rising youth talents. MVP Alexander is at the peak of his 26-year-old. The best-ranked partner Jaylen Williams is 24 years old, and future All-Star candidate Chet Homegren is 23 years old. Their potential is still only the tip of the iceberg. The Thunder’s three cornerstone players may sign generous long-term contract extensions this summer. Next season, the Thunder will also add lotto pick guard Nikola Topic to the rotation, who has recovered from a knee injury and missed the entire rookie season. General Manager Sam Presti needs to decide how to deal with the two second-round picks the team has in this draft, which are part of the Thunder’s deep reserve of draft assets in the coming years.