The NBA trade deadline passed, and the final push is underway for many teams. The most movement, in overall standings, will be seen by teams currently sitting in play-in games. Which teams currently outside looking in, will make a leap into the play-in standings, and which teams will start fading? Looking at the top 10 teams, why does each have a strong chance of winning the NBA Finals?
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City continues to dominate the league. Currently owning the league’s best record at 42-9, the young Thunder team shows no signs of slowing down. Led by league MVP front-runner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, his 32.7 PPG not only leads the NBA, but he continues to shine day in and day out. The key to Oklahoma City winning the 2024-2025 NBA Finals will come down to health and continued consistency.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland sits atop the Eastern Conference standings with a clear 5.5-game lead over Boston. They’ve not only been one of the most consistent teams in the Eastern Conference but in the NBA. Cleveland has a favorable schedule the rest of the way, and they can win the NBA Finals by continued domination and winning close games as the playoffs start.
3. Boston Celtics
Currently the second seed in the Eastern Conference, Boston has shown strong play throughout the season. However, they cannot afford to drop winnable games. There have been several games where they did not show up in crunch time, and this must be fixed as they try and defend their NBA title. If they clean up the fourth quarters of close games, Boston can win a second-straight NBA Championship.
4. Denver Nuggets
Denver enters the week with the NBA’s fourth-best offense. They currently own the Western Conference’s third seed and have the chance to leap Memphis with tough defense. Denver can win the NBA Finals with improved defense and experience in the NBA playoffs.
5. New York Knicks
New York has been a top team offensively and defensively throughout the season. Their main issue is their record against the NBA’s top teams. Boston, Cleveland, and Oklahoma City have dominated the Knicks with a 5-0 record. The Knicks’ path to an NBA Championship is simple: beat the top teams in the NBA.
6. Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies have progressed throughout the season, and much can be attributed to the team’s rebounding ability. They do not give up many second-chance points defensively and have a knack for second-chance points on the offensive side of the glass. Memphis’ path to the NBA Finals, and championship, will come down to their ability to defeat Western Conference foes that are arguably the best in the NBA.
7. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers sit in the 5th seed, in the Western Conference, with a 31-19 record. They’ve dominated bottom-feeder teams, and this has helped them maneuver around any slip-ups throughout the season. The trade for Charlotte center Mark Williams was rescinded and need to solidify the center position. If the Lakers are to win the NBA Finals, they must figure out a way to bring in a dominant center.
8. Houston Rockets
Houston hit a rough patch, losing six straight games before winning Sunday against Toronto. They are the team most in need of the All-Star Break. Houston’s path to a championship comes down to regaining their stout defense and continuing to win close games in the playoffs.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves
Naz Reid continues to pick up the pace as Julius Randle misses time. Anthony Edwards will always be a force offensively and will continue to lead the team as the regular season comes to an end. The key to Minnesota reaching and winning the NBA Finals comes down to overall health and warding off any games that are blowout losses.
10. Indiana Pacers
Indiana cooled off as Myles Turner deals with a neck strain. He is the driving force of this young Pacers team and must be healthy as the playoffs begin. It’s a tough road, and while Indiana would need the stars to align perfectly, they can win the NBA Finals with a healthy Myles Turner and a continued high pace of play.
11. Dallas Mavericks
Dallas was ready to make a strong push after the acquisition of Anthony Davis. However, Davis is set to miss an extended period dealing with an adductor injury. Currently, in a play-in spot, Dallas will need to pick up the pace while Davis recovers from injury.
12. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers’ wing defenders have kept them on track all season. Their offensive issues have flared up at different times, and this needs to be fixed if they want to be serious contenders. 0.5 games behind Minnesota for the sixth seed, Los Angeles must come out of the All-Star Break on fire.
13. Milwaukee Bucks
The acquisition of Kyle Kuzma gives Milwaukee a bona fide scorer without the injury concern. Overall depth is still a concern, but keeping Giannis healthy will be a main factor determining how deep the team goes in the playoffs.
14. Portland Trail Blazers
Portland currently sits 3.5 games out of the play-in tournament. They rely heavily on first- and second-year players, and this will ultimately be the deciding factor for them missing the play-in games.
15. Phoenix Suns
Phoenix is barely holding on to the last Western Conference play-in spot. They’ve dealt the entire season with the inability to constantly field a starting lineup featuring Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Kevin Durant. They may miss the play-in games should any of the above trio miss time at the end of the season.
16. Golden State Warriors
Golden State currently sits just outside the play-in games and will rely heavily on newly acquired Jimmy Butler. The All-Star Break will allow the veteran team to rejuvenate any nagging injuries, but will Golden State have enough firepower to reach the playoffs?
17. Miami Heat
The Jimmy Butler saga is over, and the Heat will now add Andrew Wiggins to the starting lineup. They own a play-in spot and will look to gain momentum coming out of the All-Star Break. Winning a playoff series will be a huge success for the trying season in Miami.
18. Detroit Pistons
Detroit is holding onto the Eastern Conference’s sixth seed, but Miami, Orlando, and Atlanta are right on their heels. Detroit will need to win against the bottom teams and continue to have success against fellow playoff teams.
19. Orlando Magic
Orlando is destined for play-in games. Before Paolo Banchero’s early-season injury, they were stirring clear of the play-in games. Banchero has since returned, but the team has yet to find consistency. Consistency will be the deciding factor if they move on during the play-in games.
20. Sacramento Kings
Of the Western Conference teams currently owning a play-in seed, Sacramento has the best chance of reaching the playoffs. They have veterans to lean out, and their bench depth is better than the Clippers, Mavericks, and Suns.
21. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs deadline acquisition for De’Aaron Fox can give them a chance at reaching the play-in games, but they currently sit three games out. Should they miss this season’s play-in games, they have set themselves up for success heading into the 2025-2026 season.
22. Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta’s issue is defense. This has been the case the entire season, and it will undoubtedly be the downfall of their season. They will reach the play-in games, but should they move on, defense will be the reason they are eliminated early.
23. Philadelphia 76ers
1.5 games behind Chicago for the last play-in spot, Philadelphia finally has Joel Embiid and Paul George back in the lineup. Philadelphia can leap Chicago out of the All-Star Break, and assuming healthy, Philadelphia would be the team to fear coming out of the play-in games.
24. Toronto Raptors
Toronto acquired Brandon Ingram at the deadline, but he has yet to play since December. They will not make the play-in games, but Ingram gives them a solid player for the future.
25. Chicago Bulls
Chicago moved Zach LaVine at the deadline but kept Nikola Vucevic. The organization needed to acquire as many draft assets as possible, but they continue to sit in purgatory. They may not be bad enough to land at the top draft spot, and they have not shown the ability to hit on draft picks. Expect Chicago to fall out of play-in contention following the All-Star break.
26. Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn continues to play hard given the trying season they’ve endured. Injuries have frequently occurred as well as moving any decent players via trade. They hope to land the top overall pick in the upcoming draft.
27. Utah Jazz
Utah has been the biggest letdown this season. They have not been able to get past their slow start, and shoddy play has plagued the team. They will be in the mix to land the services of Cooper Flagg.
28. Charlotte Hornets
Other than a handful of players, Charlotte is not a good team. They tried moving Mark Williams for Dalton Knecht, but the deal fell through. This was the most recent blow to a terrible season.
29. New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans dealt Brandon Ingram and that leaves the team with Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, and a handful of talented young players. Health will continue to be the deciding factor for the upcoming seasons.
30. Washington Wizards
Kyle Kuzma was dealt, and he was arguably their best player. It is a complete rebuild in Washington, and they will have the best odds at landing the top draft pick in the upcoming draft.
