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NBA Power Rankings: Reshuffling every tier of contenders

By Jakob Ashlin

Feb 2, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George (13) drives past Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the first quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George (13) drives past Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the first quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chicago Bulls
Dec 20, 2022; Miami, Florida, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8) talks to forward DeMar DeRozan (11) and forward Patrick Williams (44) during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat at FTX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports /

NBA Power Rankings Tier 4: Hanging Around

These teams are still in it, technically.

Chicago Bulls

What is this team? After losing Lonzo Ball to a season-ending knee injury, the Bulls have struggled to recapture their success from last season. They are 11th in the East with a 26-33 record. With DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine on the floor, they will remain in the play-in race. Buyout signing Patrick Beverley is a nice addition. Overall, it seems that this team is content with being fine, in the wake of an eventful trade deadline.

Toronto Raptors

The Raptors turned into buyers at the trade deadline. They elected to not move Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, or OG Anunoby. Instead, they traded for Jakob Poeltl. With the 10th-best record in the East, they are still in the playoff race.

Brooklyn Nets

The Nets still have the fifth-best record in the East. Following the Durant and Irving trades, they have a deep collection of good players: Spencer Dinwiddie, Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith, Nic Claxton, Ben Simmons, Cam Thomas, Royce O’Neale, Seth Curry, Yuta Watanabe, and Joe Harris. They are not positioned to be terrible. In fact, they are 2-2 since the Durant trade. With an 8.5-game lead over the 11-seeded Bulls, the Nets should make the play-in, at the very least.

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