NBA Power Rankings Based on Championship Odds (Trade Season Is Officially Upon Us)
By Peter Dewey
We're about two weeks away from the NBA's trade deadline, but the Los Angeles Lakers made a splash on Monday, acquring Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards in exchange for Kendrick Nunn and three second-round picks.
There are several players that could be moved at the deadline, especially if a team like the Chicago Bulls or Toronto Raptors decides to blow things up.
For now, the odds to win the NBA Finals are fairly steady, with the Boston Celtics leading the way at +390.
Every week, I break down the latest in the NBA and rank each team based on its odds and play this season. Let's jump into it with the deadline approaching:
1. Boston Celtics (+390) Last Week: No. 1
Boston had a nine-game winning streak snapped on Monday, but it still has a comfortable lead atop the Eastern Conference.
2. Denver Nuggets (+800) LW: No. 2
Denver's biggest concern should be Nikola Jokic's hamstring, but the team continues to win, going 9-1 in its last 10 to hold the top spot in the West.
3. Memphis Grizzlies (+1000) LW: No. 3
Memphis stays in the third spot despite losing three straight. The Grizz have been great this season, ranking third in the NBA in net rating.
4. Milwaukee Bucks (+550) LW: No. 4
Khris Middleton returned to the lineup on Monday, a huge boost for Milwaukee's title hopes.
5. Philadelphia 76ers (+1600) LW: No. 5
Philly is on a five-game winning streak, moving to the No. 2 spot in the East in the process. Is this the year James Harden and Joel Embiid exorcise some playoff demons?
6. Sacramento Kings (+8000) LW: No. 9
The surprise of the season, the Kings have some value in the futures market. They have the No. 3 spot in the West and are an impressive 7-3 in their last 10.
7. Brooklyn Nets (+800) LW: No. 4
The Nets are getting by without Kevin Durant, but until he returns they aren't worth betting at this price.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers (+1800) LW: No. 7
Bright side for Cavs fans: The team seems poised to grab a top six spot in the East. The down side? Getting into the top four is going to be really tough.
9. New Orleans Pelicans (+1800) LW: No. 8
The Pelicans are still waiting on Brandon Ingramto return, and they've slipped to fourth in the West in the process.
10. Los Angeles Clippers (+1300) LW: No. 13
Los Angeles has been in and out of the play-in picture in the West, but with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George healthy (for now) it may finally make a run.
11. Miami Heat (+3600) LW: No. 14
Here come the Heat, moving into the No. 6 spot in the East and looking to push for a top spot in the conference with the team's injury report leveling off.
12. Dallas Mavericks (+2500) LW: No. 11
Dallas is down Christian Wood at the moment, putting a lot of pressure on Luka Doncic to lead the team in the scoring department night in and night out.
13. Golden State Warriors (+850) LW: No. 10
Golden State has a ton of bad losses this season, and if seems destined to fall in the play-in tournament in the West.
14. New York Knicks (+16000) LW: No. 12
Tom Thibodeau's Knicks have lost four straight, and they have one of the thinnest benches in the league, which really limits their ceiling.
15. Atlanta Hawks (+8000) LW: No. 16
The Hawks are back to .500 on the season, but they still haven't put everything together with this new look roster. They're a team to watch at the trade deadline.
16. Utah Jazz (+24000) LW: No. 18
Utah is hanging around in the play-in picture, but does the team sell some assets at the deadline to stockpile picks?
17. Minnesota Timberwolves (+10000) LW: No. 17
The Wolves hold the No. 9 spot in the West, but they are still waiting for Karl-Anthony Towns to come back from his calf injury.
18. Phoenix Suns (+1500) LW: No. 24
The Suns are back in the play-in conversation, but their days as a top team in the West are numbered unless Devin Booker can carry them once he returns.
19. Oklahoma City Thunder (+49000) LW: No. 20
OKC is another surprise team, and it may be able to sneak into the play-in tournament with a strong second half.
20. Chicago Bulls (+16000) LW: No. 21
The Bulls are holding on to a play-in spot in the East, but they have some tough decisions to make regarding Nikola Vucevic and Coby White (FAs after this season).
21. Toronto Raptors (+5500) LW: No. 22
Toronto could really shake up the trade market if it blows things up, but the Raps have played better as of late, winning five of their last 10 games.
22. Los Angeles Lakers (+4800) LW: No. 23
Does Rui Hachimura move the needle for L.A.? Not really, but he's an upgrade on Nunn and a true rotation piece. That's better than nothing.
23. Indiana Pacers (+29000) LW: No. 15
Tyrese Haliburton's injury has crushed the Pacers, as they've lost six straight games to fall into the bottom half of the East play-in standings.
24. Portland Trail Blazers (+8000) LW: No. 19
Damian Lillard and the Blazers have fallen off a cliff, and you have to wonder if they become sellers at the deadline with so many teams in the West jumbled together.
25. Washington Wizards (+49000) LW: No. 25
Bradley Beal is in purgatory in Washington, but hey, he signed up for it.
26. Orlando Magic (+50000) LW: No. 26
Paolo Banchero and the Magic have three wins over Boston this season, and they are one of the more intriguing young teams in the league.
27. San Antonio Spurs (+50000) LW: No. 27
The Spurs finally remembered they are tanking, losing eight of their last 10 to move just three games ahead of Houston for the league's worst record.
28. Charlotte Hornets (+50000) LW: No. 29
LaMelo Ball injured his ankle once again, and the Hornets just simply have too many issues to be taken seriously for a playoff spot.
29. Detroit Pistons (+50000) LW: No. 28
The Pistons could be sellers at the deadline, especially since Cade Cunningham is out for the season.
30. Houston Rockets (+50000) LW: No. 30
Houston finally snapped a 13-game losing streak on Monday, but this team is the worst in the NBA and it's not particularly close.
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.