NBA Power Rankings Based on Championship Odds (Kevin Durant Gives Nets an Ultimatum)
By Peter Dewey
Are we finally getting closer to a resolution on the Kevin Durant front?
The Brooklyn Nets superstar reportedly gave Nets owner Joe Tsai an ultimatum: Me or Steve Nash and Sean Marks. Wow.
While Nash has been perceived to be Durant's guy, it appears the two-time NBA Finals MVP isn't confident in the direction of the franchise.
Sources: Kevin Durant informed Joe Tsai that he does not have faith in the Nets‘ direction. The meeting was described as transparent and professional, with a clear message: Keep me -- or the GM and coach. https://t.co/W1voNf9MDC https://t.co/0lbBay2OxF
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 8, 2022
It seems like the rest of the NBA offseason is going to remain at a stand still until Durant's situation is figured out, so hopefully for our trade wishes, this gets the ball rolling.
Not much has changed this week, but we're going to Power Rank out teams for the 2022-23 season regardless this week, with odds from WynnBET:
1. Golden State Warriors (+650)
The Warriors may not be in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes this time, but the defending champs are sticking in the top spot this week.
2. Boston Celtics (+400)
Jaylen Brown is seen as the most viable trade piece for KD. But would Boston really change things up after losing in the Finals?
3. Milwaukee Bucks (+700)
Health is the only thing that held the Bucks back from another deep playoff run last season.
4. Los Angeles Clippers (+700)
The Clippers have a ton of talent, and depth, but they need Kawhi Leonard and Paul George to stay healthy in the 2022-23 season.
5. Phoenix Suns (+800)
Do the Suns still have a package for KD even though they can't move Deandre Ayton? It's unlikely, but if they pulled it off, they'd be title favorites.
6. Miami Heat (+1300)
Jimmy Butler deserves some more respect for what he's done in Miami the past three seasons.
7. Philadelphia 76ers (+1300)
There are questions about Philly's playoff pedigree, but Harden and Embiid should be enough for this team to thrive in the regular season.
8. Denver Nuggets (+1800)
Nikola Jokic finally will have a supporting cast, and the Nuggets are a sneaky team in the West.
9. Dallas Mavericks (+2500)
If Luka Doncic is healthy, Dallas is a surefire playoff team in the West.
10. Memphis Grizzlies (+2500)
Memphis overachieved last year, and now it has a chance to solidify itself as a yearly contender in the West.
11. Los Angeles Lakers (+1300)
Can LeBron James carry a flawed roster back to the postseason?
12. Atlanta Hawks (+4500)
The Hawks' odds are a bit surprising, as they have proven they can go deep in the playoffs before and improved by adding Dejounte Murray.
13. New Orleans Pelicans (+4000)
Zion Williamson could turn the Pelicans from a play-in team to a playoff lock in the 2022-23 season.
14. Minnesota Timberwolves (+4000)
Do the Wolves make a leap with Rudy Gobert now in the fold? It seems unlikely, but they certainly are better than last year.
15. Brooklyn Nets (+1000)
If Joe Tsai chooses to move KD after this ultimatum, it's going to be a tough sell to his fanbase.
Our front office and coaching staff have my support. We will make decisions in the best interest of the Brooklyn Nets.
— Joe Tsai (@joetsai1999) August 8, 2022
16. Chicago Bulls (+6000)
The biggest question for the Bulls will be the team's interior defense after it struggled last season.
17. Toronto Raptors (+2500)
I wouldn't bet on the Raptors at this price, as it seems to be factoring in for them potentially trading for KD.
18. Cleveland Cavaliers (+10000)
This young Cavs team seems primed to make a leap over the next few seasons.
19. New York Knicks (+10000)
The Knicks should be better than they were in the 2021-22 season, but will it be enough to make the postseason?
20. Portland Trail Blazers (+8000)
The Western Conference is loaded, and it's going to be tough for the Blazers to break back into a top-six spot.
21. Charlotte Hornets (+15000)
The Hornets are probably going to take a step back in the 2022-23 season, and they'll need Gordon Hayward to stay healthy to compete for a playoff spot.
22. Utah Jazz (+15000)
Hopefully the Jazz trade away Donovan Mitchell instead of letting him waste away on an average team.
23. Detroit Pistons (+50000)
The Pistons may be just one more solid young piece away from starting to turn into a contender rather than a rebuilding squad.
24. Washington Wizards (+30000)
The Wizards just don't have the necessary talent around Bradley Beal to compete for a title right now.
25. Sacramento Kings (+50000)
The Kings may be a team that tries to make a win-now move if they find themselves in the play-in conversation this season.
26. Oklahoma City Thunder (+50000)
If we could trust OKC not to tank, I actually think they could be frisky in the West this season.
27. Orlando Magic (+50000)
Paolo Banchero should be electric to watch on this up-and-coming team.
28. Indiana Pacers (+50000)
I'm out on the Pacers, as they are probably going to sell off more vets as the season goes on.
29. San Antonio Spurs (+50000)
The Spurs appear to be all in on the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes.
30. Houston Rockets (+50000)
There's a ton of potential with this team, but for down the line, not this season.
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.