NBA Power Rankings Based on Championship Odds (RJ Barrett Extension Changes Donovan Mitchell Talks)
By Peter Dewey
The Donovan Mitchell sweepstakes have taken an interesting twist.
The New York Knicks reportedly set a deadline with the Utah Jazz to agree to a Mitchell deal, and when it wasn't met, the Knicks signed wing RJ Barrett to a new four-year extension, likely eliminating him from any package the team would be willing to trade for Mitchell.
New York’s Leon Rose set a Monday night deadline with Utah to reach an agreement on a trade for Mitchell – or the Knicks would commit to the Barrett extension, sources said. Knicks, Jazz closed gap on deal points in recent days on a Mitchell trade, but neither would go further.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 30, 2022
Does this open the door for another team to grab Mitchell? Or is Utah's asking price simply too high?
With Kevin Durant off the table and back in Brooklyn, Mitchell is the biggest domino left to fall this offseason, unless the Jazz decide to hang onto him.
While Barrett's extension likely doesn't change the Knicks' outlook in our Power Rankings, it does open the door for other teams to make a move for Mitchell and jump up spots. With the NBA season less than two months away, let's tackle our latest NBA Power Rankings:
1. Golden State Warriors (+600)
Golden State deserves the top spot, especially with some of the offseason additions it made to replace Otto Porter Jr., Damion Lee and Gary Payton II.
2. Boston Celtics (+500)
Boston certainly improved its supporting cast this offseason, but Danilo Gallinari's meniscus tear will shorten the bench early in the 2022-23 season.
Danilo Gallinari has suffered a meniscus tear in his left knee, the Italian national team announces. No ACL or ligament damage, the team says, which is best case for the Celtics forward following the non-contact injury on Saturday. https://t.co/NG8mS7O6pB
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 28, 2022
3. Milwaukee Bucks (+750)
You could make the argument that the Bucks were a healthy Khris Middleton away from making back-to-back NBA Finals. I like them at this price in the 2022-23 campaign...
4. Los Angeles Clippers (+800)
Is this too high for Los Angeles? Maybe cause of injury concerns, but the Clippers have arguably the deepest roster in the NBA when healthy.
5. Brooklyn Nets (+750)
Two words. Kevin Durant.
Seriously, as long as he's in Brooklyn, the Nets deserve respect as a title contender.
6. Denver Nuggets (+2000)
Oddsmakers are sleeping on a healthy Denver team that made the Western Conference Finals the last time this core was together.
7. Philadelphia 76ers (+1500)
The Sixers are going to be a solid regular season team, the question is whether or not their stars show up in the postseason.
8. Miami Heat (+1600)
Could the Heat re-enter the Donovan Mitchell sweepstakes?
9. Phoenix Suns (+1000)
The Suns are essentially running things back, but last year's playoff effort leaves a lot more questions than you'd like for a team that is 10/1.
10. Dallas Mavericks (+2200)
Luka Doncic can carry this team to the playoffs, but losing Jalen Brunson wasn't ideal this offseason.
11. Memphis Grizzlies (+2000)
Does Ja Morant make another leap? If so, the Grizzlies should be right back at the top of the West.
12. Los Angeles Lakers (+1600)
The Lakers made a move for Patrick Beverley, which signals that they may move on from Russell Westbrook this offseason.
13. New Orleans Pelicans (+3500)
Zion Williamson could turn the Pels from a fringe playoff team to a legit contender if he stays healthy.
14. Minnesota Timberwolves (+3500)
The Wolves are going all in, but their depth is going to be tested after the Rudy Gobert trade.
15. Atlanta Hawks (+5000)
Are the Hawks undervalued at this price after adding Dejounte Murray? It seems like oddsmakers expect them to be a play-in team again.
16. Toronto Raptors (+4000)
Do the Raptors join the Mitchell race? They have the pieces and picks to at least make a competitive offer.
17. Chicago Bulls (+6000)
Chicago needs to stay healthy in the 2022-23 season after injuries crushed the team in the second half last season.
18. New York Knicks (+7500)
The Knicks' number keeps getting shorter, and a Barrett-Mitchell-Jalen Brunson trio would be fun to watch if it happens.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers (+10000)
Darius Garland could be next up in the East, as he's already made an All-Star team and nearly willed the Cavs to the playoffs.
20. Portland Trail Blazers (+12500)
Portland re-tooled this offseason, but it's going to be tough to crack into the playoffs in the West.
21. Charlotte Hornets (+15000)
The Hornets are destined to take a step back, which is not how Steve Clifford envisioned his return to the franchise.
22. Utah Jazz (+25000)
Can someone get Danny Ainge to just deal Mitchell already?
23. Washington Wizards (+30000)
The Knicks' extension with Barrett could open the door for Washington in the Donovan Mitchell sweepstakes.
24. Detroit Pistons (+50000)
The Pistons are going to need some teams to fall off in the East to make the playoffs, but they aren't destined for a top pick in 2023.
25. Sacramento Kings (+30000)
The Kings are a team to watch in the West, as they appear to want to make the playoffs rather than sit in lottery purgatory.
26. Orlando Magic (+100000)
Orlando's odds are a little long for a team that looks better on paper than Indiana, Houston and San Antonio.
27. Indiana Pacers (+50000)
The Tyrese Haliburton show could make the Pacers watchable this season.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder (+50000)
Chet Holmgren is out for the year, which is absolutely killer for the Thunder's development this season.
29. San Antonio Spurs (+100000)
The Spurs are in full tank mode, and they could help facilitate a Russell Westbrook deal this offseason.
30. Houston Rockets (+100000)
The Rockets will be a fun offense to watch, but there are going to be a lot of growing pains as well.
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.