NBA Power Rankings Based on Championship Odds (Should Robert Williams' Surgery Scare Celtics Bettors?)
By Peter Dewey
We are less than a month away from opening night in the NBA!
If that doesn't get you fired up to watch some basketball during the week, especially when we don't have football on, then maybe our weekly NBA Power Rankings aren't for you (but I hope they are).
There hasn't been much going on in the NBA offseason recently, but the Boston Celtics, the NBA Finals favorites, have another injury to add to Danilo Gallinari's torn ACL, as center Robert Williams III reportedly will undergo a procedure on his knee.
Robert Williams’ procedure will keep him minimally out of the Celtics training camp and preseason, but the clean up on his left knee is expected to have him back in the lineup early in the regular season, sources said. https://t.co/rG1JN3kOdz pic.twitter.com/our8tdzRB1
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 20, 2022
Williams is going to be back, but does this put a bit of a damper on the Celtics' long-term outlook?
The oddsmakers don't see it that way, but how does this effect this week's rankings? Let's jump in:
1. Golden State Warriors (+700)
There isn't necessarily value in Golden State at this number, but if you believe in their young lottery talent, this team may be even better in the 2022-23 season.
2. Milwaukee Bucks (+650)
If the Bucks stay healthy, they are the team to beat in the East.
3. Boston Celtics (+500)
Title favorites or not, Robert Williams is a huge part of that. Until we know that his knee can hold up, there is reason to worry a bit about Boston.
4. Los Angeles Clippers (+700)
Tyronn Lue is going to have a lot of weapons at his disposal this season, and the Clippers may finally reap the benefits of the Kawhi Leonard-Paul George duo.
5. Brooklyn Nets (+700)
It's hard to count out Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, but they've given us reasons to doubt them over the last two years as well.
6. Denver Nuggets (+2100)
I'll say it every week, a healthy Denver team is by far the best value on the board entering the season.
7. Phoenix Suns (+1000)
We're going to find out if the Suns' championship window is truly closed for good after last year's disappointing postseason.
8. Philadelphia 76ers (+1700)
Does Doc Rivers put his playoff struggles behind him and lead this team to an NBA Finals? Joel Embiid is a hell of a starting point to get there.
9. Miami Heat (+1800)
Miami is certainly a team that would benefit from Boston taking a step back this season.
10. Dallas Mavericks (+2700)
Tim Hardaway Jr. will have to pick up the Brunson role, but as long as Luka Doncic is healthy, this team will be just fine.
11. Cleveland Cavaliers (+3300)
Can't say enough good things about this Cavs core, and they should be good for years to come with Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Darius Garland.
12. Memphis Grizzlies (+2400)
The next logical progression for Ja Morant appears to be going from All-NBA caliber player to MVP-caliber player...
13. Minnesota Timberwolves (+3300)
The Wolves are going all-in with the Rudy Gobert trade, but they don't feel like a lock to earn a top-six spot in the conference until we see how he works alongside Karl-Anthony Towns.
14. Los Angeles Lakers (+2500)
The Lakers have LeBron James, Anthony Davis... and a lot of major question marks. Can LeBron still will teams to the playoffs? I guess we find out this season.
15. New Orleans Pelicans (+5000)
The Pelicans could crack the top-six in the West this season if Zion Williamson is healthy.
16. Atlanta Hawks (+5000)
We are beginning the run of teams hurt by the Donovan Mitchell trade... starting with the Hawks who improved, but did they do enough to crack the top-six in the 2022-23 campaign?
17. Toronto Raptors (+4500)
The Raptors wilted in the postseason last year, and now they have to face an even tougher Eastern Conference without any major offseason additions.
18. Chicago Bulls (+5000)
The Bulls could find themselves in the play-in conversation after the Cavs move for Donovan Mitchell this offseason.
19. Portland Trail Blazers (+12000)
Damian Lillard could single-handedly get the Blazers to the playoffs, but they lack the top-level talent to do much more than that in the 2022-23 season.
20. New York Knicks (+12000)
Jalen Brunson is going to have some major expectations in New York, but he should mesh well with a young core that is a year removed from a playoff berth.
21. Charlotte Hornets (+12000)
The Hornets lost a lot this offseason, not of their own doing, and it could lead to them taking a step back in the East.
22. Washington Wizards (+20000)
The Eastern Conference is simply too deep for this Wizards team to sneak into the playoffs unless Bradley Beal goes nuclear.
23. Sacramento Kings (+43000)
A full season of the Domantas Sabonis-De'Aaron Fox pairing should be interesting, especially with how well Keegan Murray played in the Summer League.
24. Detroit Pistons (+50000)
It's hard not to like Dwane Casey's bunch, but the Pistons still have a lot of youth, making them a risky bet to make the playoffs in a loaded Eastern Conference.
25. Utah Jazz (+20000)
There are going to be plenty of chances for Collin Sexton to put up counting numbers on a bad, rebuilding Jazz team this season.
26. Orlando Magic (+50000)
The Magic need to get healthy, as Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac are two veterans that could move the needle for this young team.
27. Indiana Pacers (+50000)
The Pacers hold the next major domino in the NBA, as Myles Turner will likely be a hot commodity on the trade market agiain.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder (+50000)
We may not see Chet Holmgren this season, but Josh Giddey could be primed to make a leap in Year 2.
29. San Antonio Spurs (+50000)
The Spurs appear to be shopping more of their vets, signaling that they are all-in on a rebuild in the 2022-23 season.
30. Houston Rockets (+50000)
Losing Christian Wood means a lot of young guys are going to get minutes. Does that translate into wins, or more growing pains? I'm thinking the latter.
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.