NBA Power Rankings Based on Odds Ahead of 2022 Free Agency (Knicks Aim for Brunson, Kyrie Is Back)

The NBA offseason is in full swing, with the Denver Nuggets and Washington Wizards making a trade on Wednesday morning, and the New York Knicks clearing all the cap space possible for Jalen Brunson.

The Brooklyn Nets and Kyrie Irving have come to a resolution, as he's opted into his contract and plans to remain in Brooklyn next season.

This has all happened in less than a week since the 2022 NBA Draft, where Paolo Banchero landed with the Orlando Magic as the No. 1 pick. How does each of these team's stack up in the latest NBA Finals odds, and our Power Rankings?

Let's jump into the pre-free agency edition:

1. Golden State Warriors (+550)

The Warriors have a few key free agents in Kevon Looney, Gary Payton II and Otto Porter Jr. While Payton and Porter may have priced themselves out of GS, Looney is expected to return to the, per Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer.

2. Milwaukee Bucks (+750)

The Bucks are sticking in the top two, as they don't really need a tweak this offseason other than Khris Middleton coming back healthy.

3. Los Angeles Clippers (+700)

The Clippers have moved to second in the odds to win the title after it was reported that they plan to sign John Wall once he clears waivers.

4. Boston Celtics (+750)

Boston has been quiet so far this offseason, but it is armed with a traded player exception that could help it improve the bench.

5. Brooklyn Nets (+750)

Kyrie Irving is back. The Nets need to stay healthy, but Irving, Kevin Durant and Ben Simmons is going to be a tough group to beat in the East.

6. Denver Nuggets (+1800)

I'm very confused about the trade Denver made on Wednesday, but the return of Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. will go a long way. The Nuggets have much less uncertainty than some of the league's other contenders.

7. Phoenix Suns (+1000)

Deandre Ayton is probably gone, but for what, and to who? We will find out when free agency opens, but the Suns better hope they get something of value in return for the former No. 1 pick.

8. Dallas Mavericks (+1500)

Jalen Brunson appears to be heading to the New York Knicks, which means Dallas loses arguably its second best player this offseason. Luka Doncic can carry this team, but there has to be another move coming to improve the roster.

9. Miami Heat (+1200)

The Heat could lose P.J. Tucker, who opted out of his deal, in free agency. That would be a major blow, as the team has struggled to find a frontcourt mate for Bam Adebayo.

10. Memphis Grizzlies (+1500)

The Grizzlies made a draft-day trade, but I don't expect them to be active in free agency with most of their young core already locked up.

11. Philadelphia 76ers (+1500)

The Sixers appear to be the frontrunners for Tucker in free agency, but it's going to be up to Joel Embiid and James Harden to take this team deep in the playoffs.

12. Los Angeles Lakers (+1800)

The Lakers look to be in the Russell Westbrook business for one more year after he opted into his deal. With John Wall and Kyrie Irving off the table, I can't see the Lakers finding a trade partner for Russ this offseason.

13. New Orleans Pelicans (+4000)

I love what the Pelicans are building, and they added another solid young piece defensively by taking Dyson Daniels with the No. 8 pick.

14. Toronto Raptors (+5000)

The Raptors have been quiet, other than a potential Fred VanVleet extension, but I wonder if they could be in on the Deandre Ayton sweepstakes this summer.

15. Atlanta Hawks (+7500)

I love that the Hawks are trying to do something and acquire Dejounte Murray in a trade. I also love that they were able to get A.J. Griffin after he fell out of the lottery in the draft.

16. Minnesota Timberwolves (+4000)

The Wolves could be a sneaky team in the trade market this offseason if they decide to move D'Angelo Russell. Minnesota also re-signed forward Taurean Prince to a two-year deal on Tuesday.

17. Chicago Bulls (+5000)

As long as the Bulls keep Zach LaVine, it's a win for them this offseason. However, getting a defensive-minded big man would also raise this team's ceiling.

18. Charlotte Hornets (+7500)

Steve Clifford is back, and the Hornets have a huge decision to make on RFA Miles Bridges. That's going to dictate a lot of what they do this offseason.

19. Utah Jazz (+6000)

Could the Jazz just run things back with a new coach in Will Hardy? It seems like that's a possibility.

20. Cleveland Cavaliers (+10000)

The Cavaliers are a fine young team, but unless they bring back Collin Sexton, I don't see them making a move that significantly impacts their playoffs chances this offseason.

21. New York Knicks (+7500)

Nothing's done yet, so we won't bump the Knicks up, but signing Jalen Brunson is a solid move for a team looking to make the playoffs. Also, the Knicks freed up a ton of minutes for their young guys by trading Kemba Walker, Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel.

22. Detroit Pistons (+20000)

The Pistons are having themselves an offseason, nabbing Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey in the draft as well as six second-round picks to take the contracts of Alec Burks, Nerlens Noel and Kemba Walker off the Knicks' hands this offseason.

23. San Antonio Spurs (+25000)

If the Spurs trade Dejounte Murray, I'd expect it is to go full tank mode for French prospect Victor Wembanyama in the 2022 NBA Draft.

24. Portland Trail Blazers (+10000)

I really don't know what the Blazers are doing. Apparently, they want to win around Dame, but they took the biggest question mark in the lottery, Shaedon Sharpe instead of moving the pick for a proven piece.

25. Washington Wizards (+50000)

Bradley Beal will reportedly stay in Washington, which is a good sign for the Wizards who also grabbed Monte Morris and Will Barton is a trade Wednesday.

26. Sacramento Kings (+50000)

After all the talk of trading back, the Kings decided to roll with Keegan Murray at No. 4. It will be interesting to see how the team navigates free agency with the playoffs in mind.

27. Oklahoma City Thunder (+50000)

Chet Holmgren is in OKC, but the Thunder appear to still be playing for the future with their draft pick of Ousmane Dieng at No. 11.

28. Indiana Pacers (+50000)

The Pacers are in a rebuild, and I wouldn't be shocked if they move Malcolm Brogdon or Myles Turner this offseason.

29. Orlando Magic (+50000)

Paolo Banchero shot up draft boards to land with the Magic at No. 1, and he should fit in well alongside Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr. in the frontcourt.

30. Houston Rockets (+50000)

The Rockets had a great draft, landing Jabari Smith, TyTy Washington and Tari Eason. They're still in a rebuild, but they have a lot of good young talent.

Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.