NBA

ESPN releases NBA power rankings, Lakers 10th

Published

July 31, 2025

May 9, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; General view of a ESPN broadcast cameraman before the game between the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Denver Nuggets during game three of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

ESPN has released its first NBA power rankings for the upcoming 2025-26 season. Despite having LeBron James and Luka Doncic on the roster, the Los Angeles Lakers are only ranked 10th

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The top team on the power rankings is, no surprise, the Oklahoma City Thunder. They were the best team all season long last year, capping the year off with an NBA championship.

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Here’s ESPN’s full NBA power rankings list.

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

2. Houston Rockets

3. Denver Nuggets

4. Cleveland Cavaliers

5. New York Knicks

6. Minnesota Timberwolves

7. Los Angeles Clippers

8. Orlando Magic

9. Golden State Warriors

10. Los Angeles Lakers

11. Detroit Pistons

12. Atlanta Hawks

13. Dallas Mavericks

14. Milwaukee Bucks

15. Memphis Grizzlies

16. San Antonio Spurs

17. Boston Celtics

18. Philadelphia 76ers

19. Miami Heat

20. Indiana Pacers

21. Portland Trail Blazers

22. Sacramento Kings

23. Chicago Bulls

24. Toronto Raptors

25. Phoenix Suns

26. New Orleans Pelicans

27. Charlotte Hornets

28. Brooklyn Nets

29. Washington Wizards

30. Utah Jazz

Once the season starts, this ranking could completely change. Can the Lakers crack the top five by the next power rankings?

About the Author Published Jul 31, 2025

TITAN FREY

Titan Frey is a dedicated father to three wonderful children, whom he takes immense pride in. His passions include reading, writing, basketball, both playing and watching, and playing chess. Titan spent five years working as a journalist for the basketball website fadeawayworld.net, where he served as editor-in-chief for four and a half years. One of his most notable achievements was interviewing Chuck Cooper III, the son of Chuck Cooper, the first African American ever drafted by an NBA team, and writing a biography that has been praised as the most definitive article about Cooper’s legacy. Titan is the author of more than ten novels and the screenwriter of three produced short films. His newest young adult novel, Echoes of the Hardwood: Braxton Foxworthy’s Time‑Travelling Book Report, blends basketball history with heartfelt storytelling and is now available. Order here: https://a.co/d/bo7BYz1