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2023-24 NBA Power Rankings: First of Regular Season and Who Are The Players Make Or Break Season

The 2023-24 NBA season tips off tonight with two fantastic games. Most teams will play at least three contests this week. Washington, Charlotte, Orlando, Brooklyn, Indiana, Dallas, New Orleans, Minnesota, Boston, and Milwaukee with two a piece.

2023-24 NBA Power Rankings: First of Regular Season and Who Are The Players Make Or Break Season

Here is a look at the second complete edition of my power rankings. There was a little movement by a few teams since my last edition was published before training camp. I also have listed the players who need to step up this year if they want to keep their NBA careers afloat.

1. Phoenix Suns (0-0), No Movement

Phoenix had a very productive preseason, going 4-1, as the Suns’ offensive potential was on full display. The Suns averaged 119.1 points while shooting .470/.380/.799. Damion Lee is out indefinitely after successful surgery to repair his right meniscus.

Make or Break Candidate: Bol Bol

2. Boston Celtics (0-0), No Movement

Boston also had a solid preseason, posting a 4-1 record. The Celtics were pretty good on both ends. The C’s also got surprisingly strong performances from Payton Pritchard, Neemais Queta (2-way), Sam Hauser, and Svi Mykhailiuk.

Make or Break Candidate: Luke Kornet

3. Milwaukee Bucks (0-0), No Movement
Milwaukee went 3-2 during the preseason. Surprisingly, offense was a problem for the Bucks. But Khris Middleton is still getting his feet under him as he played in the Bucks’ preseason finale, marking his first appearance since getting injured last season. Giannis Antetokounmpo, who agreed to a three-year extension on Monday, and Damian Lillard missed two of the preseason contests.
Make or Break Candidate: Cam Payne
4. Los Angeles Lakers (0-0)
The Lakers went 2-4 during the preseason with defense and turnovers. Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, and Taurean Prince had a good preseason. Jarred Vanderbilt (heel) is officially out for the season opener.
Make or Break Candidate: Max Christie

5. Denver Nuggets (0-0), No Movement

Denver lost a lot from its second unit this offseason. The Nuggets went 3-2 as rebounding and turnovers were an issue. Julian Strawther and Zeke Nnaji had outstanding preseasons, while the Nuggets starters also were strong. There is much concern about their bench. Vlatko Cancar is out indefinitely as he recovers from knee surgery.
Make or Break Candidate: None

6. Sacramento Kings (0-0), No Movement

Like last season, the Kings may be one of the most exciting teams offensively, but their defense needs to be addressed. The Kings went 1-4 in the preseason with a minus-5.0 scoring margin. Rookie Colby Jones produced a strong preseason, while Alex Len also played well.

Make or Break Candidate: Kessler Edwards

7. Philadelphia 76ers (0-0)

Philadelphia’s season likely hinges on whether James Harden, who is tending to his ill mother, returns to the team and goes “all out” or not. The 76ers went 2-2 in the preseason as Joel Embiid only played one game, and Harden sat out all of the contests. De’Anthony Melton, Tobias Harris, and Tyrese Maxey had solid preseasons. Meanwhile, Kelly Oubre Jr., who had a decent preseason, could be the key for the Sixers’ second unit.
Make or Break: Jaden Springer, and Furkan Korkmaz

8. New York Knicks (0-0), Moved Up One Spot

New York went 1-3 as the Knicks struggled during the preseason as turnovers and their defense were issues. Josh Hart didn’t play much this preseason. The Knicks starters played well while their reserves struggled on both ends of the floor.

Make or Break Candidate: Quentin Grimes

9. Cleveland Cavaliers (0-0), Moved Up One Spot 
Cleveland went 1-3 during the preseason as the Cavs committed 20 turnovers a game. Rebounding was also an issue for the Cavs, who played extremely fast. Ty Jerome, Dean Wade, and Isaac Okoro had an exceptional preseason.
Make or Break Candidate: Okoro

10. Memphis Grizzlies (0-0), Dropped Two Places

Memphis has significant questions in the frontcourt with Steven Adams (out for the season) and Brandon Clarke out indefinitely as he recovers from offseason surgery. The Grizzlies also will be without Ja Morant for the first 25 games.
Memphis went 2-3 in the preseason, with shooting and turnovers being the major issue. Marcus Smart only appeared in one preseason game, and Derrick Rose played in three. Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., Santi Aldama, Ziaire Williams, and Xavier Tillman had strong preseasons.
Make or Break: None

11. Los Angeles Clippers (0-0), No Movement

The Clippers went 2-2 in the preseason. The Clippers two losses were mainly due to poor shooting. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George averaged less than 19 minutes in their three appearances, while Russell Westbrook saw almost 33 minutes of action in two games. Terance Mann, who didn’t have a great preseason, earned the Clippers fifth starting spot. Bones Hyland had a pretty good preseason, though he did struggle shooting the ball from deep.

Make or Break: Hyland

12. Golden State Warriors (0-0), No Movement

The Warriors went 4-1 in the preseason as they played their starters quite a bit, comparably speaking. The Dubs’ reserves played exceptionally well while the starters struggled a bit. Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga were outstanding, while Brandin Podziemski showed promise as a playmaker. Draymond Green (ankle) will miss at least the season opener.
Make or Break Candidate: Moody

13. Oklahoma City Thunder (0-0), No Movement

Oklahoma City went 2-3 during the preseason. The Thunder were excellent offensively and played at a fast pace.  Shai Gilgeous-Alexander only played in two games. Chet Holmgren, Kenrich Williams, and Josh Giddey were outstanding during preseason action, while severa others had strong performances.

Make or Break Candidate: Alexsej Pokusevski

14. Minnesota Timberwolves (0-0), Moved Up Two Spots

Probably underrated the Timberwolves. Minnesota was the only team that went 5-0 — and one of two teams that went undefeated in the preseason. The Timberwolves thrived on both ends of the floor and won their five contests by nearly 14 points a game. None of the Wolves starters played all five games. Naz Reid had a fabulous exhibition season, while Luka Garza (2-way) was also pretty good.

Make or Break Candidate: Wendell Moore Jr.

15. Dallas Mavericks (0-0), Moved Down One Spot

Dallas went 1-3 during the preseason, as shooting was an issue for the Mavericks. While Luka Doncic didn’t may a whole bunch, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Josh Green played well.

Make or Break: Jaden Hardy

16. Miami Heat (0-0), Moved Down One Spot

Miami went 2-3 in the preseason, losing its last two contests. Turnovers were an issue for the Heat. Tyler Herro had a strong preseason, but Jamal Cain was exceptional.

Make or Break: Haywood Highsmith

17. Atlanta Hawks (0-0), No Movement

The Hawks went 3-2 during the exhibition slate with a -2.2 point differential. Turnovers, rim-protection, and 3-point shooting were an issue during the preseason. Saddiq Bey and Jalen Johnson played pretty well.
Make or Break: Bey

18. New Orleans Pelicans (0-0), No Movement

New Orleans went 1-3 during the preseason and could be without three rotational players to start the season. Trey Murphy III (knee) and Naji Marshall (knee) are out a while. Meanwhile, Jose Alvarado (ankle) is questionable for the season opener.

Make or Break Candidate: Kira Lewis Jr.

19. Brooklyn Nets (0-0), No Movement

Brooklyn went 2-2 during the preseason. Cam Johnson didn’t play during the preseason, while the Nets’ other top players struggled a little on the defensive end. Meanwhile, Lonnie Walker IV and Royce O’Neale led the way.

Make or Break Candidate: Trendon Watford

20. Orlando Magic (0-0), Moved Up Two Spots

Orlando went 3-1 as the Magic were excellent defensively. Franz Wagner, who helped Germany win the FIBA World Cup, was among several players who had a solid preseason. After reportedly looking to trade Cole Anthony, the Magic surprisingly inked him to a three-year extension.

Make or Break Candidate: Caleb Houstan

21. Chicago Bulls (0-0) Moved Down One Spot

Chicago went 1-4 during the preseason. Zach LaVine only played three games, though he played well in the games.

Make or Break Candidate: Dalen Terry

22. Indiana Pacers (0-0) Moved Down One Spot

Indiana went 2-2 during this preseason. Andrew Nembhard played one game, while Tyrese Haliburton appeared in two of the games. Haliburton played well, as did Obi Toppin.
Make or Break Candidate: Jordan Nwora

23. Houston Rockets (0-0), Moved Up Two Spots

Houston went 4-1 during the preseason with a double-digit scoring margin. The Rockets didn’t shoot the ball well, but their defense was fantastic. Jabari Smith Jr. led six players in double figures. However, the Rockets will be without Tari Eason for 2-to-3 weeks with a stress fracture.

Make or Break Candidate: Jae’Sean Tate

24. Toronto Raptors (0-0), Moved Up Two Spots

Toronto is the other team that went undefeated during preseason action. The Raptors were excellent on both ends of the floor, with turnovers being their main issue. Scottie Barnes was among several Raps’ regulars to produce a sensational preseason.

Make or Break Candidate: Malachi Flynn

25. Portland Trail Blazers (0-0) Moved Down Two Spots

Portland went 1-3 during the preseason. While the Trail Blazers shot the ball well, they had trouble defending, mainly not fouling. Malcolm Brogdon and Deandre Ayton only played in two of the contests. But there are serious concerns about the Blazers backcourt defense.
Make or Break Candidate: Moses Brown

26. Utah Jazz (0-0) Moved Down Two Spots

Utah went 3-2 during the preseason, with their biggest win being a 20-point victory over the New Zealand Breakers. Walker Kessler, Lauri Markkanan, and the Jazz’s three first-rounders appear to be the team’s building blocks.
Make or Break Candidate: Luka Samanic

27. Washington Wizards (0-0), Moved Up One Spot

The Wizards went 3-1 during preseason play. Jordan Poole can score, but finding some consistency will be key. Two other players, Kyle Kuzma and Deni Avdija, who signed big extensions this offseason, played well, as did Tyus Jones.

Make or Break Candidates: Johnny Davis and Patrick Baldwin Jr.

28. San Antonio Spurs (0-0), Moved Up One Spot

The Spurs went 3-2 in the preseason. Not sure how Gregg Popovich will play out the season, but Victor Wembanyama could be a once-in-a-generation player. Devin Vassell and Zach Collins, who is questionable for the season opener, received contract extensions and played well this preseason.

Make or Break Candidate: Cedi Osman

29. Detroit Pistons (0-0), Moved Down Two Spots

Detroit went 2-2 in the preseason. Cade Cunningham is back, and Ausar Thompson continued to show promise. However, Bojan Bogdanovic, Monte Morris, and Isaiah Livers are out for the first month or so.

Make or Break Candidate: Killian Hayes

30. Charlotte Hornets (0-0)

Charlotte went 1-3 in the preseason and was blown out in the only game that the Hornets had a full complement of their rotational player. LaMelo Ball is a star, and the Hornets have a decent starting lineup. Rookie Brandon Miller continues to struggle with his shot, and Miles Bridges will miss at least the first 10 games.

Make or Break Candidate: Bridges

 

Daniel Benjamin

Daniel Benjamin

Daniel Benjamin is passionate about all things basketball, especially evaluating talent and analyzing teams, whether the NBA, college basketball, WNBA, G-League or women's college basketball. He also loves to provided insights and gambling incites on basketball.

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