The NBA is less than a month away from its return. Teams will begin scrimmage play in less than three weeks, and the first official games will tip-off on July 30th. The league’s landscape, however, is very different than it was in March. Several players have already decided to opt-out of the Orlando bubble or will be unavailable due to injury. This changes the outlook of favorites in the top ten power rankings.<\/p>\n
The Philadelphia 76ers<\/a> have not seen any players choose to opt-out yet. They’re also only without Zhaire Smith<\/a><\/strong> due to injury. With this being said, they have underperformed this season.\u00a0Al Horford<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>has been a disappointing addition, and Joel Embiid<\/a><\/strong> and Ben Simmons<\/a><\/strong> still lack great chemistry. The talent is definitely there for a run, however.<\/p>\n The Dallas Mavericks<\/a> will be without Jalen Brunson<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Courtney Lee<\/a><\/strong>, and\u00a0Dwight Powell<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>due to injury.\u00a0Center\u00a0Willie Cauley-Stein<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>chose to opt-out.<\/p>\n Trey Burke<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>was signed to replace Brunson. It’s a solid addition, but nothing to move the Mavericks up the rankings. Cauley-Stein’s decision also leaves the Mavericks with thin frontcourt depth. With all that being said, however, the emerging duo of Luka Doncic<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Kristaps Porzingis<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>will be tough to stop and enough to keep the Mavs in the top 10 power rankings.<\/p>\n The Miami Heat should be healthy and loaded. Jimmy Butler<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>has been a great leader, and the young stars like\u00a0Bam Adebayo<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and Kendrick Nunn<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>have stepped up this season. The play of veterans like\u00a0Goran Dragic<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Andre Iguodala<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>could decide the team’s fate.<\/p>\n The Houston Rockets<\/a> made a real commitment to “small ball.” Releasing Isaiah Hartenstein<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>was a further indicator. So far, however, they’ve remained a legitimate contender.\u00a0James Harden<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Russell Westbrook<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>will be playing with their legacies on the line.<\/p>\n The Denver Nuggets<\/a> have reported<\/a> a few positive cases of COVID-19, including star\u00a0Nikola Jokic<\/a><\/strong>. If recoveries go smoothly, then the Nuggets are primed for a run. They’re a deep team and\u00a0Michael Porter Jr.<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>will be an x-factor.<\/p>\n The Boston Celtics<\/a> are healthy and ready to go. Jayson Tatum<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>will be relied upon to continue his great form.\u00a0Kemba Walker<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>finally gets his chance at a real playoff run. Boston is a real contender.<\/p>\n The Toronto Raptors<\/a> have not missed a beat without Kawhi Leonard<\/a><\/strong> this season, as seen in their high placement in the top 10 power rankings. Pascal Siakam<\/a><\/strong> has become a legitimate star, in Kyle Lowry<\/a><\/strong> is still elite. Their depth will be difficult to deal with.<\/p>\n The Los Angeles Clippers<\/a> look like the most complete team on paper. Adding Marcus Morris<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Reggie Jackson<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>only made the rich even richer. The team is a defensive nightmare, and Leonard and\u00a0Paul George<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>are one of the best duos in basketball.<\/p>\n Avery Bradley<\/a><\/strong> opted out, but the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> will now have\u00a0J.R. Smith <\/strong><\/a>and\u00a0Dion Waiters<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong>If the Lakers can keep the rest of their roster intact then they are a real favorite behind the NBA’s best duo in\u00a0LeBron James<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Anthony Davis<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The Milwaukee Bucks<\/a> earn the top spot here after finishing with the best regular-season record. The team, however, shut down<\/a> their practice facility due to COVID-19 results. If the team is at full strength, however, they will be a favorite behind likely consecutive MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/a><\/strong>.9. Dallas Mavericks\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
8. Miami Heat<\/strong><\/h3>\n
7. Houston Rockets<\/strong><\/h3>\n
6. Denver Nuggets<\/strong><\/h3>\n
5. Boston Celtics<\/strong><\/h3>\n
4. Toronto Raptors<\/strong><\/h3>\n
3. Los Angeles Clippers<\/strong><\/h3>\n
2. Los Angeles Lakers<\/strong><\/h3>\n
1. Milwaukee Bucks<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nMain Photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>