{"id":42343,"date":"2021-09-09T08:00:03","date_gmt":"2021-09-09T12:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=42343"},"modified":"2021-09-07T20:44:51","modified_gmt":"2021-09-08T00:44:51","slug":"nba-power-rankings-way-too-early-top-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2021\/09\/09\/nba-power-rankings-way-too-early-top-10\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA Power Rankings: Way too Early Top 10"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s September, and the NBA season doesn’t begin for over a month. With that being said, free agency has come to a halt, at least for the biggest names. Trades can still happen, and there’s probably a strong chance one does, such as trades<\/a> surrounding\u00a0Ben Simmons<\/a><\/strong>, but for now, rosters are mostly set. Take a look at the way too early top 10 NBA power rankings.<\/p>\n

NBA Power Rankings: Way Too Early Top 10<\/h2>\n

10. Denver Nuggets<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Coming in at 10 are the Denver Nuggets. They’ll be without\u00a0Jamal Murray<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>to begin the season, which affects their placement. With that being said, Denver is still home to reigning MVP\u00a0Nikola Jokic<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong>He’s one of the league’s elite players, and his ability to do anything and everything will have Denver winning. The surrounding cast remains great with the likes of\u00a0Aaron Gordon<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Michael Porter<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Jeff Green<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Monte Morris<\/a><\/strong>, and more.<\/p>\n

9. Dallas Mavericks\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Luka Doncic<\/a><\/strong>. That’s pretty much all that has to be said. The Slovenian sensation is a spectacular player and an MVP favorite. Besides Doncic,\u00a0Kristaps Porzingis<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>is regaining health.\u00a0Tim Hardaway Jr<\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0Jalen Brunson<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Dorian Finney-Smith<\/a><\/strong>, and\u00a0Maxi Kleber<\/a><\/strong> return. Additions like\u00a0Reggie Bullock<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Moses Brown<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>also boost the defense. Expect the Mavericks to have one of the best offenses once again.<\/p>\n

8. Atlanta Hawks<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Give a young superstar a strong supporting cast and you’ll have a great playoff run. That’s what the Atlanta Hawks just did with\u00a0Trae Young<\/a><\/strong>. He’s going to be among the league’s best scorers again, and the Hawks have done a terrific job of giving him help. This includes\u00a0Clint Capela<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0John Collins<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Bogdan Bogdanovic<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Danilo Gallinari<\/a><\/strong>, and so much more. The Hawks have fantastic depth.<\/p>\n

7. Miami Heat<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Fresh off a disappointing playoff outing, the Miami Heat made it their mission to improve this offseason. They did just that. The team will still be led by\u00a0Jimmy Butler<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Bam Adebayo<\/a><\/strong>. Much of the supporting cast returns such as\u00a0Duncan Robinson<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Tyler Herro<\/a><\/strong>. Their additions stand out as impressive.\u00a0Kyle Lowry<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>completes a “big three” while PJ Tucker brings even more toughness and defense. Miami still has a wildcard in\u00a0Victor Oladipo<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

6. Utah Jazz<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Utah Jazz are known to succeed in the regular season and run out of gas in the playoffs. With that being said, it’s difficult to overlook their talent.\u00a0Donovan Mitchell<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>is an elite scorer whereas\u00a0Rudy Gobert<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>is an elite defender. The majority of the strong supporting cast in\u00a0Jordan Clarkson<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Bojan Bogdanovic<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Joe Ingles<\/a><\/strong>, and of course\u00a0Mike Conley<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>all returned. More than that, they’ve added intriguing pieces in\u00a0Rudy Gay<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Eric Paschall<\/a><\/strong>, and\u00a0Hassan Whiteside<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

5. Philadelphia 76ers<\/strong><\/h3>\n

There’s a high probability that the 76ers roster will look very different soon due to the Simmons rumors. Philadelphia, however, will command a strong return for the All-Star caliber player. Outside of Simmons, the 76ers remained stack.\u00a0Joel Embiid<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>is clearly one of the toughest and best players in the league.\u00a0Tobias Harris<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>was excellent last season, while\u00a0Seth Curry<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Danny Green<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>shot the lights out.\u00a0Matisse Thybulle<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Tyrese Maxey<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>will only get better. The\u00a0Andre Drummond<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>pick-up is one to watch.<\/p>\n

4. Los Angeles Lakers<\/strong><\/h3>\n

LeBron James<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Anthony Davis<\/a><\/strong>, and\u00a0Russell Westbrook<\/a><\/strong>. The Los Angeles Lakers’ “big three” is going to be extremely exciting and they’ll be in the mix for the championship all season long. It doesn’t stop there as the Lakers are also loaded with veterans. This includes\u00a0Carmelo Anthony<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Dwight Howard<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Rajon Rondo<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Marc Gasol<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Trevor Ariza<\/a><\/strong>, and more. Lastly, they’ll have an injection of youth here and there with\u00a0Malik Monk<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Kris Dunn<\/a><\/strong>, and\u00a0Talen Horton-Tucker<\/a><\/strong>. These players know how to win and the Lakers will be tough to stop.<\/p>\n

3. Phoenix Suns<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Phoenix Suns didn’t make any major roster moves because they didn’t have to.\u00a0Chris Paul<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>is back as the leader of the team, while\u00a0Devin Booker<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Deandre Ayton<\/a><\/strong>, and\u00a0Mikal Bridges<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>will only get better.<\/p>\n

Phoenix made some wise depth decisions – adding\u00a0Landry Shamet<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0JaVale McGee<\/strong><\/a>, and\u00a0Elfrid Payton<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

All in all, virtually the same team will be back. Disappointed off a Finals loss, expect the Suns to be hungrier than ever before.<\/p>\n

2. Milwaukee Bucks<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The reigning champions check-in at two. The Milwaukee Bucks looked excellent in last year’s Finals and anything short of a repeat is a disappointment. The star trio of Giannis Antetokounmpo,\u00a0Khris Middleton<\/a><\/strong>, and\u00a0Jrue Holiday<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>remains amongst the top of the league.\u00a0Bobby Portis<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>also re-signed, which was major for this team.<\/p>\n

Donte DiVincenzo<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>returns from injury, a player the Bucks sorely missed even though they still won the championship. Adding\u00a0Grayson Allen<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0George Hill<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>for backcourt depth was wise as well. Losing Tucker hurts, as he’s a leader and defensive menace, but the Bucks will be just as good or better.<\/p>\n

1. Brooklyn Nets<\/strong><\/h3>\n

It’s difficult to deny the Brooklyn Nets the top spot in the NBA power rankings. Kevin Durant<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Kyrie Irving<\/a><\/strong>, and\u00a0James Harden<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>playing together just carries too much tantalizing potential. Last season gave the league a sneak peak, although injuries were constant and derailed all championship hopes. If injuries are maintained, the Nets stand above the pack as the most talented team.<\/p>\n

Joe Harris<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>will continue to shoot the lights out, while\u00a0Nicolas Claxton<\/a><\/strong> is primed for a break-out. Lastly, signing a veteran like\u00a0Patty Mills<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>was an outstanding move.<\/p>\n

Main Image: Embed from Getty Images<\/a>