NBA Power Rankings: Assessment of all 30 teams following the trade deadline

The flurry of activity surrounding the 2026 trade deadline has concluded as we turn our attention to the NBA All-Star Weekend.

Anticipate the appearance of stars in Los Angeles for a revised format where three teams, consisting of American and international players, will compete in a tournament-style event.

Several new players have joined the prestigious rosters, including Jamal Murray and Chet Holmgren, while established names like Kevin Durant and LeBron James add yet another All-Star honor to their careers.

Following the All-Star break, teams will aim to regroup, devising strategies for the final three months of the regular season to determine what is necessary to secure a postseason berth or enhance their chances in the lottery.

In the meantime, here are this week’s NBA power rankings.

Note: Team rankings are based on the opinions of our panel (ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Dave McMenamin, Jamal Collier, Michael C. Wright, Bobby Marks, Tim Bontemps, Tim MacMahon, Vincent Goodwill, and Zach Kram) regarding team standings.

Previous rankings: Preseason | Oct. 29 | Nov. 5 | Nov. 12 | Nov. 19 | Nov. 26 | Dec. 3 | Dec. 10 | Dec. 17 | Dec. 24 | Dec. 31 | Jan. 7 | Jan. 14 | Jan. 21 | Jan. 28 | Feb. 4

Jump to a team:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WAS

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

• 2025-26 record: 41-13

• Previous ranking: 1

• Next games: @ PHX (Feb. 11), vs. MIL (Feb. 12)

Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is sidelined due to an oblique injury and will miss All-Star Weekend, but Jalen Williams has returned after missing 10 games because of a hamstring strain. His comeback was pivotal on Monday night in Los Angeles, where he scored 23 points in 24 minutes during a 119-110 victory over the Lakers. Although his surgically repaired right wrist seemed to be causing him discomfort after being hit, Williams persevered and played a tough game, drawing 13 free throws. If Gilgeous-Alexander is expected to miss games after the break, this could provide Williams an opportunity to establish a rhythm in what has been a challenging season for him thus far. — Anthony Slater

2. Detroit Pistons

• 2025-26 record: 39-13

• Previous ranking: 2

• Next games: @ TOR (Feb. 11)

Before James Jones potentially imposes a significant suspension on big man Isaiah Stewart, the Pistons were poised for some genuine playoff-like challenges in the coming weeks: Toronto, a trip to Madison Square Garden to face a Knicks team they have defeated twice, followed by matchups against San Antonio, Oklahoma City, and the revamped Cavaliers. The trade of Jaden Ivey was a show of confidence in Daniss Jenkins, who was signed to a two-year deal immediately after the trade deadline. Although it’s early, Kevin Huerter, acquired in the Ivey trade, has yet to make a 3-point shot but has been effective from two-point range. — Vincent Goodwill

3. San Antonio Spurs

• 2025-26 record: 37-16

• Previous ranking: 4

• Next games: @ GS (Feb. 11)

Second-year guard Stephon Castle has steadily enhanced his shooting performance over three consecutive games as San Antonio has won four straight, heading into a trip out West for back-to-back games against the Lakers and Warriors before the All-Star break. Victor Wembanyama has recorded 24 consecutive double-doubles this season, tying for sixth in the NBA, while rookies Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant continue to progress. Local fans will not see their hometown team at Frost Bank Center again until March 5 due to the team’s annual Rodeo Road Trip. — Michael C. Wright

4. New York Knicks

• 2025-26 record: 34-20

• Previous ranking: 5

• Next games: @ PHI (Feb. 11)

The Knicks’ eight-game winning streak was halted by another 30-point defeat at the hands of the Pistons. In two encounters with one of their primary rivals in the East, the Knicks have a minus-69 point differential. However, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns, who missed that game due to injuries, are recovering and could benefit from the upcoming All-Star break to prepare for the final eight weeks of the regular season. Deadline acquisition Jose Alvarado has already made an impact, contributing 12 points and two steals in their bounce-back victory in Boston on Super Bowl Sunday. A notable response from a suddenly resilient group. — Goodwill

5. Denver Nuggets

• 2025-26 record: 34-20

• Previous ranking: 3

• Next games: vs. MEM (Feb. 11)

Denver’s injury challenges continued with Peyton Watson, who is enjoying a breakout season, suffering a hamstring strain that will keep him out for at least four weeks. The Nuggets welcomed back Cameron Johnson on Saturday after he missed 23 games due to a bone bruise in his knee. Denver has a record of 21-9 with Johnson in the lineup. — Tim MacMahon

6. Boston Celtics

• 2025-26 record: 34-19

• Previous ranking: 7

• Next games: vs. CHI (Feb. 11)

Indeed, the Celtics executed a series of transactions to acquire Nikola Vucevic and reduce their luxury tax burden, but the significant news for Boston at the trade deadline was Jayson Tatum beginning to practice, first in the G League and then with the Celtics this week. If Tatum — and it remains an if — can return to form, Boston could pose a serious threat to emerge from the East this spring. — Tim Bontemps

7. Houston Rockets

• 2025-26 record: 33-19

• Previous ranking: 6

• Next games: vs. LAC (Feb. 11)

Two consecutive home defeats combined with inactivity at the trade deadline have left some fans uneasy about the Rockets’ decision not to address their point guard situation. Both coach Ime Udoka and general manager Rafael Stone remain confident in Houston’s capacity to perform at a high level without a conventional point guard. Tari Eason and All-Star center Alperen Sengun only reinforced the front office’s confidence on Saturday against the undermanned Thunder. Eason scored a season-high 26 points, while Sengun recorded his second triple-double of the season. Sengun and Kevin Durant accounted for 63% of Houston’s scoring or assists. — Wright

8. Cleveland Cavaliers

• 2025-26 record: 33-21

• Previous ranking: 9

• Next games: vs. WAS (Feb. 11)

The initial two games of the James Harden era in Cleveland have started positively. Harden is averaging 22.5 points, 7.5 assists, and six rebounds on 48% shooting (47% from three) in his first two games with the Cavaliers, both wins for a team that has maintained momentum since the beginning of 2026. Cleveland has now won four consecutive games and nine of their last ten. Since January 1, the Cavs and Pistons (14-5) share the best records in the NBA. — Jamal Collier

9. Los Angeles Lakers

• 2025-26 record: 32-21

• Previous ranking: 12

• Next games: vs. DAL (Feb. 12)

Luke Kennard mentioned that JJ Redick encouraged him to be more aggressive in shooting during their first conversation after the Lakers traded Gabe Vincent and a future second-round pick to the Hawks for the sharpshooter. He quickly followed that advice, making his first 3-pointer in a Lakers uniform just two minutes into his debut. The Lakers currently rank 23rd in the NBA for 3-pointers made per game, and Kennard will be expected to improve that statistic. — Dave McMenamin

10. Minnesota Timberwolves

• 2025-26 record: 33-22

• Previous ranking: 8

• Next games: vs. POR (Feb. 11)

The Timberwolves had one of the more intriguing trade deadlines in the NBA last week. They not only traded Mike Conley — along with a first-round pick swap — to save significant money, but also dealt four second-round picks to acquire Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu to bolster their backcourt depth, and are anticipated to re-sign Conley shortly. Time will reveal if these moves will be sufficient to propel Minnesota to a third consecutive Western Conference finals — or further. — Bontemps

11. Toronto Raptors

• 2025-26 record: 32-22

• Previous ranking: 11

• Next games: vs. DET (Feb. 11)

The Raptors hold a record of just 11-15 against teams with winning records, the worst such record among any team in the top six of either conference’s standings. However, they have consistently taken care of business against weaker opponents, including decisive victories over the Bulls and Pacers in the past week, and are 21-7 against teams with losing records. — Zach Kram

12. Phoenix Suns

• 2025-26 record: 32-22

• Previous ranking: 10

• Next games: vs. OKC (Feb. 11)

Phoenix acquired Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey from Milwaukee in exchange for Nigel Hayes-Davis and Nick Richards at the trade deadline. For a Suns team that ranks 21st in bench scoring this season, adding a player like Anthony, who has a career average of 12.0 points per game, provides coach Jordan Ott with additional options in his rotation. Anthony could be especially valuable if Jalen Green’s hamstring issues continue. — McMenamin

13. Philadelphia 76ers

• 2025-26 record: 30-23

• Previous ranking: 13

• Next games: vs. NYK (Feb. 11)

There is considerable concern in Philadelphia regarding the 76ers’ decision to trade Jared McCain to the Thunder for a first-round pick and three second-rounders last week, which allowed the team to exit the luxury tax. Only time will tell if Daryl Morey’s claim that the 76ers sold high on McCain is accurate, but it is noteworthy that Oklahoma City was the only team in the top 10 with a strong record that moved a first-round pick to acquire a player, and that McCain was their choice. — Bontemps

14. Orlando Magic

• 2025-26 record: 28-24

• Previous ranking: