NBA Power Rankings: Knicks, Thunder emerge as biggest threats to Celtics as free agency wraps up

1

Celtics

The Celtics just lost a total of three playoff games on their way to the 2024 title. They’re bringing everyone back. Let’s not make this difficult.

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64-18

2

Thunder

OKC addressed its one weakness (rebounding) by signing Isaiah Hartenstein and added to its already lethal stable of perimeter defenders by trading for Alex Caruso. This looks like the best team in the Western Conference.

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57-25

3

Knicks

Adding Mikal Bridges and re-signing OG Anunoby takes this team to the top tier of potential Boston beaters. The Knicks can credibly line up against the Celtics’ perimeter attack on both ends and Jalen Brunson is an MVP-level star whose offensive clarity has not been compromised.

3

50-32

4

Timberwolves

Despite being eliminated by Dallas in this past season’s WCF that was closer than the five-game series would indicate, Minnesota slots slightly higher than the Mavs heading into next season on the strength of a more reliably elite defense and another year under the belt of emerging MVP candidate Anthony Edwards.

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Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-power-rankings-knicks-thunder-emerge-as-biggest-threats-to-celtics-as-free-agency-wraps-up/

Author : Brad Botkin

Publish date : 2024-07-09 14:06:14

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