We're now a month and change into the NBA season, and the moral of 2024-25 may simply be that, outside of the Boston Celtics (and probably Oklahoma City Thunder), parity reigns.

With the level of talent throughout the league and the current collective bargaining agreement's restraints on team-building, we were bound to get more random results this season.

And that's exactly what we've had.

For the most part, from night to night, it's incredibly difficult to predict who'll win. That's made for more entertaining slates, but it also makes power ranking the league a little trickier.

But that's no excuse. With the same criteria that's guided us for years—team and individual numbers, recent performance, championship chances and a healthy dose of subjectivity—we sorted through all 30 teams below.

30. Washington Wizards (2-15)

Previous Ranking: 30

Net Rating: -14.3

Now over a month into the season, the Washington Wizards have still only beaten one team (the Atlanta Hawks...twice).

And Washington isn't even really threatening opponents in these games.

The Wizards have lost 14 of their 17 total games by at least 10 points. Ten of those have ended with Washington down at least 15.

There have been occasional glimmers of hope from Bilal Coulibaly (perimeter defense), Alexandre Sarr (rim protection) and Bub Carrington (playmaking for himself and others), but watching the Wizards has generally been a painful experience this season.

29. Utah Jazz (4-14)

Previous Ranking: 29

Net Rating: -9.8

It's become abundantly clear that this Utah Jazz campaign is going to be all about where they end up in the 2025 draft lottery.

And that makes sense. There's a lot of young talent there from the last two drafts. And Lauri Markkanen has proved good enough to be one of the most important players on a title contender.

But it still feels like this roster is missing a true franchise cornerstone-level talent to play alongside Markkanen. Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, Dylan Harper or Egor Demin could be such a player, but the Jazz will likely have to land a top-five pick to secure one of those talents.

That means any nick, sprain, swelling or whatever else pops up on the veterans should be milked as much as possible. Utah is actually winning the minutes it plays both Markkanen and John Collins.

And at this point, winning any stretch probably isn't great for the team's long-term prospects.

28. New Orleans Pelicans (4-15)

Previous Ranking: 28

Net Rating: -12.3

We're now 19 games in the season. The New Orleans Pelicans have gotten six appearances each out of Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum and Trey Murphy III. Dejounte Murray just played his second game of the year in Wednesday's blowout loss to the Toronto Raptors. And Jose Alvarado has missed the last eight games.

And now that some of those players are starting to filter back into the rotation, Brandon Ingram has suddenly missed three of New Orleans' last four.

If this persists, the losses keep piling up and the Pelicans have another sub-.500 month in December, they might have to consider leaning into the losing.

They own their own 2025 first-round pick, and adding someone like Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey or Dylan Harper to the core has to be enticing.

27. Philadelphia 76ers (3-14)

Previous Ranking: 27

Net Rating: -8.5

It doesn't look like there's an end in sight for the Philadelphia 76ers' woes.

Joel Embiid and Paul George are both out with knee injuries. Philly is somehow 0-4 in the few games Embiid has managed to play.

And when asked about what can be expected of Embiid for the rest of the season, head coach Nick Nurse said the organization really doesn't know:

If every appearance leads to swelling in his knee, the Sixers might have to think long and hard about just shutting him down and taking things reeeal slow with PG.

The approach would lead to a lot more losing, but it would also give Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain experience and opportunities to lead a team.

And if Philadelphia's 2025 first-round pick stays in the top six, they keep it (otherwise, it goes to the Oklahoma City Thunder).

26. Portland Trail Blazers (7-12)

Previous Ranking: 25

Net Rating: -8.3

The Portland Trail Blazers are on pace to smash last season's win total of 21, but that net rating isn't far off 2023-24's minus-9.0.

That suggests the wins are going to start rolling in less consistently, and the Blazers should again be firmly in the mix for the draft's top pick.

That doesn't mean this season is devoid of reasons to watch. Portland's young core is offering glimmers of hope for the future.

After handing out nine assists in Wednesday's loss to the Indiana Pacers, Scoot Henderson is averaging 5.4 on the season. And though he missed the most recent game with a knee injury, rookie Donovan Clingan averaged 9.1 rebounds, 8.4 points and 2.9 blocks in just 21.9 minutes over his last seven appearances (which included six starts).

25. Toronto Raptors (5-14)

Previous Ranking: 26

Net Rating: -3.7

The Toronto Raptors' record is bad. No doubt about that. But they've gotten just three appearances out of starting guard Immanuel Quickley.

And even after Wednesday's blowout win over the reeling New Orleans Pelicans, RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes have only appeared in five games and played 119 minutes together.

Wednesday, that duo looked great, combining for 39 points, 20 rebounds and 18 assists. Barrett was plus-23, while Barnes was plus-33.

Granted, that came against one of the most injury-ravaged teams in the league, but it was an encouraging result. And once (or if) Quickley joins the two forwards, wins should be easier to come by.

Toronto might actually want to stay in the potentially star-studded lottery, but being in the East also means the Raptors are well within striking distance of a play-in spot.

24. Charlotte Hornets (6-12)

Previous Ranking: 23

Net Rating: -4.8

LaMelo Ball is starting to play a bit like he did in the high school YouTube videos that helped make him famous.

In Wednesday's loss to the Miami Heat, Ball had 32 points, but it took him 35 shots to get there. That's the second most field-goal attempts by a Charlotte Hornets player in a single game in franchise history. And the record? Well, that's the 38 shots he got up against the Milwaukee Bucks earlier this season.

On the season, Ball's 24.9 field-goal attempts per game leads the entire NBA. And while he has a positive net rating swing (meaning Charlotte's point differential per 100 possessions is better when he plays) and a way-above-average box plus/minus, it's easy to wonder if the Hornets would be closer to .500 if he leaned a little harder into distribution.

Moving the ball around and getting plenty of shots for everyone fosters team-wide confidence more than watching the star dance up top for half a possession before launching a contested jumper.

23. Chicago Bulls (8-12)

Previous Ranking: 24

Net Rating: -5.3

The Chicago Bulls' veterans have been good enough to keep the team competitive in plenty of games. They've even pulled off some genuine surprises, such as a win in New York earlier this month.

Over the last two weeks, though, it's become clear Chicago's defense isn't good enough to chase a top-six finish in the East (though the play-in is seemingly never out of reach in that conference).

Since November 13, the Bulls have surrendered 121.8 points per 100 possessions. Only the Brooklyn Nets have a worse defensive rating in that stretch.

22. Detroit Pistons (8-12)

Previous Ranking: 22

Net Rating: -2.2

Things are still, pretty clearly, looking up for the Detroit Pistons. They're already more than halfway to last season's win total of 14. And their net rating is within shouting distance of the top half of the league.

However, Cade Cunningham has missed the last three games, and the Pistons have dropped four of their last five.

On the bright side, being in the East means Detroit is still tied for 10th place. And the absence of Cunningham has given Jaden Ivey a chance to spread his wings a bit.

During these three games without Cunningham, Ivey is putting up 20.3 points and shooting 53.8 percent from deep.

21. Atlanta Hawks (8-11)

Previous Ranking: 19

Net Rating: -4.7

On Wednesday, the Atlanta Hawks reminded everyone why their total for losses is so disappointing this season. This roster has plenty of talent, as evidenced by a 135-124 win over the now-17-2 Cleveland Cavaliers.

Consistent output and effort just hasn't been there (hence, the 2-4 record over their last six).

In Wednesday's win, Trae Young had 22 assists, while three of the largely interchangeable forwards (Zaccharie Risacher, Jalen Johnson and De'Andre Hunter) each had at least 17 points.

If Young's receivers are moving without the ball, getting open and finishing his setups, Atlanta should be able to push toward a top-six seed.

20. Brooklyn Nets (9-10)

Previous Ranking: 20

Net Rating: -1.6

Just when it looked like the Brooklyn Nets might slide into this season's tank race, they've rattled off wins in four of their last five games.

And that includes road victories over the Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns.

During this little run, Cameron Johnson is averaging 20.6 points and 4.0 threes, while Dennis Schröder is at 20.5 points and 7.3 assists.

And with Cam Thomas now set to miss some time with a hamstring injury, those two may have even more opportunities to juice their trade value ahead of February's deadline.

19. Indiana Pacers (9-10)

Previous Ranking: 21

Net Rating: -3.0

It looks like Tyrese Haliburton may finally be breaking out of his slump, and that means the Indiana Pacers could be heading up the Eastern Conference standings soon.

Over his first 15 games, he averaged 15.3 points and 8.5 assists, while shooting 37.5 percent from the field and 28.4 percent from deep. And over the last four, he's at 25.3 points and 10.3 assists, while shooting 47.1 percent from the field and 46.9 percent from three.

It probably goes without saying, but when Haliburton is playing at an All-NBA level, as he did for the first several weeks of 2023-24, the Pacers are a significantly more dynamic team.

18. Miami Heat (8-8)

Previous Ranking: 18

Net Rating: +0.9

The Miami Heat dropped a tight one to the Giannis Antetokounmpo-less Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday, but they've won three of their last four, and it looks like they're starting to get the star version of Jimmy Butler.

This mini run from Miami coincided with Butler returning from a four-game absence, and he's been dominant since coming back.

During this 3-1 stretch, the 35-year-old is averaging 23.0 points and 4.8 assists, and the Heat are plus-46 in his 134 minutes.

17. Minnesota Timberwolves (8-10)

Previous Ranking: 13

Net Rating: +0.9

The Minnesota Timberwolves are in a bit of a tailspin, having lost four straight and seven of their last nine.

And though it's still pretty early, it might already be time to start looking for deals for Julius Randle.

All the fears that accompanied him to Minnesota as part of the Karl-Anthony Towns trade are proving valid. His ball-dominance mucks up the offense and takes possessions away from Anthony Edwards. Opposing defenses not worrying about his shooting makes the floor cramped on offense. And though KAT was no lockdown defender himself, he worked far better in the defensive scheme alongside Rudy Gobert than Randle has.

Through 18 games, Minnesota is plus-0.3 points per 100 possessions with Randle on the floor and plus-3.7 when he's off. And it's not as if this is some outlier month-long stretch. Over the course of his career, his teams have been better with him off the floor

16. Sacramento Kings (9-10)

Previous Ranking: 12

Net Rating: +1.1

The Sacramento Kings are off to a bit of an underwhelming start this season, but they've made some recent changes that might turn things around.

For one thing, Kevin Huerter (who's shooting 28.0 percent from three) was moved to the bench this week. Keon Ellis, who's third on the team in total plus-minus, is in for his defense and, for now, more consistent outside shooting.

But that's not all. Sacramento also signed veteran wing Jae Crowder, who started his first game for the team in Wednesday's road win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

And while the 34-year-old may not change the team's fortunes in some dramatic way, his toughness and leadership should at least make the Kings a little deeper.

15. San Antonio Spurs (10-9)

Previous Ranking: 17

Net Rating: -0.1

The acquisition of Chris Paul has paid immediate dividends for the San Antonio Spurs.

Last season, through 19 games, they had just three wins. And even in an 18-point loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, CP3 was plus-1 on the night.

On the season, the Spurs are plus-3.9 points per 100 possessions with Paul on the floor and minus-5.8 when he's off.

With his playmaking and engineering of individual possessions, San Antonio has been significantly tougher to defend, and life has been easier for Victor Wembanyama, whose true shooting percentage is up almost three points from where it was as a rookie.

14. Los Angeles Lakers (11-7)

Previous Ranking: 9

Net Rating: -1.2

The Los Angeles Lakers were in desperate need of a win on Wednesday, and they got one against the San Antonio Spurs.

After a heartbreaking loss to the Orlando Magic that ended with a Franz Wagner buzzer-beater and two blowouts at the hands of the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns, L.A. beat San Antonio, 119-101.

And new coach JJ Redick leaned into an offense-first starting five with Austin Reaves, Dalton Knecht, LeBron James (who had a triple-double), Rui Hachimura and Anthony Davis.

There is a concern that group simply puts too much pressure on Davis' defense and rim protection, but it may have enough shooting and playmaking to overcome that weakness.

Reaves, Knecht, James and Hachimura are shooting a combined 41.0 percent from deep.

13. Phoenix Suns (10-8)

Previous Ranking: 14

Net Rating: -1.4

After missing seven games with a calf strain, Kevin Durant returned for the Phoenix Suns this week.

And while he was solid individually, the team results remained uneven.

They walloped the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, but they lost to the Brooklyn Nets by double digits at home the next night.

For the entire season, only two of their 10 wins have been by double digits, and the Suns are being outscored by 7.1 points per 100 possessions when Durant is off the floor.

None of that adds up to the profile of a title contender.

12. Los Angeles Clippers (12-8)

Previous Ranking: 15

Net Rating: +3.0

Even the most optimistic Los Angeles Clippers fans couldn't have predicted this.

Despite losing Paul George in free agency and still waiting on Kawhi Leonard's season debut, they are in the top six in the loaded West, have a top-five defense and are getting an age-defying 16th season from James Harden.

In Wednesday's road win over the Washington Wizards, the 35-year-old erupted for 43 points in just 32 minutes. And through 20 games, he's averaging 21.6 points, 8.7 assists, 7.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals.

At this point, it might even be fair to wonder if Leonard's eventual return will throw off the vibes at all.

11. Milwaukee Bucks (9-9)

Previous Ranking: 16

Net Rating: +0.3

Things are looking up for the Milwaukee Bucks, who just capped off the week with a Giannis Antetokounmpo-less victory over the Miami Heat (in Miami).

They're now 7-1 in their last eight, and the individual performance of both superstars is taking off.

During this stretch, Giannis is putting up 33.4 points, 10.9 rebounds, 7.9 assists and 2.1 blocks, while Damian Lillard is at 26.0 points, 9.8 assists and 3.2 threes.

The thing is, the big moments from both have rarely coincided. Only one game this season has featured a 25-plus game score from both (November 13 against the Detroit Pistons). And each has missed some time during this eight-game run.

Once their big games start to line up a bit more often, Milwaukee should fly up the Eastern Conference standings.

10. Denver Nuggets (10-7)

Previous Ranking: 5

Net Rating: +1.8

Even accounting for the parity mentioned at the top of this article, the Denver Nuggets' 10-7 start has felt very uneven. One night, they're crushing the Los Angeles Lakers on the road; the next, they're getting crushed by the New York Knicks at home.

That may have something to do with Nikola Jokić missing three games and Aaron Gordon being out since early November, but the biggest culprit is likely Jamal Murray.

During the 2023 playoff run that ended with a championship, he looked like the modern-day Kobe Bryant. This season, he's shooting 41.5 percent from the field and 32.6 percent from three, while getting blown by and missing rotations on defense.

If the Nuggets are going to return to that contenders' tier, Murray has to be a lot closer to the playoff version of himself.

9. New York Knicks (10-8)

Previous Ranking: 7

Net Rating: +5.4

It's been an up-and-down season for the New York Knicks, and this week was sort of a microcosm of that.

On Monday, they smashed Nikola Jokić's Denver Nuggets (in Denver) and scored 145 points. But the week was bookended with losses to the rebuilding Utah Jazz and a Dallas Mavericks squad without Luka Dončić.

And if you're looking for a reason for the inconsistency, you don't have to go much further than the defense. New York is scoring a whopping 122.1 points per 100 possessions (a mark that trails only the Cleveland Cavaliers), but it's surrendering 116.6 (a mark that ranks 24th).

This certainly isn't characteristic of a Tom Thibodeau-coached team and should maybe even be encouraging for Knicks fans.

Even with the bad defense, New York is above .500 and has a top-10 net rating. Thibodeau is likely to get this team working better on the less glamorous end of the floor (with the help of solid wing defenders such as OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges). And if the offense stays where it is, the Knicks could start to look like a borderline juggernaut.

8. Memphis Grizzlies (12-7)

Previous Ranking: 11

Net Rating: +7.6

After the Memphis Grizzlies went 5-3 during Ja Morant's eight-game absence due to a hip injury, the star point guard returned this week and went for 22 points and 11 assists in a win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Then, the team announced he'd be out for the following game, this time for a knee contusion.

Given his slight frame and the recklessness with which he plays, this just might be the norm for Morant and the Grizzlies, but this team is built to survive when he's out.

It was against the sub-.500 Detroit Pistons, but Scotty Pippen Jr. went for 19 points and 9-of-12 shooting Wednesday's win, while six other Grizzlies scored in double figures.

7. Dallas Mavericks (11-8)

Previous Ranking: 10

Net Rating: +6.1

Luka Dončić has missed five of the Dallas Mavericks' last six games, and his team has won four of the five absences.

Much of the roster, including solid defenders such as P.J. Washington, Naji Marshall, Quentin Grimes, Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford, deserves credit, but the lion's share has to go to Kyrie Irving.

On the season, Irving is averaging 24.5 points, 5.4 assists and 3.1 threes, while shooting 46.6 percent from deep. And he's opened up a pretty comfortable lead over Dončić on the team's 2024-25 wins over replacement player leaderboard.

6. Orlando Magic (13-7)

Previous Ranking: 8

Net Rating: +5.3

Things felt pretty bleak after the Orlando Magic lost their first four games without Paolo Banchero, who's been out with an oblique injury since November 1.

However, after a blowout victory over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, Orlando has now won 10 of its last 11 games. And during that stretch, their two leading scorers are the Brothers Wagner.

Franz is at 27.0 points, 6.9 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 2.3 steals, while Moritz is adding 14.7 points and 4.7 rebounds in just 20.2 minutes.

With the confidence those two are gaining in larger roles, the Magic could be a near lock to finish in the top four after Banchero comes back.

5. Houston Rockets (14-6)

Previous Ranking: 6

Net Rating: +8.4

The Houston Rockets have undoubtedly taken a big step forward, and that applies to just about everyone on the roster.

Prior to Wednesday's win over the Philadelphia 76ers, though, one starter seemed to be lagging behind.

Through his first 19 games, Jalen Green was shooting 38.1 percent from the field and 30.3 percent from deep. And more importantly, the team's net rating was dramatically better when he was off the floor.

His shoot-first, defense-last game make him, at best, a tricky fit for Houston's otherwise egalitarian offense and rigid defense.

But on Wednesday, Green dropped 41 points on 12-of-20 shooting. He drew 14 free-throw attempts. It was a reminder of the offensive upside he can bring. And though he's obviously not going to drop 40-plus every night, defenses knowing he's capable will make life easier for every other Rocket on the floor.

4. Golden State Warriors (12-6)

Previous Ranking: 3

Net Rating: +7.0

Stephen Curry missed the Golden State Warriors' last game of the week with "patellofemoral pain" in his knee, but their little slide toward the middle of the West began earlier.

Following their loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, the Warriors have now dropped three straight and four of their last six. And it's starting to feel like they might need more from the young core (especially now De'Anthony Melton is out for the season with an ACL tear).

On the year, Jonathan Kuminga is shooting 30.5 percent from deep. Brandin Podziemski has been even worse, making only 19.7 percent of his threes. And despite starting all but the team's most recent game, Trayce Jackson-Davis has a negative net rating swing.

Golden State has still been better than most could have expected at this point in the season, but realistic contention for Curry's fifth title may require another developmental step from one or two of the above.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers (17-2)

Previous Ranking: 2

Net Rating: +10.5

After starting 15-0, the Cleveland Cavaliers have suddenly lost two of their last four. And it's probably fair to point out that, to this point in the season, they have the league's lowest (or easiest) strength of schedule.

Still, there isn't much to nitpick here. Kenny Atkinson's rotation makes more sense than last season's. The ball-handling balance between Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland has been fine, and the offense hasn't felt too cramped when Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen are both on the floor.

On the season, Mitchell is averaging 24.7 points and 3.9 assists. Garland is at 20.2 points and 6.9 assists. Mobley is adding 17.8 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.1 steals. And Allen is at 14.9 points, 11.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder (14-4)

Previous Ranking: 4

Net Rating: +10.7

Losing Chet Holmgren was a big deal for the Oklahoma City Thunder, but Isaiah Hartenstein looks more than ready to fill his shoes as a different, though perhaps not much less versatile, big man.

The 26-year-old has been in the lineup for three games now, the Thunder have won them all and he has led the way in individual plus-minus twice (and was only two points off the lead in the other game).

Over his three appearances, he's averaging 15.3 points, 12.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.0 blocks.

He would've helped even if Holmgren hadn't gone down, but Hartenstein's rim protection, rebounding and underrated passing feel even more important now. And they've allowed the Thunder to keep rolling through opponents without, arguably, their second-best player.

1. Boston Celtics (15-3)

Previous Ranking: 1

Net Rating: +10.7

The Boston Celtics certainly didn't need any reinforcements, but they got some anyway this week.

Kristaps Porziņģis returned from offseason ankle surgery on Monday, had 16 points and two blocks in 23 minutes and helped the Celtics crush the tougher-than-expected Los Angeles Clippers, 126-94.

Last season (and postseason), when the big man was on the floor with Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, Boston was plus-11.9 points per 100 possessions.

With KP's outside shooting, driving lanes are more open for the other four Celtics. And his rim protection allows them to be more defensively aggressive on the perimeter.

The blowouts are about to be even more regular for Boston.

Stat of the Week

On Wednesday, LeBron James was 39 years and 333 days old. And the triple-double he notched against the San Antonio Spurs made him the second-oldest player in NBA history to record the feat.

In 2003, Karl Malone had one at 40 years and 127 days old.

But here's the fun part. LeBron now has 11 of the 12, we'll call them oldest, triple-doubles the league has ever seen. And given the way he's playing this season (he already has six), his dominance of that leaderboard is only going to grow.

Next season, it's hard to imagine Malone's record still being safe.