Jun 24, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; The championship trophy is seen at the 2013 NBA championship rally at the American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
The 2013 NBA Finals ended just a month ago, but it’s never too early to start ranking teams for 2014. Granted, rosters are incomplete with summer league ongoing, and there is still one coaching vacancy to be accounted. Nevertheless, trades, free agent signings and coaching changes happen mid-season as well. There are 30 franchises in the National Basketball Association, but only 16 playoff spots. Realistically, about 20 teams are competing to qualify for the postseason, whereas the rest are competing for the number one overall draft pick. Of course, the real fun is debating where the teams fall within these tiers. If the season started tomorrow, here is one projection of how things would shake out.
(Rosters courtesy of ESPN.com)