NBA Power Rankings: Post All-Star Break Edition

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers and Grant Williams, Boston Celtics. Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers and Grant Williams, Boston Celtics. Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images /
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LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers. Photo by Harry How/Getty Images /

team. 34. . 29-31. . Portland Trail Blazers. 20

The Portland Trail Blazers acted something like a seller at the Trade Deadline, sending out veterans like Josh Hart and Gary Payton II for draft capital and fliers. What they didn’t send out was Damian Lillard, who might just will them to the Play-In Tournament himself. He just dropped 71 points on Sunday in an evisceration of the Houston Rockets.

Los Angeles Lakers. 19. team. 20. . 29-32.

The Los Angeles Lakers made a massive move at the NBA Trade Deadline, turning Russell Westbrook and a first-round pick into three quality rotation players. The Lakers have a legitimate NBA rotation now, and LeBron James is locked in and determined not to miss the postseason. After a huge comeback win in Dallas on Sunday, the Lakers could rise up this list in the coming days.

34-26. . Brooklyn Nets. 18. team. 147.

The Brooklyn Nets are packed with players who deserve to be 3-6 in the rotation on a contending team. They reshaped their team more than any other at the NBA Trade Deadline, moving Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving for a collection of solid role players. They are competitive in every game, Mikal Bridges continues to impress, and Cam Thomas is a revelation as a scoring guard. This team doesn’t have the shot creation to make any postseason noise, but they have a great foundation for the future.

17. team. 86. . 31-32. . Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves have righted the ship after a shaky start, largely without Karl-Anthony Towns, but they are certainly not the caliber of team they hoped to be in trading for Rudy Gobert. Anthony Edwards has taken a step, but he also has inexplicably bad games where he looks out of it (12 points on 19 shots in their most recent loss). Adding Mike Conley at the deadline gives them a solid vet who fits with anyone, hopefully enough to let the Wolves finally find their footing.

Utah Jazz. 16. team. 118. . 31-31.

The Utah Jazz didn’t trick themselves into buying at the Trade Deadline, instead moving multiple veterans at the deadline to add draft capital and try to slip down the standings. The problem is that they continue to be competitive, lead by All-Star Lauri Markkanen, and are at .500 with 20 games to go. The front office probably hopes they drop back a bit down the stretch.