The Denver Nuggets are the 2023 NBA champs. Providing the franchise its very first title, two-time MVP Nikola Jokic has actually taken that long-awaited next action in his postseason tradition together with his star colleague Jamal Murray
Now what?
What lies ahead for Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat after they made it back to the NBA Finals for the 2nd time in 4 seasons, just to come up brief once again? Do they still believe in their existing lineup in a stacked Eastern Conference that will still boast the star-powered Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers?
The Nuggets will seek to preserve supremacy in the Western Conference next season after travelling through the playoffs. LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, together with Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns, remain in line to challenge Denver, while the Memphis Grizzlies, LA Clippers and New Orleans Pelicans might deal with some hard choices concerning their franchise super stars.
Note: These rankings are based upon where the members of our panel (ESPN’s Kendra Andrews, Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Nick Friedell, Andrew Lopez, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin and Ohm Youngmisuk) believe groups belong heading into next season, taking into consideration prospective gamer motion and the draft. Title chances for 2024 by Caesars Sportsbook.
1. Denver Nuggets
2022-23 record: 53-29
Outcome: Won NBA Finals
2024 title chances: +475
It took 47 seasons– the longest in NBA history prior to winning a very first title– however the Denver Nuggets are lastly world champs. And now that they are champs, the Nuggets look established to repeat. Their beginning 5 of Jokic, Murray, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Michael Porter Jr and Aaron Gordon are all under agreement through a minimum of 2024-25. Keeping important reserve gamer Bruce Brown will be hard. The guard is forecasted to double his wage if he decreases the $6.8 million gamer choice for next season. The Nuggets are a tax group and Brown has non-Bird rights, leaving limit agreement that Denver can provide the guard at $7.8 million. Denver may require to retool its bench with Jeff Green, DeAndre Jordan, Thomas Bryant, Reggie Jackson and Ish Smith amongst their 8 complimentary representatives. However if Jokic, Murray and the Nuggets beginners remain healthy, they have the experience to go back to the Finals and win. — Youngmisuk
2. Boston Celtics
2022-23 record: 57-25
Outcome: Lost East finals
2024 title chances: +575
After coming agonizingly near to being the first string in NBA history to rally from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series, Boston will now go into the offseason attempting to determine what it requires to do to retool. Amongst the choices ahead: whether to offer Jaylen Brown a supermax agreement extension and what to do with limited complimentary representative Grant Williams — Bontemps
3. Miami Heat
2022-23 record: 44-38
Outcome: Lost NBA Finals
2024 title chances: +1800
Miami simply finished among the most not likely Finals runs in NBA history, ending up being just the 2nd No. 8 seed to get to the video game’s supreme phase. After the well-earned acclaims fade from among the most unforgettable postseason runs in franchise history, Heat president Pat Riley will need to make some fascinating choices about his group. Max Strus and Gabe Vincent will both be complimentary representatives. Tyler Herro will need to work his method back after being not available for nearly the totality of the postseason since of a damaged hand. The Heat still require to choose if they will assemble a bundle for a star to couple with Butler. It will be a hectic summertime for the company after a playoff run that will not quickly be forgotten.— Friedell
4. Milwaukee Bucks
2022-23 record: 58-24
Outcome: Lost East preliminary
2024 title chances: +700
The Dollars are aiming to turn the page following a way-sooner-than-expected exit in the playoffs, and it begins with the hiring of Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin as their head coach. Milwaukee prepares for that a brand-new voice will offer a shock for a group that ended up with the very best record in the NBA. The Bucks want to revive center Brook Lopez, who will be an unlimited complimentary representative this summertime. — Collier
5. Philadelphia 76ers
2022-23 record: 54-28
Outcome: Lost East semifinals
2024 title chances: +1200
After working with Nick Nurse to change coach Doc Rivers, all eyes on Philadelphia now rely on James Harden— and whether the super star guard will go back to the 76ers this summertime. If he does, this group is a champion competitor as soon as again. If he does not? Well, work will be needed to get Philadelphia back to that level around ruling MVP Joel Embiid— Bontemps
6. Phoenix Suns
2022-23 record: 45-37
Outcome: Lost West semifinals
2024 title chances: +850
Heading into the 2022 playoffs, the Suns had the very best record in the NBA and the Coach of the Year in Monty Williams. Now? They have a 2nd straight second-round exit and Frank Vogel on the sidelines. Oh, and Kevin Durant using the purple and orange, too. Vogel won a champion in his very first season with the Lakers, pressing all the ideal buttons with LeBron James and Anthony Davis Can he replicate that success with Phoenix’s vibrant duo of Durant and Devin Booker?— Lopez
7. Los Angeles Lakers
2022-23 record: 43-39
Outcome: Lost West finals
2024 title chances: +1200
Prior to being swept by Denver in the conference finals, the Lakers rattled 18 wins in their previous 24 video games from completion of the routine season through the play-in competition and very first 2 rounds of the playoffs– a. 750 winning portion, much better than Milwaukee’s NBA-best mark of.707 for the totality of the 2022-23 routine season. Was that enough of a sample size to encourage L.A. to run it back with the very same core, or will the offseason bring more lineup turmoil?— McMenamin
8. Memphis Grizzlies
2022-23 record: 51-31
Outcome: Lost West preliminary
2024 title chances: +2200
The Grizzlies’ leading concern needs to be assisting Ja Morant handle his off-court problems that likely will lead to a prolonged suspension to begin the season. However that isn’t the only pushing matter in Memphis this summertime. Anticipate basic supervisor Zach Kleiman to strongly pursue a replacement for Dillon Brooks in the trade market, along with exercise a profitable agreement extension for Desmond Bane — MacMahon
9. New York City Knicks
2022-23 record: 47-35
Outcome: Lost East semifinals
2024 title chances: +5000
The Knicks won a playoff series for the very first time in a years. However starting with extension talks with Immanuel Quickley, it will be an interesting summertime in Gotham, as the Knicks weigh what instructions to take as they want to develop off this previous season’s successes.— Bontemps
10. Golden State Warriors
2022-23 record: 44-38
Outcome: Lost West semifinals
2024 title chances: +1200
Bob Myers will not return as GM after stepping down. Draymond Green still needs to choose what to do with his gamer choice. The Warriors’ wage is currently sky-high. The Warriors may not discover it as simple to recover to champion level as they have in the past.— Andrews
11. Sacramento Kings
2022-23 record: 48-34
Outcome: Lost West preliminary
2024 title chances: +2500
Over 50 wins: check. Coach of the Year: check. Clutch Gamer of the Year: check. First playoff look in 16 years– and a seven-game series versus the safeguarding champ Warriors, no less: check. This season was much better than anticipated for the Kings. With every gamer returning next season, Sacramento’s increase ought to continue– however with a much greater bar for success.— Andrews
12. Cleveland Cavaliers
2022-23 record: 51-31
Outcome: Lost East preliminary
2024 title chances: +2800
Cleveland’s 51-win season will eventually be kept in mind for a 4-1 first-round exit at the hands of the Knicks. The obstacle for the Cavs will be updating their offense– they scored 94.2 points per video game in the playoffs– without jeopardizing their league-leading defense. Fortunately is they ought to have time to advance; their core 4 of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen are all 26 years of ages or more youthful.— McMenamin
13. LA Clippers
2022-23 record: 44-38
Outcome: Lost West preliminary
2024 title chances: +1600
The Clippers’ fortunes rest on Kawhi Leonard‘s ideal knee, as he tore the meniscus in the very same knee that needed surgical treatment for a torn ACL. Paul George did not play in the first-round loss to Phoenix since of a best knee sprain. The Clippers will definitely seek to enhance, however the brand-new cumulative bargaining contract guidelines will make it hard to update around their star duo that played simply 38 video games together in 2022-23.— Youngmisuk
14. New Orleans Pelicans
2022-23 record: 42-40
Outcome: Lost West play-in
2024 title chances: +3000
Health, health, health. Whether New Orleans appears like the group from December– when it was tops in the West– or the one that missed out on the play-in competition is going to boil down to health. Zion Williamson missed out on the last 45 video games since of a hamstring injury. Brandon Ingram has actually missed out on 64 regular-season video games over the previous 2 seasons. Things will be searching for for New Orleans if its stars can remain on the court. — Lopez
15. Oklahoma City Thunder
2021-22 record: 40-42
Outcome: Lost West play-in
2023 title chances: +7000
The Thunder were expected to be in the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes however rather discovered themselves one win from slipping in as the No. 8 seed through the play-in competition. And they did it all with Chet Holmgren— the No. 2 total choice from in 2015’s draft– missing out on the whole season since of a foot injury. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ending up being a first-team All-NBA choice and a stockpile of draft selects ahead, the future is brilliant in Oklahoma City.— Lopez
16. Minnesota Timberwolves
2022-23 record: 42-40
Outcome: Lost West preliminary
2024 title chances: +5500
The Timberwolves were not almost as effective as they hoped they would be when they made the smash hit trade to obtain Rudy Gobert last summertime. Sure, injuries tore apart their season. However even entire, the Wolves revealed couple of looks of a group prepared to complete in a stacked West.— Andrews
17. Dallas Mavericks
2022-23 record: 38-44
Outcome: Missed out on postseason
2024 title chances: +1800
The Mavs have their work eliminated to place themselves for a bounce-back project. It stays to be seen if other severe suitors emerge for Kyrie Irving, however he has take advantage of regardless since losing him would be a catastrophe for Dallas. The Mavs likewise should enhance the supporting cast around Luka Doncic and, ideally, Irving. They will likely hang the No. 10 total choice in pursuit of a quality, defensive-minded function gamer who can assist them win right now.— MacMahon
18. Atlanta Hawks
2022-23 record: 41-41
Outcome: Lost East preliminary
2024 title chances: +6000
After being employed midseason, coach Quin Snyder had the ability to lay a structure over the last 28 video games of the routine season, a play-in competition win over the Heat and a six-game series loss to the Celtics in the preliminary. Now, Snyder and Landry Fields, who supervises the group’s basketball operations, need to determine how to take the Hawks to the next level.— Lopez
19. Brooklyn Webs
2022-23 record: 45-37
Outcome: Lost East preliminary
2024 title chances: +12500
The Webs like Mikal Bridges They think in young gamers Web Cam Johnson and Nic Claxton And they hope Ben Simmons can reverse his profession. The Webs have a long method to go to return to champion contention, however they do have choice Nos. 21 and 22 in this month’s NBA draft along with rely on the culture they are putting back together.— Friedell
20. Chicago Bulls
2022-23 record: 40-42
Outcome: Lost East play-in
2024 title chances: +10000
The Bulls might deal with some significant lineup choices with Nikola Vucevic and Coby White getting in complimentary firm. Nevertheless, regardless of missing out on the playoffs this previous season and winning one championship game over 2 projects with this core, Bulls vice president Arturas Karnisovas states he means to keep this lineup undamaged.— Collier
21. Toronto Raptors
2022-23 record: 41-41
Outcome: Lost East play-in
2024 title chances: +6500
The Raptors are working with Grizzlies assistant Darko Rajakovic as the franchise’s replacement for Nick Nurse, however that’s simply the start of their work this summertime. Fred VanVleet will end up being a totally free representative and Gary Trent and Jakob Poeltl are anticipated to join him. 2 more gamers– Pascal Siakam and O.G. Anunoby— are a year far from arriving.— Bontemps
22. Utah Jazz
2022-23 record: 37-45
Outcome: Missed out on postseason
2024 title chances: +15000
Allure have numerous paths as they try to develop around All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen and All-Rookie center Walker Kessler Utah has actually not generally been a totally free firm location, however allure have $30 million in wage cap area, which likewise might have considerable worth in the trade market. In addition, Utah has 3 first-round choices in this month’s draft and a number of additional choices in the years to come after the lineup remodelling over the previous year.— MacMahon
23. Indiana Pacers
2022-23 record: 35-47
Outcome: Missed out on postseason
2024 title chances: +15000
The Pacers remain in reconstructing mode, however the future of their lineup is currently off to a strong start with guard Tyrese Haliburton, who made his very first All-Star Video game this previous season. Indiana likewise owns 3 first-round choices in this month’s draft: Nos. 7, 26 and 29.— Collier
24. Orlando Magic
2022-23 record: 34-48
Outcome: Missed out on postseason
2024 title chances: +12500
The core in Orlando is strong. 2022 No. 1 choice Paolo Banchero is the ruling Novice of the Year. Franz Wagner continues to enter into his own. Wendell Carter Jr. keeps enhancing. And Markelle Fultz is revealing a growing number of why he was the No. 1 choice in 2017. The Magic have the Nos. 6 and 11 choices in this month’s draft in addition to cap area. Things are lastly searching for once again in main Florida. — Friedell
25. Portland Path Sports Jackets
2022-23 record: 33-49
Outcome: Missed out on postseason
2024 title chances: +7500
The Blazers didn’t win the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes, however they did catch the No. 3 choice in the draft. Obviously, Damian Lillard, 32, wishes to bet a competitor and win now. There would be no lack of suitors if Lillard desires a modification of surroundings.— Youngmisuk
26. Washington Wizards
2022-23 record: 35-47
Outcome: Missed out on postseason
2024 title chances: +25000
Group owner Ted Leonsis has a brand-new right-hand guy to restore Wizards basketball in Michael Winger. Winger played a big function in assisting form the Clippers’ lineup, and he will now attempt to reverse a franchise that has actually made the postseason as soon as given that 2017-18. As soon as Winger assembles his front workplace, he can begin to enhance the group with the No. 8 choice in the draft– and see what Bradley Beal wants for his future.— Youngmisuk
27. San Antonio Spurs
2022-23 record: 22-60
Outcome: Missed out on postseason
2024 title chances: +15000
Maybe the greatest postseason relocation of them all– up until now– has actually been the Spurs securing the No. 1 choice in the upcoming draft and the right to pick Victor Wembanyama. Whatever altered for the Spurs when their 14% possibility at the French phenom hit. It will be the 3rd time the Spurs have had the No. 1 total choice in the draft; they took David Robinson in 1987 and Tim Duncan in 1997. — Lopez
28. Houston Rockets
2022-23 record: 22-60
Outcome: Missed out on postseason
2024 title chances: +9000
Tilman Fertitta has actually stated that “Stage 2” of the Firecrackers’ restore started with the hiring of coach Ime Udoka, and the billionaire group owner anticipates Houston to be competitive next season. The long-rumored return of James Harden would assist because regard, however would reviving “The Beard” stunt the advancement of Jalen Green? That’s an issue Green revealed on Paul George’s podcast.— MacMahon
29. Charlotte Hornets
2022-23 record: 27-55
Outcome: Missed out on postseason
2024 title chances: +20000
The Hornets lost out on Victor Wembanyama, however the bright side is with the 2nd choice they ought to have the ability to include a prospective future star in Brandon Miller or Scoot Henderson. With guard LaMelo Ball anticipated to be totally healthy and coach Steve Clifford still running the program, the Hornets appear to lastly have the gamers in location to press out of the East basement.— Friedell
30. Detroit Pistons
2022-23 record: 17-65
Outcome: Missed out on postseason
2024 title chances: +60000
The Pistons currently made a huge splash this offseason by making Monty Williams the highest-paid coach in the NBA to direct their young group. In the meantime, the Pistons are still preaching persistence, however with cap area and the No. 5 choice in the draft, things might be establishing for an interesting offseason in Detroit. — Collier