The NBA season is still a few months away, so most fans still have plenty of time to get pumped up about the upcoming season. However, our friends at Basketball Reference have already started looking ahead, and they’ve come up with a handy list of the most likely records for each NBA team—and Brooklyn might just walk away with the top spot. The Nets’ record might seem almost too good to be true, but it’s based on a few key factors.
The NBA has had its ups and downs in recent years. The league has seen its Rockets and Thunder teams rise back to the top after losing their best players. The same went for the rebuilding Bulls who returned to the top after losing their stars. But, some teams seem to be on an upward swing while others are struggling.
The NBA season is almost here, and it’s time to predict the win-loss records for each team—as if it were a game of poker. Some teams have gone through major roster changes, while others have remained virtually the same. Here are the standings for the 15 teams, as well as their individual records to date, along with predictions for the rest of the season.
With less than two months before the start of the 2021-2022 NBA season, it’s nearly here. There are many intriguing stories, including various superteams and some promising new players eager to create a name for themselves. Which clubs, on the other hand, will have the greatest records in the league?
It’s time to forecast each NBA team’s win-loss record for the 2021 season. While the most skilled teams will have the greatest records, owing to strong competition in their conferences, several other teams may struggle to make an impression. While anything can happen during an NBA season, such as big deals or injuries, here’s what we can anticipate towards the conclusion of next season.
The Orlando Magic are ranked 30th in the NBA, with a record of 17-65.
This summer, the Magic are expected to have the poorest record in the NBA. They made a good choice in selecting Jalen Suggs to be a cornerstone with Jonathan Isaac, but they are short on other options. Orlando is obviously on the verge of rebuilding, and will almost certainly tank the rest of the season in the hopes of getting another top selection in next year’s draft.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are ranked 29th in the NBA, with a score of 21-61.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are another rebuilding club that has no qualms about tanking the season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a promising young player, and guard Josh Giddey has high expectations from the organization. The Thunder will have the poorest record in the Western Conference while they rebuild.
The Pistons are ranked 28th in the NBA, with a record of 25-57.
Cade Cunningham, the brightest light on a rebuilding team, will be the standout for Detroit all year. Killian Hayes and Saddiq Bey should develop for the Pistons, while other young players like Sekou Doumbouya should start making an impact on the club. However, as they progress, the Pistons will most certainly find themselves at the basement of the Eastern Conference once again.
The Houston Rockets are ranked 27th in the NBA, with a record of 26-56.
With Kevin Porter Jr. and Christian Wood playing starter minutes, the Houston Rockets feel they have the greatest scorer in the draft in Jalen Green, and they have a bright future. Houston, on the other hand, is at least a few years away from being a significant Western threat, which means they will once again have a losing record.
San Antonio Spurs are ranked 26th in the NBA, with a record of 27-55.
It’s odd to watch the San Antonio Spurs under Gregg Popovich playing like a poor team, but that’s the truth of their position right now. The Spurs have lost DeMar DeRozan, leaving them without a top player to lead them to a winning record. By the conclusion of next season, Gregg Popovich will have broken the all-time wins record as a coach, and the Spurs will be in the lottery.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are ranked 25th in the NBA, with a record of 27-55.
Minnesota was the third-worst seed in the West last season and may be in danger of doing so again this year. The Timberwolves have two great players with tremendous skill in Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards, so the core is in place. The Timberwolves may find a way to connect on both sides of the court and compete for the eighth spot, but it is doubtful based on last season’s results.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are ranked 24th in the NBA, with a record of 28-54.
With Evan Mobley, the Cleveland Cavaliers have a potential star on their hands, and his tandem with Jarrett Allen will be tough to score against. Collin Sexton and Darius Garland are on the verge of having better seasons, and the former may be traded to help the team strengthen their squad in the future.
The Washington Wizards are ranked 23rd in the NBA, with a record of 33-49.
Without Russell Westbrook, Washington will not just fold and die. Along with star Bradley Beal, they’re reuniting with Spencer Dinwiddie, Kyle Kuzma, and Montrezl Harrell as supporting players. The Wizards will have some wonderful moments, but with a new roster, there will be some growing pains.
Sacramento Kings (22nd) – 34-48
The Sacramento Kings are a good squad, but they’ll most likely be looking to trade for guys to complement De’Aaron Fox. The present squad is unlikely to remain the same at the conclusion of the season, thus their record may change. Overall, they’ll be battling to return to the playoffs.
The Toronto Raptors are ranked 21st in the NBA, with a record of 34-48.
Last season, Toronto was a complete catastrophe, going 27-45 and missing the playoffs. The Raptors seem to be all-in on Pascal Siakam, with rumors claiming that they will not move him. However, if the club does not seem to be playoff-bound by the trade deadline, trading Siakam for future components for a rebuild does not seem like a terrible idea.
The New Orleans Pelicans are ranked 20th in the NBA, with a record of 40-42.
The Pelicans should be better than they were last season, but Zion Williamson may miss the playoffs once again. Because the Pelicans’ superstar can score, rebound, and even handle the ball, we should continue to witness his ascent, which is a positive thing for them. New Orleans, on the other hand, has yet to frighten anybody.
Memphis Grizzlies (#19) – 41-41
Ja Morant’s ascension to superstardom should continue, and it may very well happen this season. Last season, the Grizzlies reached the playoffs by beating Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors in a play-in game, but they will most likely miss out this season. In the West, the battle is fierce, and a dominant Damian Lillard will ensure that Portland takes the eighth spot.
The Indiana Pacers are ranked 18th in the NBA, with a 41-41 record.
Rick Carlisle’s arrival is a significant role in the Pacers’ quest for a postseason spot, but they will likely fall short. Other East teams (Knicks, Heat) have significantly improved and will make it difficult for the Pacers to finish above.500. The Pacers have a great future ahead of them, therefore they should position themselves appropriately.
Hornets of Charlotte – 43-39
The Hornets are one of the most interesting teams in the Eastern Conference, due in large part to LaMelo Ball, but they will miss the playoffs this season. Ball is just 20 years old, therefore he has more than a decade to play like a true superstar. The Hornets are on the rise, but they will miss the playoffs once again in 2022.
The Trail Blazers are ranked 16th in the NBA, with a 44-38 record.
Damian Lillard is in Portland for the time being, and if he sticks there for the rest of the season, he will lead the team to the playoffs. The Trail Blazers still have C.J. McCollum as their top player, thus his offensive skills will make them a difficult team to beat. However, if Lillard is dealt, Portland may potentially be sent to the lottery.
The New York Knicks are ranked 15th in the NBA, with a 45-37 record.
With Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier, the Knicks have improved, and they now have a strong core of players that can help them get beyond the first round of the playoffs. New York will be a formidable club in the East, and will field a stronger squad than last year’s pushovers. There are bright days ahead for Knicks fans, especially with Julius Randle leading the way.
The Boston Celtics are ranked 14th in the NBA, with a record of 46-36.
The Boston Celtics are unlikely to win the NBA title next season, but that isn’t their aim. The objective is to get Jaylen Brown healthy, develop Jayson Tatum, and build a strategy for future free agency seasons. Tatum has a shot to get into the NBA’s top ten players, and it might happen next season. However, with their present lineup, the Celtics are unlikely to go beyond the first round.
The Chicago Bulls are ranked 13th in the NBA, with a record of 46-36.
The Chicago Bulls have strengthened on both sides of the court this summer, making them one of the greatest winners. DeMar DeRozan and Lonzo Ball round out a solid starting lineup with agility, scoring, and defense. The Bulls will almost certainly make the playoffs and will be a danger to go beyond the first round. Chicago won’t win a championship next season, but it’s a fantastic start for a team in desperate need of a victory.
The Dallas Mavericks are ranked 12th in the NBA, with a record of 46-36.
Next season, Luka Doncic could be the MVP favorite, which implies Dallas will reach the playoffs once again. The Mavericks lost Rick Carlisle, but Jason Kidd, who was an all-time great playmaker, may help Luka improve even more. Kristaps Porzingis must reclaim his All-Star form or the Mavericks will be eliminated in the first round once again.
The Philadelphia 76ers are ranked 11th in the NBA, with a record of 50-32.
The 76ers will have to do a lot of preparation moving ahead because Ben Simmons is obviously not the guy for them. If the Sixers are unable to locate a viable replacement for their All-Star point guard, they will be forced to begin the season with Simmons, which might be uncomfortable. In any case, unless they can get Damian Lillard, the Sixers will not reach the Eastern Conference Finals next season.
Los Angeles Clippers (10th) – 52-30
The Clippers have dropped in the power rankings as a result of the length of time Kawhi Leonard is expected to miss. To keep the Clippers alive, Paul George will need to be an MVP-caliber player, and he should be in the MVP competition as a result. However, unless Kawhi Leonard returns sooner than anticipated, Los Angeles will have to settle with a lower seed in the Western Conference.
The Golden State Warriors are ranked ninth in the NBA, with a record of 53-29.
Klay Thompson will return, ensuring that the Warriors will compete in the postseason. They have the potential to be a playoff force as is, but a trade for another All-Star player might put them over the top. The return of the Splash Brothers will keep things intriguing in Golden State throughout the season.
The Atlanta Hawks are ranked eighth in the league with a 54-28 record.
The Hawks are a fantastic squad, and they’ll prove it once again in 2022. Trae Young is a baller who, in his fourth season, will cement his position as one of the greatest guards in the NBA. Atlanta will be aiming to return to the Eastern Conference Finals, and based on their performance last season, they have a good chance of doing so. The addition of Cam Reddish and De’Andre Hunter to an already talented squad strengthens it even more.
The Nuggets are ranked 7th in the NBA, with a record of 55-27.
The Nuggets will be in contention for the title as long as they have Nikola Jokic, the reigning MVP, on their roster. Because they severely missed Jamal Murray’s scoring abilities in last year’s playoffs, their season hinges on his return. Regardless, Denver will be a fantastic team that will easily reach the playoffs.
The Utah Jazz are ranked sixth in the NBA, with a record of 56-26.
The Utah Jazz had the best record in the NBA last season, but that is unlikely to happen again. The Lakers have regained full vigor, and the Nets have completed a full season. The Jazz will be a playoff contender even if they don’t have the best record in the league, and Donovan Mitchell may take another huge stride forward in his on-court performance and leadership.
The Miami Heat are ranked fifth in the NBA, with a record of 56-26.
The Miami Heat, a club with a solid starting roster, were one of the greatest free agent winners. Kyle Lowry is really a game-changing talent for a club in desperate need of a point guard. The Heat, apart from the Nets, are the most playoff-ready and motivated team in the league.
The Phoenix Suns are the fourth-best team in the NBA, with a record of 58-24.
Chris Paul has finally seen what it’s like to play in the NBA Finals, and he’ll do all he can to get the Suns back there. Nobody is going to ignore the Suns this time, so they’ll be up against it from the start of the regular season. However, they are undoubtedly one of the greatest teams in the NBA and will finish second in the Western Conference.
The Milwaukee Bucks are ranked third in the NBA, with a 59-23 record.
Because the Bucks are the defending NBA champions, they will be a top-3 club in the league. Even with the loss of P.J. Tucker, Giannis Antetokounmpo will most certainly be in contention for his third MVP Award, and the club is still loaded with talent. Milwaukee is the East’s second-best squad and will be attempting to repeat as NBA champs.
2. The Los Angeles Lakers, who won 62-20.
Even if Russell Westbrook isn’t a natural match alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Los Angeles Lakers will win the Western Conference. On a physical level, Westbrook, James, and Davis are unstoppable and will thrash opponents all season. The Lakers will return to the NBA Finals if they are completely healthy.
The Brooklyn Nets are the first team in the standings, with a record of 66-16.
No club can defeat the Brooklyn Nets when they are healthy. Kevin Durant may be the greatest player in the world, so it’s only appropriate that he wins his third title after winning gold in the Olympics. Also unstoppable are James Harden and Kyrie Irving, and this Big Three cannot be beaten in a seven-game series. The Nets will keep their composure throughout the season, but they will still finish with the best record in the NBA.
Next
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