NBA 2025-26 power rankings: Where Knicks stand

Nearly two weeks after Oklahoma City ascended to the NBA throne, a slew of big names have switched teams in trades and the first week of free agency to alter the landscape of the contenders chasing the Thunder in the league’s pecking order. 

There also are zero head coaching openings after the Knicks hired Mike Brown this week, making this a good time to update The Post’s NBA power rankings, with more moves sure to follow over the rest of the summer. 

The clear-cut leader 

1. Thunder

OKC validated its 68-win regular season by capturing the franchise’s first title since relocating from Seattle in 2008. The Thunder have a strong chance to add more rings with a stellar core of league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Willians, Chet Holmgren and Lu Dort all 26 or younger. 

Legit Finals contenders 

2. Rockets

Houston has improved from 22 to 41 to 52 wins in the first two seasons under Ime Udoka, and they went all-in by trading for Kevin Durant to attempt to challenge in the West after losing to the Warriors in the first round. 

3. Cavaliers

Kenny Atkinson earned Coach of the Year honors in Year 1 with a 64-18 campaign and the top seed in the East, but this group — fronted by Donovan Mitchell and DPOY Evan Mobley — still hasn’t gotten past the second round of the playoffs. This is their window with the drastically changing landscape in the East because of injuries. 

4. Knicks

The same goes for the Knicks after the team’s first trip to the conference finals since 2000. They are banking on Brown getting them there after firing Tom Thibodeau, and they’ve brought in a couple of needed bench pieces — Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele — behind All-Stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. 

5. Nuggets

Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic and Denver took OKC to seven games in the second round, and they’ve addressed their depth issues by adding Cam Johnson in a trade with the Nets, plus Bruce Brown, Jonas Valanciunas and Tim Hardaway Jr. 

The next tier 

6. Magic

Orlando made the playoffs despite lengthy injury absences for Paolo Banchero and the Wagner brothers, and they dealt four first-round picks for Desmond Bane for a legit chance to move into the top tier in the power-shifting East. 

7. Timberwolves

Minnesota has reached the Western finals the past two years, and re-signed Julius Randle and Naz Reid as complements to All-Star guard Anthony Edwards. 

8. Lakers

Obviously, everything changes if LeBron James decides to chase another ring elsewhere after two straight first-round eliminations. But the 40-year-old LBJ willed the Lakers to 50 wins last year, and they will get a full year of Luka Doncic in 2025-26. They’ve also imported center Deandre Ayton this summer. 

9. Clippers

James Harden is coming off a revival season and Kawhi Leonard is healthy for now, but will the addition of Brook Lopez be enough to propel the Clippers in the playoffs after three straight first-round oustings? 

10. Pistons

J.B. Bickerstaff’s physical team impressed against the Knicks in the first round after a 30-win improvement in the regular season. A healthy Jaden Ivey alongside Cade Cunningham makes for a dynamic backcourt pairing. 

The second 10 

11. Grizzlies

Memphis locked up Jaren Jackson to pair long term with Ja Morant, and replaced Bane with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ty Jerome. 

12. Warriors

As long as Steph Curry is firing away and hitting from deep and Draymond Green is wreaking havoc, Golden State remains relevant. 

13. Celtics

Jayson Tatum is injured, while Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday were traded. Who will step up around Jaylen Brown and Derrick White? 

14. Spurs

It’s time for Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs to make their move in his third season. 

15. 76ers

Questions typically surround the health of Joel Embiid, Paul George and even Tyrese Maxey, but if they are in the lineup, this still can be a playoff team in the East. 

16. Hawks

Interesting roster with the additions of Porzingis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard to Trae Young, Zaccharie Risacher and Jalen Johnson. 

17. Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo is still there, as is free-agent signing Myles Turner, even if Lopez and injured and waived Damian Lillard are not. 

18. Mavericks

All eyes will be on how soon No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg can make an impact with Anthony Davis, especially with Kyrie Irving sidelined. 

19. Pacers

Tyrese Haliburton (torn Achilles) and Turner have been deleted from the team that knocked out the Knicks and took OKC to seven games in the NBA Finals. 

20. Kings

There’s still some talent here with veteran point guard Dennis Schröder added to a group featuring Domantas Sabonis, Malik Monk, Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan. 

Play-in possibilities 

21. Heat

Miami still has Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and resourceful coach Erik Spoelstra. 

22. Suns

Phoenix has replaced KD with Jalen Green, but how will he mesh with Devin Booker? 

23. Trail Blazers

Fun, young team with Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe and Donovan Clingan. 

24. Bulls

Not much left here beyond Nikola Vucevic, Josh Giddey and Coby White. 

Not there yet 

25. Raptors

A core of Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Brandon Ingram and Immanuel Quickley still has room to improve. 

26. Pelicans

Zion Williamson has played 30 or fewer games in four of his six years in New Orleans. 

27. Hornets

LaMelo Ball similarly has appeared in just 105 games the past three seasons. 

28. Wizards

Picked up vets CJ McCollum and Kelly Olynyk to go along with Marcus Smart and Khris Middleton. 

29. Nets

Rebuilding Brooklyn made five first-round picks after trading away pretty much everyone aside from Cam Thomas and Nic Claxton. 

30. Jazz

Ace Bailey will either be a home run draft pick or a disaster, but it should be fun to watch either way.