Post by FLCeltsFan on Dec 16, 2009 7:50:40 GMT -5
Future Power Rankings
5How will your favorite team fare in future seasons? Our experts take a close look
Comment Email Print Share By Chad Ford and John Hollinger
ESPN.com
ESPN.com Illustration
The rookie class is making quite the impression, giving many teams brighter futures in the big picture.
Note: This is a new, updated version of the ESPN's Future Power Rankings of NBA teams. The original edition launched on November 10.
The Future Power Rankings are ESPN Insider's projection of the on-court success expected for each team during the 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons.
How Future Power Rating Is Determined
PLAYERS (0 to 400 points): Current players and their potential for the future, factoring in expected departures
MANAGEMENT (0 to 200 points): Quality and stability of front office, ownership, coaching
MONEY (0 to 200 points): Projected salary-cap situation; ability and willingness to exceed cap and pay luxury tax
MARKET (0 to 100 points): Appeal to future acquisitions based on team quality, franchise reputation, city's desirability as a destination, market size, taxes, business and entertainment opportunities, arena quality, fans
DRAFT (0 to 100 points): Future draft picks; draft positioning
CATEGORY RANKINGS: See how each team ranked in each category
Consider this a convenient way to see in what direction your favorite team is headed.
Each of the NBA's 30 teams received an overall Future Power Rating of 0 to 1,000, based on how well we expected each team to perform in the three seasons following this season.
To determine the Future Power Rating, we rated each team in five categories (see table at right).
As you can see, we determined that the most important category was a team's current players and the future potential of those players -- that category accounted for 40 percent of each team's overall Future Power Rating.
At the same time, we looked at many other factors, such as management, ownership, coaching, a team's spending habits, its cap situation, the reputation of the city and the franchise, and what kind of draft picks we expected the team to have in the future.
To reach our ratings in each category, we talked to teams to get a handle on their future strategies, we looked at their contractual commitments and we carefully broke down each roster to figure out which players would improve, which would decline and which would likely depart.
We expect these rankings to evolve as the season moves along, trades are made, injuries occur, strategies shift, and so on. Return from time to time as we update the rankings.
Here are our current rankings, from 1 to 30:
Future Power Rankings: 1-5 | 6-10 | 11-15 | 16-20 | 21-25 | 26-30
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1. Orlando Magic | Future Power Rating: 695
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
370 (1st) 147 (6th) 82 (25th) 73 (4th) 23 (27th)
The Magic are the new No. 1 thanks to a strong start to 2009-10 and the struggles for former No. 1 Portland. With a 17-5 start despite numerous injuries and a 10-game suspension for Rashard Lewis, one has to conclude the Magic's formidable depth makes them title contenders regardless of what's thrown their way. Ryan Anderson's strong start improved the score for their players and the other ratings stayed the same.
The scary part is Orlando could still improve considerably. Big men Marcin Gortat and Brandon Bass hardly play, but each is a desirable trade chip that the Magic could move for more help at midseason.
(Previous rank: 2)
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2. Los Angeles Lakers | Future Power Rating: 675
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
336 (2nd) 139 (9th) 95 (15th) 95 (1st) 10 (30th)
The Lakers moved from third to second after Portland's early-season struggles, but the strong return of Andrew Bynum also helped boost the score for their players by 18 points. The fact Ron Artest has been a solid citizen thus far also helps their score, although the Lakers have to be concerned about sluggish starts by Lamar Odom and Derek Fisher. In fact, their aging core is their biggest risk going forward.
The other big question is the status of Phil Jackson -- we'd give the Lakers an upgrade in management if we knew the Zen Master would be sticking around a while longer. What isn't in question is that Byrant, Bynum and Pau Gasol make up the league's top triumvirate, and as long as that remains the case, the Lakers' prospects seem as bright as the Southern California sun.
(Previous rank: 3)
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3. Oklahoma City Thunder | Future Power Rating: 661
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
296 (3rd) 142 (7th) 125 (6th) 35 (23rd) 62 (10th)
The Thunder's strong start propelled them to third in the rankings, as the good play of rookie James Harden and the continued progress of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook caused us to move the Thunder's roster from sixth to third in our rankings.
At this point the Thunder look like a playoff team, although that may actually hurt their score going forward. They possess both their own first-round draft pick and an unprotected one from Phoenix in June's draft; while we haven't downgraded them much yet, their draft rating is going to take a hit if both teams continue playing this well.
(Previous rank: 4)
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4. Miami Heat | Future Power Rating: 631
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
236 (10th) 112 (12th) 146 (2nd) 89 (2nd) 49 (15th)
Miami moved up a spot when we downgraded Portland, but in terms of their score nothing really changed for the Heat in this update. They continue to be a one-man team poised to add to their talent base in the 2010 free-agent market. Michael Beasley's inconsistency is a negative; as one potential way for Miami to move further up the list would be for him to break out. Instead, he may be a trade asset that allows Miami to pair a third star with Dwyane Wade and a max-level free agent.
(Previous rank: 5)
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5. Utah Jazz | Future Power Rating: 610
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
262 (6th) 142 (8th) 91 (20th) 39 (20th) 76 (4th)
The Jazz consistently play the role of one of the most underrated teams in the league, and likewise our rankings here expose just how surprisingly dangerous they should be going forward.
Despite being engaged in a middling season, the Jazz's future looks bright. Deron Williams (25) is a star point guard (even if he's never made the All-Star team). Paul Millsap (24) is a tenacious rebounder, and rookie Eric Maynor (22) has had some bright moments in the early going for the Jazz.
However, the big news continues to be that Utah holds New York's first-round draft pick -- a pick that looks likely to be a top-5 pick in what's shaping up to be a very strong draft. Adding another core player should put the Jazz in very good stead for the next four or five seasons.
(Previous rank: 6)
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6. Portland Trail Blazers | Future Power Rating: 608
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
272 (5th) 150 (3rd) 92 (18th) 53 (13th) 40 (20th)
Portland was the top-ranked team when the season began, but the Blazers' precipitous drop to sixth comes as a result of a sluggish 14-11 start that caused us to re-evaluate their talent base. In retrospect, we may have been overly optimistic the first time around.
Although the Blazers' roster still appears formidable, virtually every player has underperformed expectations or given us reason to doubt him. Most prominently, the season-ending knee injury to Greg Oden requires us to treat the Blazers center as a high risk to miss more time in the future. The struggles of Brandon Roy hurt, too, as they make last season look like a possible outlier. Add in struggles of young core players Martell Webster and Rudy Fernandez as well as LaMarcus Aldridge's inability to progress beyond his current level, and Portland dropped from first to fifth in the players category -- accounting for the Blazers' decline in the rankings.
(Previous rank: 1)
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7. San Antonio Spurs | Future Power Rating: 578
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
178 (18th) 189 (1st) 105 (12th) 67 (8th) 39 (22nd)
The Spurs have been the league's model franchise during the past decade. Although they continue to show signs of slippage on the court, we have faith that the top front office in the league will help them remain a winning team for the foreseeable future.
Injuries and age continue to take their toll in San Antonio, but the sage Spurs also have some youth: Tony Parker (27) and Richard Jefferson (29) remain in their prime, and George Hill (23), DeJuan Blair (20) and recent draftee Tiago Splitter (24) appear to have bright futures.
Given the Spurs' stellar management, which is looking at significant cap room in 2011, we think it'll spend wisely to keep the team in contention. Despite the occasional misfire (e.g., trading Luis Scola and drafting Ian Mahinmi), the Spurs' brainpower and spending power make it hard to be pessimistic about their future.
(Previous rank: 8)
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8. Cleveland Cavaliers | Future Power Rating: 561
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
290 (4th) 98 (14th) 90 (21st) 50 (16th) 33 (25th)
The Cavs remain the toughest team in the league to rank.
If they lose LeBron James in the summer of 2010, they'll suddenly be hanging out with the Warriors and Bobcats at the bottom of the barrel. If they re-sign him, LeBron alone would guarantee that the Cavs will be a force in the playoffs. We continue to lean toward the proposition that LeBron is staying -- that's how the Cavs ended up eighth in the rankings. But that is far from a foregone conclusion.
Should James seriously decide to look elsewhere in the summer, the Heat and Thunder, according to our rankings, offer him a better chance to win long-term and play alongside other young superstars. Plus, both have the money to pay him.
But until that happens, the Cavs have the reigning MVP and a guy who almost alone can will them to the Finals, as we've seen.
(Previous rank: 9)
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9. Denver Nuggets | Future Power Rating: 558
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
262 (7th) 134 (11th) 85 (24th) 55 (12th) 22 (28th)
We still don't know quite what to make of the Nuggets. They got a bit of an uptick in the players category thanks to a strong start from rookie Ty Lawson and Carmelo Anthony's MVP-caliber opening month, but that's been partly offset by the erratic early play of J.R. Smith and the same maddening inconsistency they've showed in previous campaigns.
Meanwhile, coach George Karl isn't signed past this season and could be a free agent in the summer. Although Karl has his weaknesses, he's among the league's best coaches, and his departure would impact Denver's score in the management department.
(Previous rank: 10)
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10. Los Angeles Clippers | Future Power Rating: 555
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
242 (9th) 57 (26th) 129 (5th) 63 (9th) 64 (9th)
We thought these were the same old Clippers when Blake Griffin hurt his knee, but L.A. moved up one spot into the top 10 by playing some competent basketball in the opening seven weeks. Most notably, embattled coach/GM Mike Dunleavy seems to have his charges' attention, something that wasn't always the case a year ago, while center Chris Kaman seems reborn.
As a result the Clips' lowly management score improved a bit, although it will never be good as long as Donald Sterling stays in town. Nobody's sure yet whether the Clippers can seal the deal on a quality free agent in the summer given their history, or even whether Dunleavy will be the one making the call.
(Previous rank: 11)
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11. Chicago Bulls | Future Power Rating: 536
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
218 (12th) 71 (25th) 130 (4th) 60 (11th) 57 (12th)
The Bulls took a pretty big hit in our latest rankings, sliding from No. 7 to No. 11. In particular, the team dropped badly in the management category, from 13th to 25th, for a couple of reasons.
First, the coaching. With the Bulls having a miserable season, the spotlight in on coach Vinny Del Negro. In contrast to the coach the Bulls could have had, Mike D'Antoni, and the former Bulls coach now thriving in Milwaukee, Scott Skiles, Del Negro seems to be in way over his head, and in fact, he probably can't last.
Second, the front office, which has earned a reputation for indecisiveness and questionable judgment. They failed to seal the deal with D'Antoni, tend to overvalue their young players and have failed to use their assets for a major acquisition. While the Bulls have made several trades in recent years, these trades have been "big" only in terms of the numbers of players swapped, not in their impact.
(Previous rank: 7)
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12. Boston Celtics | Future Power Rating: 529
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
182 (17th) 147 (4th) 107 (9th) 68 (6th) 25 (26th)
The Celtics are performing as expected, as an elite team in the East. But for how long? The Celtics' core of Kevin Garnett (33), Paul Pierce (31), Ray Allen (33) and Rajon Rondo (23) is among the best in the league, but age and injuries will continue to catch up with them.
With the exception of Rondo and role players Kendrick Perkins and Glen Davis, the team is devoid of young talent that can build a bridge to the future. Which explains why the Celtics can be a contender yet land only in the middle of these rankings.
(Previous rank: 12)
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13. Houston Rockets | Future Power Rating: 514
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
122 (26th) 156 (2nd) 124 (7th) 61 (10th) 51 (14th)
One might be surprised to see the Rockets' ranking almost the same in light of their surprising strong start, but there's a reason this is called the Future Power Rankings. While Houston has indeed seen stellar performances that bode well going forward -- most notably from sixth man Carl Landry -- the talent base still doesn't compare well with that of many other teams. That's especially true if they can't re-sign forward Luis Scola, who has probably been their best player after Landry in the early part of the season.
If anything, the cohesive play is another feather in the cap for Houston's management, including GM Daryl Morey and head coach Rick Adelman. But our ratings already showed a very healthy respect for both men: It's hard to move them up much more in that category when they're already second and the one franchise ahead of them wears four rings.
(Previous rank: 14)
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14. Atlanta Hawks | Future Power Rating: 508
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
244 (8th) 82 (21st) 96 (14th) 51 (15th) 35 (24th)
The Hawks moved up the list thanks to an impressive start, especially given that two of their three 23-year-olds, Josh Smith and Al Horford, have been keys to their surge. Smith in particular has progressed, looking poised to make his first All-Star team. Sixth man Jamal Crawford has fit in better than anyone expected, while rookie guard Jeff Teague looks like a keeper, too.
That said, another key youngster, Marvin Williams, is struggling, and Atlanta still has considerable uncertainty going forward. Head coach Mike Woodson is doing arguably his best work in his half-decade in Atlanta, but he's a free agent after the season. More worryingly, so is star guard Joe Johnson. All is well in Atlanta at the moment, but looking two years down the road, some big challenges remain.
(Previous rank: 18)
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15. Detroit Pistons | Future Power Rating: 499
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
164 (21st) 147 (5th) 91 (19th) 45 (19th) 52 (13th)
The good news for Pistons fans is that injuries to Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince have given us a chance to see exactly what Joe Dumars picked up this summer. All three free-agent acquisitions -- Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva and Ben Wallace -- have played well. Rookies Jonas Jerebko and Austin Daye are also getting playing time, though their play has been nothing more than solid.
The future, in large part, continues to ride on Rodney Stuckey. Dumars put great faith in him last year when he swapped Chauncey Billups for cap space. Stuckey continues to improve (he's especially been on a roll in December), but he hasn't proven that he's going to be a star. It's unclear if he fits better as a point guard or a 2-guard in Detroit's crowded backcourt, and he's yet to develop his 3-point shot or learn to play under control. For now, he's more a good young player than an established star.
16. Toronto Raptors | Future Power Rating: 494
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
214 (13th) 97 (15th) 94 (17th) 46 (17th) 43 (19th)
The Raptors have to be sweating a bit. GM Bryan Colangelo gambled last summer that a few roster moves could put them back into contention, but nothing much has come of his wheeling and dealing. And most of their moves have hindered the cap flexibility they might have had going forward.
If Chris Bosh stays, this roster is essentially what they're stuck with, and that's the problem. At some point, Bosh, who can become a free agent this summer, is going to have to ask whether this team can really contend. If they can't, he may bolt.
The Raptors face other issues. No one on the team can play any defense. Players have been downright dismissive at times of new head coach Jay Triano. Rookie DeMar DeRozan is a work in progress.
If the ship doesn't get turned around quickly, things could get ugly.
(Previous rank: 16)
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17. New Jersey Nets | Future Power Rating: 489
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
124 (25th) 84 (19th) 138 (3rd) 51 (14th) 92 (1st)
The Nets are proving to be the worst team in the league, and with the exception of Brook Lopez, most of their young talent isn't looking so talented right now -- which explains their drop from No. 13 to No. 17 in our latest rankings.
Everyone from Devin Harris to Yi Jianlian to Courtney Lee to rookie Terrence Williams has been disappointing in the early going.
That ineptitude does have an upside. The Nets are now the favorites to get their hands on the top-rated candidate for the 2010 draft, John Wall, who is the best point guard prospect to come along since Chris Paul. In other words, the Nets' talent base could improve very quickly if they get the No. 1 pick, and they'll still have over $20 million in salary-cap space.
There have also been developments on the Nets' relocation and ownership fronts. Because of legal decisions, it now seems more likely that the team is heading to Brooklyn (eventually) and that prospective owner Mikhail Prokhorov will take control of the franchise. Assuming the league approves Prokhorov, the Nets should get a huge infusion of both cash and cachet.
(Previous rank: 13)
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18. Dallas Mavericks | Future Power Rating: 477
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
150 (23rd) 136 (10th) 107 (10th) 68 (7th) 16 (29th)
The Mavericks continue to be more of a "now" team than a team looking to the future. Nothing has really changed since our previous rankings.
Barring some miraculous maneuvers, the Mavs might be essentially starting from scratch in a couple of years, even if their current core is still able to contribute. Really, 21-year-old point guard Rodrigue Beaubois is the only promising young player in the Mavs' pipeline. And the free-spending Mavs are capped out until 2011, or more likely 2012.
The good news is that the Mavs have a dynamic, popular owner, and his management team has proved to be creative in handling the roster and the Mavs' perpetual lack of salary-cap space. And the franchise has some assets (including Erick Dampier's non-guaranteed contract) that we expect it to use aggressively.
Furthermore, Dallas is often on the short list of favored destinations for players, thanks to Cuban and the team's success. So while it's hard to see the Mavs maintaining their incredible streak of nine consecutive seasons with 50 or more wins, it's hard to count them out, too.
(Previous rank: 17)
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19. New York Knicks | Future Power Rating: 462
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
80 (29th) 94 (16th) 173 (1st) 75 (3rd) 40 (21st)
Not much has changed for the Knicks on the court, but in the NBA universe some other teams have slid, allowing New York to move up a couple of spots (from 21 to 19) in the rankings.
We knew the Knicks were going to struggle this season -- though they've been much more competitive lately, they're still just 8-15. And we knew that another long season would lead to a lot of second-guessing of president Donnie Walsh and coach Mike D'Antoni.
The good news is that Danilo Gallinari is starting to justify his selection as the No. 6 pick in the 2008 NBA draft. The bad news is that the Knicks' most recent lottery pick, Jordan Hill, can barely get on the floor, and Walsh is taking hits from critics for passing on Brandon Jennings, who looks like he'll become the All-Star point guard the Knicks need.
(Previous rank: 21)
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20. Milwaukee Bucks | Future Power Rating: 458
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
172 (19th) 102 (13th) 90 (22nd) 26 (27th) 68 (7th)
The Bucks made the biggest leap in our rankings, moving up a whopping nine spots from 29th to 20th. This is in large part because of the much brighter outlook for their current roster (the "players" category), which is now ranked 13th.
The emergence of 20-year-old Brandon Jennings, who has the makings of a future superstar (as, perhaps, the next Allen Iverson), is the key to the Bucks' rise, but he's not alone. Turkish forward Ersan Ilyasova, just 22, is also having a terrific season, and former No. 1 pick Andrew Bogut is quietly having the best season of his career.
Milwaukee's management also got a nice bump in our rankings, shooting up from 24th to 13th. That's a nod to two men: GM John Hammond, who had the guts to take Brandon Jennings when other GMs passed, and coach Scott Skiles, who continues to find ways to get his team to overproduce.
(Previous rank: 29)
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21. Philadelphia 76ers | Future Power Rating: 450
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
204 (15th) 87 (18th) 60 (28th) 37 (21st) 62 (11th)
Allen Iverson may have brought some buzz to Philly, but his presence may actually hurt the 76ers' long-term prognosis -- they dropped from No. 19 to No. 21 in our latest rankings. With Iverson eating up shots and minutes, the development of their young players will being slowed. Iverson's presence also means that the Sixers should be able to eke out a few more wins this season, hurting their draft positioning a bit.
Furthermore, Elton Brand continues to struggle, and it appears Philadelphia will be stuck with a declining former superstar with a huge contract for the next four years.
(Previous rank: 19)
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22. Sacramento Kings | Future Power Rating: 448
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
194 (16th) 80 (22nd) 75 (27th) 29 (26th) 70 (6th)
Sacramento's score improved by 105 points, pushing them from 28th to 22nd, thanks to the team's surprisingly strong start and the Rookie of the Year-caliber play of Tyreke Evans. While Brandon Jennings has received more buzz, Evans has been more effective, and he's a big reason the Kings have kept pace with their more heralded West counterparts.
He's not the only one, though. Youngsters Jason Thompson, Omri Casspi and Sergio Rodriguez have provided strong starts, while Beno Udrih -- who still has three years left on his contract -- emerged from the depths of their rotation to post a stellar November. Even Donte Greene, who looked as though he had no clue how to play a year ago, has emerged as a quality rotation player.
Sacramento's management score improved, too, because of both the wisdom of their draft picks this year and the impact that new coach Paul Westphal has had. About the only negative so far has been yet another injury to high-scoring guard Kevin Martin -- his durability is a major question going forward.
(Previous rank: 28)
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23. New Orleans Hornets | Future Power Rating: 430
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
230 (11th) 73 (24th) 50 (29th) 33 (25th) 44 (17th)
We feel better about the Hornets' players and worse about its management following a tumultuous early season that saw head coach Byron Scott dismissed. New coach Jeff Bower found two diamonds stashed on the bench in rookie guards Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton, but the way ownership forced Bower downstairs from his GM perch sent a troubling message about where the franchise is going.
One wonders whether team president Hugh Weber is going to fancy himself a talent evaluator and begin meddling in basketball decisions going forward. If so, the timing couldn't be more problematic, as the Hornets already have painted themselves into a corner with a series of bad contracts. In particular, last year's midlevel deal for James Posey -- who showed up out of shape and has visibly slowed -- looks worse every day.
(Previous rank: 23)
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24. Indiana Pacers | Future Power Rating: 420
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
108 (28th) 90 (17th) 107 (11th) 36 (22nd) 79 (3rd)
The Pacers are off to a terrible start -- and slid significantly in our rankings, from No. 20 to No. 24. Danny Granger's injury combined with some poor play from their young players has put their future in serious doubt. Larry Legend's magic isn't transferring to the Pacers, unfortunately.
The good news is sparse. Mike Dunleavy is finally healthy. Free-agent acquisition Dahntay Jones has been a pleasant surprise.
The bad news is that Pacers aren't getting much from anyone else. Granger is injured again. T.J. Ford is just a shell of his former self. Troy Murphy is struggling to repeat what he did last season.
More troubling, a few key young players aren't playing well. Brandon Rush, a 2008 lottery pick, has been terrible. He seems to have lost all confidence in his ability to shoot the basketball. Roy Hibbert played well to start the season but has faded. Indiana coach Jim O'Brien's wide-open style of play doesn't really fit Hibbert's game, and he's spending more and more time on the bench. Tyler Hansbrough has provided the energy and toughness we thought he would, but he's struggling with his shot.
One bright note for Pacers fans: Indiana now look like a serious contender for a high draft pick, moving from ninth to third in that category.
(Previous rank: 20)
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25. Memphis Grizzlies | Future Power Rating: 406
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
212 (14th) 10 (29th) 89 (23rd) 13 (29th) 82 (2nd)
It's hard to move the Grizzlies too high when bumbling owner Michael Heisley produces fiascos like the Allen Iverson experiment. But the score for their roster improved significantly after a surprisingly competent start, helped mainly by the improved conditioning of center Marc Gasol.
We shouldn't get carried away here -- the Grizzlies have only four guys who have proved themselves, and one of them is Zach Randolph. That said, Memphis does have a nice, youthful core developing, and if Heisley could keep his hands off long enough to let the basketball people build around it, the Grizzlies may yet become a team worth watching.
(Previous rank: 25)
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26. Phoenix Suns | Future Power Rating: 401
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
118 (27th) 84 (20th) 94 (16th) 68 (5th) 37 (23rd)
The Suns are off to a terrific start this season after returning to the freewheeling style that made them the most fun team to watch this decade. But we remain pessimistic about their long-term future.
They have an aging roster. Amare Stoudemire is a free agent this summer. And youngsters Earl Clark and Robin Lopez haven't lived up to their potential yet. Channing Frye has been a revelation, but he's a free agent this summer, and the Suns may be reluctant to pay what it takes to keep him.
That all means that while the immediate feature may be looking up, we still have our doubts about the long term.
(Previous rank: 27)
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27. Washington Wizards | Future Power Rating: 397
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
156 (22nd) 75 (23rd) 77 (26th) 46 (18th) 43 (18th)
Last time around, we were surprised to see Washington all the way down in 24th in the Future Power Rankings. This time? It's no shock at all to see them rank 27th.
Watching the Wizards leaves one wondering what they were thinking trying to take on contracts and challenge in the East when they won only 19 games a year ago. Gilbert Arenas doesn't look like the Agent Zero of old, Caron Butler has been awful, and talented youngsters Nick Young and JaVale McGee still have no clue how to play. At times their best player has been diminutive retread Earl Boykins, but his play has no bearing on Washington's prospects going forward.
The death of longtime owner Abe Pollin also raises some questions, but we'll take a wait-and-see approach. If, as expected, Ted Leonsis takes over, his first decision will be whether to usher out the flailing Ernie Grunfeld regime and bring in new management. In the meantime, the Wizards are trapped cap-wise and have few high-quality assets to deal.
(Previous rank: 24)
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28. Minnesota Timberwolves | Future Power Rating: 390
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
142 (24th) 39 (27th) 123 (8th) 12 (30th) 73 (5th)
After a dismal start to the season, Minnesota wins the Siberia Award for the league's least desirable market, sliding from 28th to 30th. Considering that their main asset at the moment is the trove of cap space they'll have this summer, that's a problem.
Otherwise, disappointment is the name of the game. New coach Kurt Rambis has had trouble making his triangle system work, and even opposing scouts wonder aloud why he won't play Jonny Flynn and Ramon Sessions together in the backcourt. Big man Al Jefferson is still recovering from knee surgery and not near last year's form, hurting their score in the players category, while Rambis' early woes and the struggles of several offseason acquisitions (Ryan Hollins, Flynn, Wayne Ellington, Sessions) on the court caused us to knock management's rating down a peg.
(Previous rank: 22)
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29. Golden State Warriors | Future Power Rating: 379
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
172 (20th) 9 (30th) 98 (13th) 34 (24th) 66 (8th)
While the Warriors slipped three spots in the rankings, they actually gained a few points, for several reasons.
The Stephen Jackson trade will help Golden State in the long term. Getting rid of Jackson and getting his three-year extension off the books should be a big boon eventually for the Warriors, who should have some real cap space now in 2011.
The Warriors also continue to see improvement from their young players. Monta Ellis is having a big year, and Anthony Randolph and Stephen Curry show promise.
The biggest problem plaguing the Warriors continues to be the management and coaching. We ranked them dead last in the league. Until the franchise gets a new owner or makes major changes in the organization, Golden State will be more laughingstock than contender.
(Previous rank: 26)
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30. Charlotte Bobcats | Future Power Rating: 182
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
50 (30th) 27 (28th) 37 (30th) 19 (28th) 49 (16th)
Despite trading for Stephen Jackson and getting on track, it appears, for the franchise's first playoff berth, the Bobcats still ranked last in our assessment of franchises' futures.
We weren't big fans of the trade beyond this season, as it only added to the load on the Bobcats' already stressed salary-cap situation. And long-term, this season has mostly been a setback -- second-year players D.J. Augustin and Alexis Ajinca are struggling, and the biggest boost has come from veteran center Nazr Mohammed.
Charlotte's management score actually improved since absentee team president Michael Jordan deigned to show up at a few games and Brown has worked some of his usual magic, but the obligation to Jackson crushed an already poor score in the money department.
Enjoy your playoff games this year, Charlotte -- they may be your last for a while.
(Previous rank: 30)
5How will your favorite team fare in future seasons? Our experts take a close look
Comment Email Print Share By Chad Ford and John Hollinger
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The rookie class is making quite the impression, giving many teams brighter futures in the big picture.
Note: This is a new, updated version of the ESPN's Future Power Rankings of NBA teams. The original edition launched on November 10.
The Future Power Rankings are ESPN Insider's projection of the on-court success expected for each team during the 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons.
How Future Power Rating Is Determined
PLAYERS (0 to 400 points): Current players and their potential for the future, factoring in expected departures
MANAGEMENT (0 to 200 points): Quality and stability of front office, ownership, coaching
MONEY (0 to 200 points): Projected salary-cap situation; ability and willingness to exceed cap and pay luxury tax
MARKET (0 to 100 points): Appeal to future acquisitions based on team quality, franchise reputation, city's desirability as a destination, market size, taxes, business and entertainment opportunities, arena quality, fans
DRAFT (0 to 100 points): Future draft picks; draft positioning
CATEGORY RANKINGS: See how each team ranked in each category
Consider this a convenient way to see in what direction your favorite team is headed.
Each of the NBA's 30 teams received an overall Future Power Rating of 0 to 1,000, based on how well we expected each team to perform in the three seasons following this season.
To determine the Future Power Rating, we rated each team in five categories (see table at right).
As you can see, we determined that the most important category was a team's current players and the future potential of those players -- that category accounted for 40 percent of each team's overall Future Power Rating.
At the same time, we looked at many other factors, such as management, ownership, coaching, a team's spending habits, its cap situation, the reputation of the city and the franchise, and what kind of draft picks we expected the team to have in the future.
To reach our ratings in each category, we talked to teams to get a handle on their future strategies, we looked at their contractual commitments and we carefully broke down each roster to figure out which players would improve, which would decline and which would likely depart.
We expect these rankings to evolve as the season moves along, trades are made, injuries occur, strategies shift, and so on. Return from time to time as we update the rankings.
Here are our current rankings, from 1 to 30:
Future Power Rankings: 1-5 | 6-10 | 11-15 | 16-20 | 21-25 | 26-30
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1. Orlando Magic | Future Power Rating: 695
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
370 (1st) 147 (6th) 82 (25th) 73 (4th) 23 (27th)
The Magic are the new No. 1 thanks to a strong start to 2009-10 and the struggles for former No. 1 Portland. With a 17-5 start despite numerous injuries and a 10-game suspension for Rashard Lewis, one has to conclude the Magic's formidable depth makes them title contenders regardless of what's thrown their way. Ryan Anderson's strong start improved the score for their players and the other ratings stayed the same.
The scary part is Orlando could still improve considerably. Big men Marcin Gortat and Brandon Bass hardly play, but each is a desirable trade chip that the Magic could move for more help at midseason.
(Previous rank: 2)
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2. Los Angeles Lakers | Future Power Rating: 675
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
336 (2nd) 139 (9th) 95 (15th) 95 (1st) 10 (30th)
The Lakers moved from third to second after Portland's early-season struggles, but the strong return of Andrew Bynum also helped boost the score for their players by 18 points. The fact Ron Artest has been a solid citizen thus far also helps their score, although the Lakers have to be concerned about sluggish starts by Lamar Odom and Derek Fisher. In fact, their aging core is their biggest risk going forward.
The other big question is the status of Phil Jackson -- we'd give the Lakers an upgrade in management if we knew the Zen Master would be sticking around a while longer. What isn't in question is that Byrant, Bynum and Pau Gasol make up the league's top triumvirate, and as long as that remains the case, the Lakers' prospects seem as bright as the Southern California sun.
(Previous rank: 3)
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3. Oklahoma City Thunder | Future Power Rating: 661
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
296 (3rd) 142 (7th) 125 (6th) 35 (23rd) 62 (10th)
The Thunder's strong start propelled them to third in the rankings, as the good play of rookie James Harden and the continued progress of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook caused us to move the Thunder's roster from sixth to third in our rankings.
At this point the Thunder look like a playoff team, although that may actually hurt their score going forward. They possess both their own first-round draft pick and an unprotected one from Phoenix in June's draft; while we haven't downgraded them much yet, their draft rating is going to take a hit if both teams continue playing this well.
(Previous rank: 4)
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4. Miami Heat | Future Power Rating: 631
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
236 (10th) 112 (12th) 146 (2nd) 89 (2nd) 49 (15th)
Miami moved up a spot when we downgraded Portland, but in terms of their score nothing really changed for the Heat in this update. They continue to be a one-man team poised to add to their talent base in the 2010 free-agent market. Michael Beasley's inconsistency is a negative; as one potential way for Miami to move further up the list would be for him to break out. Instead, he may be a trade asset that allows Miami to pair a third star with Dwyane Wade and a max-level free agent.
(Previous rank: 5)
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5. Utah Jazz | Future Power Rating: 610
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
262 (6th) 142 (8th) 91 (20th) 39 (20th) 76 (4th)
The Jazz consistently play the role of one of the most underrated teams in the league, and likewise our rankings here expose just how surprisingly dangerous they should be going forward.
Despite being engaged in a middling season, the Jazz's future looks bright. Deron Williams (25) is a star point guard (even if he's never made the All-Star team). Paul Millsap (24) is a tenacious rebounder, and rookie Eric Maynor (22) has had some bright moments in the early going for the Jazz.
However, the big news continues to be that Utah holds New York's first-round draft pick -- a pick that looks likely to be a top-5 pick in what's shaping up to be a very strong draft. Adding another core player should put the Jazz in very good stead for the next four or five seasons.
(Previous rank: 6)
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6. Portland Trail Blazers | Future Power Rating: 608
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
272 (5th) 150 (3rd) 92 (18th) 53 (13th) 40 (20th)
Portland was the top-ranked team when the season began, but the Blazers' precipitous drop to sixth comes as a result of a sluggish 14-11 start that caused us to re-evaluate their talent base. In retrospect, we may have been overly optimistic the first time around.
Although the Blazers' roster still appears formidable, virtually every player has underperformed expectations or given us reason to doubt him. Most prominently, the season-ending knee injury to Greg Oden requires us to treat the Blazers center as a high risk to miss more time in the future. The struggles of Brandon Roy hurt, too, as they make last season look like a possible outlier. Add in struggles of young core players Martell Webster and Rudy Fernandez as well as LaMarcus Aldridge's inability to progress beyond his current level, and Portland dropped from first to fifth in the players category -- accounting for the Blazers' decline in the rankings.
(Previous rank: 1)
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7. San Antonio Spurs | Future Power Rating: 578
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
178 (18th) 189 (1st) 105 (12th) 67 (8th) 39 (22nd)
The Spurs have been the league's model franchise during the past decade. Although they continue to show signs of slippage on the court, we have faith that the top front office in the league will help them remain a winning team for the foreseeable future.
Injuries and age continue to take their toll in San Antonio, but the sage Spurs also have some youth: Tony Parker (27) and Richard Jefferson (29) remain in their prime, and George Hill (23), DeJuan Blair (20) and recent draftee Tiago Splitter (24) appear to have bright futures.
Given the Spurs' stellar management, which is looking at significant cap room in 2011, we think it'll spend wisely to keep the team in contention. Despite the occasional misfire (e.g., trading Luis Scola and drafting Ian Mahinmi), the Spurs' brainpower and spending power make it hard to be pessimistic about their future.
(Previous rank: 8)
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8. Cleveland Cavaliers | Future Power Rating: 561
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
290 (4th) 98 (14th) 90 (21st) 50 (16th) 33 (25th)
The Cavs remain the toughest team in the league to rank.
If they lose LeBron James in the summer of 2010, they'll suddenly be hanging out with the Warriors and Bobcats at the bottom of the barrel. If they re-sign him, LeBron alone would guarantee that the Cavs will be a force in the playoffs. We continue to lean toward the proposition that LeBron is staying -- that's how the Cavs ended up eighth in the rankings. But that is far from a foregone conclusion.
Should James seriously decide to look elsewhere in the summer, the Heat and Thunder, according to our rankings, offer him a better chance to win long-term and play alongside other young superstars. Plus, both have the money to pay him.
But until that happens, the Cavs have the reigning MVP and a guy who almost alone can will them to the Finals, as we've seen.
(Previous rank: 9)
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9. Denver Nuggets | Future Power Rating: 558
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
262 (7th) 134 (11th) 85 (24th) 55 (12th) 22 (28th)
We still don't know quite what to make of the Nuggets. They got a bit of an uptick in the players category thanks to a strong start from rookie Ty Lawson and Carmelo Anthony's MVP-caliber opening month, but that's been partly offset by the erratic early play of J.R. Smith and the same maddening inconsistency they've showed in previous campaigns.
Meanwhile, coach George Karl isn't signed past this season and could be a free agent in the summer. Although Karl has his weaknesses, he's among the league's best coaches, and his departure would impact Denver's score in the management department.
(Previous rank: 10)
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10. Los Angeles Clippers | Future Power Rating: 555
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
242 (9th) 57 (26th) 129 (5th) 63 (9th) 64 (9th)
We thought these were the same old Clippers when Blake Griffin hurt his knee, but L.A. moved up one spot into the top 10 by playing some competent basketball in the opening seven weeks. Most notably, embattled coach/GM Mike Dunleavy seems to have his charges' attention, something that wasn't always the case a year ago, while center Chris Kaman seems reborn.
As a result the Clips' lowly management score improved a bit, although it will never be good as long as Donald Sterling stays in town. Nobody's sure yet whether the Clippers can seal the deal on a quality free agent in the summer given their history, or even whether Dunleavy will be the one making the call.
(Previous rank: 11)
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11. Chicago Bulls | Future Power Rating: 536
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
218 (12th) 71 (25th) 130 (4th) 60 (11th) 57 (12th)
The Bulls took a pretty big hit in our latest rankings, sliding from No. 7 to No. 11. In particular, the team dropped badly in the management category, from 13th to 25th, for a couple of reasons.
First, the coaching. With the Bulls having a miserable season, the spotlight in on coach Vinny Del Negro. In contrast to the coach the Bulls could have had, Mike D'Antoni, and the former Bulls coach now thriving in Milwaukee, Scott Skiles, Del Negro seems to be in way over his head, and in fact, he probably can't last.
Second, the front office, which has earned a reputation for indecisiveness and questionable judgment. They failed to seal the deal with D'Antoni, tend to overvalue their young players and have failed to use their assets for a major acquisition. While the Bulls have made several trades in recent years, these trades have been "big" only in terms of the numbers of players swapped, not in their impact.
(Previous rank: 7)
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12. Boston Celtics | Future Power Rating: 529
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
182 (17th) 147 (4th) 107 (9th) 68 (6th) 25 (26th)
The Celtics are performing as expected, as an elite team in the East. But for how long? The Celtics' core of Kevin Garnett (33), Paul Pierce (31), Ray Allen (33) and Rajon Rondo (23) is among the best in the league, but age and injuries will continue to catch up with them.
With the exception of Rondo and role players Kendrick Perkins and Glen Davis, the team is devoid of young talent that can build a bridge to the future. Which explains why the Celtics can be a contender yet land only in the middle of these rankings.
(Previous rank: 12)
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13. Houston Rockets | Future Power Rating: 514
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
122 (26th) 156 (2nd) 124 (7th) 61 (10th) 51 (14th)
One might be surprised to see the Rockets' ranking almost the same in light of their surprising strong start, but there's a reason this is called the Future Power Rankings. While Houston has indeed seen stellar performances that bode well going forward -- most notably from sixth man Carl Landry -- the talent base still doesn't compare well with that of many other teams. That's especially true if they can't re-sign forward Luis Scola, who has probably been their best player after Landry in the early part of the season.
If anything, the cohesive play is another feather in the cap for Houston's management, including GM Daryl Morey and head coach Rick Adelman. But our ratings already showed a very healthy respect for both men: It's hard to move them up much more in that category when they're already second and the one franchise ahead of them wears four rings.
(Previous rank: 14)
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14. Atlanta Hawks | Future Power Rating: 508
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
244 (8th) 82 (21st) 96 (14th) 51 (15th) 35 (24th)
The Hawks moved up the list thanks to an impressive start, especially given that two of their three 23-year-olds, Josh Smith and Al Horford, have been keys to their surge. Smith in particular has progressed, looking poised to make his first All-Star team. Sixth man Jamal Crawford has fit in better than anyone expected, while rookie guard Jeff Teague looks like a keeper, too.
That said, another key youngster, Marvin Williams, is struggling, and Atlanta still has considerable uncertainty going forward. Head coach Mike Woodson is doing arguably his best work in his half-decade in Atlanta, but he's a free agent after the season. More worryingly, so is star guard Joe Johnson. All is well in Atlanta at the moment, but looking two years down the road, some big challenges remain.
(Previous rank: 18)
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15. Detroit Pistons | Future Power Rating: 499
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
164 (21st) 147 (5th) 91 (19th) 45 (19th) 52 (13th)
The good news for Pistons fans is that injuries to Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince have given us a chance to see exactly what Joe Dumars picked up this summer. All three free-agent acquisitions -- Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva and Ben Wallace -- have played well. Rookies Jonas Jerebko and Austin Daye are also getting playing time, though their play has been nothing more than solid.
The future, in large part, continues to ride on Rodney Stuckey. Dumars put great faith in him last year when he swapped Chauncey Billups for cap space. Stuckey continues to improve (he's especially been on a roll in December), but he hasn't proven that he's going to be a star. It's unclear if he fits better as a point guard or a 2-guard in Detroit's crowded backcourt, and he's yet to develop his 3-point shot or learn to play under control. For now, he's more a good young player than an established star.
16. Toronto Raptors | Future Power Rating: 494
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
214 (13th) 97 (15th) 94 (17th) 46 (17th) 43 (19th)
The Raptors have to be sweating a bit. GM Bryan Colangelo gambled last summer that a few roster moves could put them back into contention, but nothing much has come of his wheeling and dealing. And most of their moves have hindered the cap flexibility they might have had going forward.
If Chris Bosh stays, this roster is essentially what they're stuck with, and that's the problem. At some point, Bosh, who can become a free agent this summer, is going to have to ask whether this team can really contend. If they can't, he may bolt.
The Raptors face other issues. No one on the team can play any defense. Players have been downright dismissive at times of new head coach Jay Triano. Rookie DeMar DeRozan is a work in progress.
If the ship doesn't get turned around quickly, things could get ugly.
(Previous rank: 16)
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17. New Jersey Nets | Future Power Rating: 489
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
124 (25th) 84 (19th) 138 (3rd) 51 (14th) 92 (1st)
The Nets are proving to be the worst team in the league, and with the exception of Brook Lopez, most of their young talent isn't looking so talented right now -- which explains their drop from No. 13 to No. 17 in our latest rankings.
Everyone from Devin Harris to Yi Jianlian to Courtney Lee to rookie Terrence Williams has been disappointing in the early going.
That ineptitude does have an upside. The Nets are now the favorites to get their hands on the top-rated candidate for the 2010 draft, John Wall, who is the best point guard prospect to come along since Chris Paul. In other words, the Nets' talent base could improve very quickly if they get the No. 1 pick, and they'll still have over $20 million in salary-cap space.
There have also been developments on the Nets' relocation and ownership fronts. Because of legal decisions, it now seems more likely that the team is heading to Brooklyn (eventually) and that prospective owner Mikhail Prokhorov will take control of the franchise. Assuming the league approves Prokhorov, the Nets should get a huge infusion of both cash and cachet.
(Previous rank: 13)
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18. Dallas Mavericks | Future Power Rating: 477
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
150 (23rd) 136 (10th) 107 (10th) 68 (7th) 16 (29th)
The Mavericks continue to be more of a "now" team than a team looking to the future. Nothing has really changed since our previous rankings.
Barring some miraculous maneuvers, the Mavs might be essentially starting from scratch in a couple of years, even if their current core is still able to contribute. Really, 21-year-old point guard Rodrigue Beaubois is the only promising young player in the Mavs' pipeline. And the free-spending Mavs are capped out until 2011, or more likely 2012.
The good news is that the Mavs have a dynamic, popular owner, and his management team has proved to be creative in handling the roster and the Mavs' perpetual lack of salary-cap space. And the franchise has some assets (including Erick Dampier's non-guaranteed contract) that we expect it to use aggressively.
Furthermore, Dallas is often on the short list of favored destinations for players, thanks to Cuban and the team's success. So while it's hard to see the Mavs maintaining their incredible streak of nine consecutive seasons with 50 or more wins, it's hard to count them out, too.
(Previous rank: 17)
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19. New York Knicks | Future Power Rating: 462
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
80 (29th) 94 (16th) 173 (1st) 75 (3rd) 40 (21st)
Not much has changed for the Knicks on the court, but in the NBA universe some other teams have slid, allowing New York to move up a couple of spots (from 21 to 19) in the rankings.
We knew the Knicks were going to struggle this season -- though they've been much more competitive lately, they're still just 8-15. And we knew that another long season would lead to a lot of second-guessing of president Donnie Walsh and coach Mike D'Antoni.
The good news is that Danilo Gallinari is starting to justify his selection as the No. 6 pick in the 2008 NBA draft. The bad news is that the Knicks' most recent lottery pick, Jordan Hill, can barely get on the floor, and Walsh is taking hits from critics for passing on Brandon Jennings, who looks like he'll become the All-Star point guard the Knicks need.
(Previous rank: 21)
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20. Milwaukee Bucks | Future Power Rating: 458
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
172 (19th) 102 (13th) 90 (22nd) 26 (27th) 68 (7th)
The Bucks made the biggest leap in our rankings, moving up a whopping nine spots from 29th to 20th. This is in large part because of the much brighter outlook for their current roster (the "players" category), which is now ranked 13th.
The emergence of 20-year-old Brandon Jennings, who has the makings of a future superstar (as, perhaps, the next Allen Iverson), is the key to the Bucks' rise, but he's not alone. Turkish forward Ersan Ilyasova, just 22, is also having a terrific season, and former No. 1 pick Andrew Bogut is quietly having the best season of his career.
Milwaukee's management also got a nice bump in our rankings, shooting up from 24th to 13th. That's a nod to two men: GM John Hammond, who had the guts to take Brandon Jennings when other GMs passed, and coach Scott Skiles, who continues to find ways to get his team to overproduce.
(Previous rank: 29)
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21. Philadelphia 76ers | Future Power Rating: 450
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
204 (15th) 87 (18th) 60 (28th) 37 (21st) 62 (11th)
Allen Iverson may have brought some buzz to Philly, but his presence may actually hurt the 76ers' long-term prognosis -- they dropped from No. 19 to No. 21 in our latest rankings. With Iverson eating up shots and minutes, the development of their young players will being slowed. Iverson's presence also means that the Sixers should be able to eke out a few more wins this season, hurting their draft positioning a bit.
Furthermore, Elton Brand continues to struggle, and it appears Philadelphia will be stuck with a declining former superstar with a huge contract for the next four years.
(Previous rank: 19)
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22. Sacramento Kings | Future Power Rating: 448
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
194 (16th) 80 (22nd) 75 (27th) 29 (26th) 70 (6th)
Sacramento's score improved by 105 points, pushing them from 28th to 22nd, thanks to the team's surprisingly strong start and the Rookie of the Year-caliber play of Tyreke Evans. While Brandon Jennings has received more buzz, Evans has been more effective, and he's a big reason the Kings have kept pace with their more heralded West counterparts.
He's not the only one, though. Youngsters Jason Thompson, Omri Casspi and Sergio Rodriguez have provided strong starts, while Beno Udrih -- who still has three years left on his contract -- emerged from the depths of their rotation to post a stellar November. Even Donte Greene, who looked as though he had no clue how to play a year ago, has emerged as a quality rotation player.
Sacramento's management score improved, too, because of both the wisdom of their draft picks this year and the impact that new coach Paul Westphal has had. About the only negative so far has been yet another injury to high-scoring guard Kevin Martin -- his durability is a major question going forward.
(Previous rank: 28)
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23. New Orleans Hornets | Future Power Rating: 430
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
230 (11th) 73 (24th) 50 (29th) 33 (25th) 44 (17th)
We feel better about the Hornets' players and worse about its management following a tumultuous early season that saw head coach Byron Scott dismissed. New coach Jeff Bower found two diamonds stashed on the bench in rookie guards Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton, but the way ownership forced Bower downstairs from his GM perch sent a troubling message about where the franchise is going.
One wonders whether team president Hugh Weber is going to fancy himself a talent evaluator and begin meddling in basketball decisions going forward. If so, the timing couldn't be more problematic, as the Hornets already have painted themselves into a corner with a series of bad contracts. In particular, last year's midlevel deal for James Posey -- who showed up out of shape and has visibly slowed -- looks worse every day.
(Previous rank: 23)
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24. Indiana Pacers | Future Power Rating: 420
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
108 (28th) 90 (17th) 107 (11th) 36 (22nd) 79 (3rd)
The Pacers are off to a terrible start -- and slid significantly in our rankings, from No. 20 to No. 24. Danny Granger's injury combined with some poor play from their young players has put their future in serious doubt. Larry Legend's magic isn't transferring to the Pacers, unfortunately.
The good news is sparse. Mike Dunleavy is finally healthy. Free-agent acquisition Dahntay Jones has been a pleasant surprise.
The bad news is that Pacers aren't getting much from anyone else. Granger is injured again. T.J. Ford is just a shell of his former self. Troy Murphy is struggling to repeat what he did last season.
More troubling, a few key young players aren't playing well. Brandon Rush, a 2008 lottery pick, has been terrible. He seems to have lost all confidence in his ability to shoot the basketball. Roy Hibbert played well to start the season but has faded. Indiana coach Jim O'Brien's wide-open style of play doesn't really fit Hibbert's game, and he's spending more and more time on the bench. Tyler Hansbrough has provided the energy and toughness we thought he would, but he's struggling with his shot.
One bright note for Pacers fans: Indiana now look like a serious contender for a high draft pick, moving from ninth to third in that category.
(Previous rank: 20)
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25. Memphis Grizzlies | Future Power Rating: 406
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
212 (14th) 10 (29th) 89 (23rd) 13 (29th) 82 (2nd)
It's hard to move the Grizzlies too high when bumbling owner Michael Heisley produces fiascos like the Allen Iverson experiment. But the score for their roster improved significantly after a surprisingly competent start, helped mainly by the improved conditioning of center Marc Gasol.
We shouldn't get carried away here -- the Grizzlies have only four guys who have proved themselves, and one of them is Zach Randolph. That said, Memphis does have a nice, youthful core developing, and if Heisley could keep his hands off long enough to let the basketball people build around it, the Grizzlies may yet become a team worth watching.
(Previous rank: 25)
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26. Phoenix Suns | Future Power Rating: 401
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
118 (27th) 84 (20th) 94 (16th) 68 (5th) 37 (23rd)
The Suns are off to a terrific start this season after returning to the freewheeling style that made them the most fun team to watch this decade. But we remain pessimistic about their long-term future.
They have an aging roster. Amare Stoudemire is a free agent this summer. And youngsters Earl Clark and Robin Lopez haven't lived up to their potential yet. Channing Frye has been a revelation, but he's a free agent this summer, and the Suns may be reluctant to pay what it takes to keep him.
That all means that while the immediate feature may be looking up, we still have our doubts about the long term.
(Previous rank: 27)
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27. Washington Wizards | Future Power Rating: 397
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
156 (22nd) 75 (23rd) 77 (26th) 46 (18th) 43 (18th)
Last time around, we were surprised to see Washington all the way down in 24th in the Future Power Rankings. This time? It's no shock at all to see them rank 27th.
Watching the Wizards leaves one wondering what they were thinking trying to take on contracts and challenge in the East when they won only 19 games a year ago. Gilbert Arenas doesn't look like the Agent Zero of old, Caron Butler has been awful, and talented youngsters Nick Young and JaVale McGee still have no clue how to play. At times their best player has been diminutive retread Earl Boykins, but his play has no bearing on Washington's prospects going forward.
The death of longtime owner Abe Pollin also raises some questions, but we'll take a wait-and-see approach. If, as expected, Ted Leonsis takes over, his first decision will be whether to usher out the flailing Ernie Grunfeld regime and bring in new management. In the meantime, the Wizards are trapped cap-wise and have few high-quality assets to deal.
(Previous rank: 24)
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28. Minnesota Timberwolves | Future Power Rating: 390
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
142 (24th) 39 (27th) 123 (8th) 12 (30th) 73 (5th)
After a dismal start to the season, Minnesota wins the Siberia Award for the league's least desirable market, sliding from 28th to 30th. Considering that their main asset at the moment is the trove of cap space they'll have this summer, that's a problem.
Otherwise, disappointment is the name of the game. New coach Kurt Rambis has had trouble making his triangle system work, and even opposing scouts wonder aloud why he won't play Jonny Flynn and Ramon Sessions together in the backcourt. Big man Al Jefferson is still recovering from knee surgery and not near last year's form, hurting their score in the players category, while Rambis' early woes and the struggles of several offseason acquisitions (Ryan Hollins, Flynn, Wayne Ellington, Sessions) on the court caused us to knock management's rating down a peg.
(Previous rank: 22)
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29. Golden State Warriors | Future Power Rating: 379
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
172 (20th) 9 (30th) 98 (13th) 34 (24th) 66 (8th)
While the Warriors slipped three spots in the rankings, they actually gained a few points, for several reasons.
The Stephen Jackson trade will help Golden State in the long term. Getting rid of Jackson and getting his three-year extension off the books should be a big boon eventually for the Warriors, who should have some real cap space now in 2011.
The Warriors also continue to see improvement from their young players. Monta Ellis is having a big year, and Anthony Randolph and Stephen Curry show promise.
The biggest problem plaguing the Warriors continues to be the management and coaching. We ranked them dead last in the league. Until the franchise gets a new owner or makes major changes in the organization, Golden State will be more laughingstock than contender.
(Previous rank: 26)
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30. Charlotte Bobcats | Future Power Rating: 182
PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT
50 (30th) 27 (28th) 37 (30th) 19 (28th) 49 (16th)
Despite trading for Stephen Jackson and getting on track, it appears, for the franchise's first playoff berth, the Bobcats still ranked last in our assessment of franchises' futures.
We weren't big fans of the trade beyond this season, as it only added to the load on the Bobcats' already stressed salary-cap situation. And long-term, this season has mostly been a setback -- second-year players D.J. Augustin and Alexis Ajinca are struggling, and the biggest boost has come from veteran center Nazr Mohammed.
Charlotte's management score actually improved since absentee team president Michael Jordan deigned to show up at a few games and Brown has worked some of his usual magic, but the obligation to Jackson crushed an already poor score in the money department.
Enjoy your playoff games this year, Charlotte -- they may be your last for a while.
(Previous rank: 30)
