NBA Power Rankings: James Harden Trade Is Huge for Philadelphia

The Nuggets are still on top, but there’s been plenty of movement elsewhere in the league.

The long-standing game of chicken between the 76ers and Clippers ended Tuesday with the two teams agreeing to a deal that will send disgruntled guard James Harden to L.A. Details of the still-fluid deal: Marcus Morris, Robert Covington, Nicolas Batum, KJ Martin, two first-round picks, two second-rounders and a pick swap to Sixers for Harden, P.J. Tucker and Filip Petrušev.

It’s the two first-rounders that’s notable. In discussions with the Clippers, the Sixers had insisted on either two first-round picks or one first and Terance Mann, the dynamic fifth-year guard. Los Angeles has long declared Mann off-limits and until this week held firm on one first-round pick. On Tuesday, after some maneuvering with Oklahoma City, which owns most of the Clips’ draft capital dating back to the Paul George trade, L.A. was able to acquire a second first—well reacquire, since the Clippers reportedly are trading Philadelphia the first-round pick they originally shipped to OKC—and get the deal done.

Early read: Big win for Philadelphia. The Sixers now have two Clippers first-round picks (in 2026 and ’28) that are going to be hugely appealing on the trade market. L.A. is an aging team that might be one significant injury from a rebuild. Philadelphia, which has two cornerstone players in Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, can spend the next few months shopping as veteran talent becomes available.

And if they come up empty, so what? The players they received in the deal are mostly usable wing players who will boost the rotation. Like Harden, they also have expiring contracts, which will allow Philly to go into free agency with north of $50 million in available cap space. Klay Thompson could be available next summer. So could OG Anunoby, DeMar DeRozan and Pascal Siakam.

For the Clippers, it’s a tripling down on the present. Harden wants to play in Los Angeles. That’s good. He also quit on three teams in the last three years. That’s bad. The Harden–Russell Westbrook backcourt didn’t really work in Houston (granted, the Rockets didn’t have Kawhi Leonard and Paul George), and Ty Lue will need to rejigger his rotation. But on paper the Clippers have one of the most formidable starting lineups in the conference.

On to Sports Illustrated’s NBA power rankings.

Nikola Jokić and other powerful NBA draft picks make up the Nuggets’ foundation :: Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY Sports

1. Denver Nuggets

Building a successful team isn’t rocket science. Teams that hit on draft picks often, win. Teams that don’t, lose. Denver’s championship foundation was built on Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., draft picks all. Its 3–0 start to this season has been fueled by Peyton Watson (9.7 points and an eye-catching 1.7 blocks), Christian Braun (7.7 points, 4.7 rebounds) and Zeke Nnaji, with sharpshooting Julian Strawther likely to contribute in the months ahead. The Nuggets, first under Tim Connelly and now Calvin Booth, are the best in the biz at identifying talent.

2. Boston Celtics

The Kristaps Porziņģis revenge tour went well. Porziņģis followed up a 30-point/eight-rebound/four-block game against the Knicks and was a plus-30 in a blowout win over the Wizards. The Celtics’ starting lineup owns an astonishing 121.7 offensive rating, with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum combining for 69 points in 60 minutes against Washington. It’s defensive rating (90.7) is downright stingy, too.

3. Golden State Warriors

Did I mention I love Chris Paul with the second unit? Paul racked up 13 points, six rebounds and five assists against New Orleans, finishing a +17 in a blowout win. How’s this for an astonishing stat: Last season Golden State’s offensive rating was plus-5.8 with Stephen Curry on the court, -2.2 with him off, per Basketball Reference. Through four games this season the Warriors are plus-2.8 with Curry on the floor and plus-29 with him off. That’s Paul, who has expertly commanded the second unit.

4. Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks are a work in progress (a second-game stinker against Atlanta is proof of that), but when they are on offensively they are on. Khris Middleton is still easing his way back into Milwaukee’s rotation, and Adrian Griffin’s defense has been spotty to start the season. And Griffin is still trying to figure out who he can rely on off his bench. One player Griffin can count on is Brook Lopez, who has made 46.2% of his threes through three games.

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5. Dallas Mavericks

Luka Dončić is averaging nearly 40 points per game to lead an offense that is so good with a defense that (so far) isn’t that bad. The Mavs have something in Dereck Lively II, who struggled against Memphis but has been a reliable physical inside presence and a rim runner. Efficient, too: Lively is connecting on 85.7% of his shots this season.

Kelly Oubre Jr. is averaging 19 points a game with the 76ers :: Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports

6. Philadelphia 76ers

Has there been a better bargain than Kelly Oubre Jr.? Oubre, who signed a one-year, $2.8 million deal with the Sixers last summer, is averaging 19 points in three games this season and playing credible enough defense to keep him on the floor. We’ll see how Oubre fits with the new mix of wings Philadelphia has brought in, but he’s earned more playing time.

7. Oklahoma City Thunder

Listen, I don’t love second-year players being eligible for Rookie of the Year (see Griffin, Blake; Simmons, Ben), but it’s going to be tough to wrestle the award from Chet Holmgren. Holmgren’s early-season numbers (15 points, 2.8 blocks, shooting 62.5% from three) are excellent, and he’s been one of Oklahoma City’s most impactful players during this 3–1 start. Bigger centers can overwhelm Holmgren physically, but he’s a matchup nightmare for any pivot on the other end.

8. Los Angeles Clippers

With James Harden in, what happens to Terance Mann? Mann has not played a minute this season due to an ankle injury, and the once-named starter will likely be headed back to the bench with Harden on board.

9. Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers avoided what could have been full-blown panic by squeezing out a win over Orlando on Monday. D’Angelo Russell (28 points) pulled L.A.’s fat out of the fire in that one, and the Lakers need a more reliable Russell, who failed to crack 40% shooting in the first three games before busting out for 71% against the Magic. L.A. needs more from Rui Hachimura, too, whose shooting percentage has dipped six points from last season.

10. Phoenix Suns

Early-season injuries to Bradley Beal and Devin Booker are troublesome, particularly Beal, who can’t seem to shake the back injury that has sidelined him all season. Kevin Durant is scoring (no surprise there), but he’s attempting fewer than four threes a game and making 27% of them. Defense, ironically, has fueled a 2–1 start. A friendly upcoming schedule should keep the Suns winning until Beal and Booker get back.

11. Sacramento Kings

The Kings breathed a sigh of relief when De’Aaron Fox escaped serious injury after sustaining a nasty-looking ankle sprain against the Lakers on Sunday. Sacramento’s offense has been cooking (again), and its defense continues to be leaky. Kevin Huerter, who followed a tough shooting postseason with a tough shooting preseason with a tough shooting first two games of the regular season.

Zion Williamson has looked strong despite a tough loss to the Warriors :: Matthew Dobbins/USA TODAY Sports

12. New Orleans Pelicans

New Orleans flunked its first test, getting tattooed at home by a Klay Thompson–less Warriors team. Zion Williamson has looked strong, though the Pels have to be a little concerned that a player who gets fouled a lot is connecting on just 55.6% of his free throws. New Orleans could really use Trey Murphy III back: The Pelicans rank in the bottom third of the NBA in three-point percentage.

13. Cleveland Cavaliers

Evan Mobley scored 33 points in 33 minutes in a loss to Indiana on Monday. With Jarrett Allen out, Mobley has looked awfully comfortable at center, collecting 11.7 rebounds a night. Where the Cavs miss Allen is on the defensive end. Last season’s top-rated defense sits 24th early in this one with Cleveland surrendering 52 points in the paint per game, up from 46 last season.

14. Indiana Pacers

Indiana’s blurb this week will be a Rick Carlisle appreciation post. Carlisle, who signed a multiyear contract extension with the Pacers last week, has done a terrific job transforming Indiana from a plodding, inside-oriented team built around Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis to a team that plays at a breakneck pace behind Tyrese Haliburton. Carlisle, who will likely crack 900 career wins this week, remains widely regarded as one of the best strategists in the NBA. After a 10-win improvement last season, it looks like he will lead the Pacers back into the playoffs in this one.

15. Orlando Magic

The Magic were a few possessions against the Lakers from getting people really excited. Orlando’s wins have come against the rebuilding Rockets and Blazers, but the Magic are 10 deep with solid NBA players and are winning without getting much offensively from Paolo Banchero. Orlando made a 12-win improvement last season, and this one feels headed for several more.

16. Miami Heat

Mediocre offense, similar defense, Bam Adebayo banged up and Jimmy Butler resting three games into the season. Heat Twitter came after me for ranking Miami so low last week, but I’ve seen nothing to suggest—for the regular season, at least—this isn’t an average team, at best. Tyler Herro needed 67 shots to get his 66 points through the first three games before busting out against Milwaukee, and Miami will need that version of Herro to beat the better teams in the conference.

17. New York Knicks

Julius Randle’s early shooting slump is a problem. But it’s not the only one. An offense that finished third in efficiency last season has opened this one ranked in the bottom third. Jalen Brunson’s three-point percentage (48%) is 10 points higher than what he’s shooting (37.5%), and the Knicks rank in the bottom half of the league in turnovers. New York might be one shaky offensive night from pressing the Evan Fournier panic button.

18. Detroit Pistons

The most positive sign in Detroit is the defense. The Pistons have a top-10 D early, are dominating the defensive glass and have gotten rim protection from Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson. A healthy Cade Cunningham has kept the offense steady, while Duren—who is still just 19—is averaging 15.5 points per game.

19. Atlanta Hawks

What’s with Trae Young? Through four games Young is making just 31% of his shots and 24% of his threes. Young’s playmaking has been strong (10 assists), and the Hawks have battled through his inefficiency to start 2–2. Atlanta will be better—on both ends—with more time in Quin Snyder’s system, but the Hawks need Young to play at an All-Star level to have any chance to compete.

Young’s inconsistency on offense is hurting the Hawks :: Michael McLoone/USA TODAY Sports

20. Brooklyn Nets

Three games, two double doubles with two near triple doubles for Ben Simmons, who is starting to look like the versatile weapon he was during his best years in Philadelphia. Simmons still won’t look at the rim beyond the three-point, but back at point guard he has spearheaded a surprisingly efficient offense. Equally surprising has been a porous defense, which surrenders a ton of threes. Have to believe a team with Simmons, Mikal Bridges and Dorian Finney-Smith will eventually get that right.

21. Memphis Grizzlies

Yikes, Memphis. The Grizz are one of two winless teams after falling to the Kyrie Irving–less Mavs on Monday. The offense has stagnated, particularly in the half court, and an elite defense last season has been middle of the pack in this one. Ja Morant will be back, but in an ultracompetitive conference Memphis may fall into too big a hole for Morant to dig them out of.

22. Chicago Bulls

I don’t know what to say about the Bulls anymore. They are just … average. Average offense, average defense, some good veterans (Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vučević), an interesting young player (Patrick Williams) and absolutely no pathway to compete at a higher level. The Bulls have made two playoff appearances in the last eight years and were bounced in the first round in each of them. The Lonzo Ball injury was bad luck, but it happened. This team needs a reset, now.

23. Minnesota Timberwolves

Game simulator Strat-O-Matic surprisingly projected the T-Wolves to come out of the Western Conference. Uh, might want to run that simulation again. Minnesota’s defense has been decent, but it collapsed in a loss to Atlanta. In 59 minutes together, the Rudy Gobert–Karl-Anthony Towns pairing has a defensive rating of 118.8. Towns’s offense has cratered, too, with the former All-Star connecting on 37% of his shots and 23.5% of his threes. Not great.

24. Toronto Raptors

The Raptors’ starters have been O.K. The bench has been one of the NBA’s worst, with a net rating only ahead of Houston. Across the board Toronto’s shooting has been dreadful, with a field goal percentage (42.5%), three-point percentage (33.3%) and an effective field goal percentage (48.7%) that all rank in the bottom third.

25. Utah Jazz

The Jazz’s four-guard lineup bombed early, forcing Utah coach Will Hardy to go back to a bigger one in a win over the Clippers. The Jazz have an overflow of credible players in the backcourt, but it’s pretty clear that Utah needs at least two of the Lauri Markkanen/Walker Kessler/John Collins/Kelly Olynyk combination out there. Don’t be surprised to see Danny Ainge and Justin Zanik wheeling and dealing early if this mix isn’t working.

26. Charlotte Hornets

LaMelo Ball is off to a brutal start, shooting 25% from the floor and three-point range. We’ll reserve judgment until Ball, who has dealt with injuries in recent years, gets his legs under him and Miles Bridges (presumably) gets back in the lineup, but Charlotte needs more from its franchise star.

27. San Antonio Spurs

After a competitive opening night loss to Dallas and an overtime win against Houston, the Spurs were dragged back to Earth—and, well, dragged—in a blowout loss to the Clippers. Devin Vassell, who signed a five-year, $146 million extension this month, is averaging 20 points on 55.7% shooting. Victor Wembanyama has been solid (15.7 points per game), but he has not made a three since canning three of them in the opener.

Wembanyama has been solid with the Spurs since making his NBA debut :: Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports

28. Portland Trail Blazers

Scoot Henderson will be fine, folks. But will some contending team get Robert Williams III out of Portland? Playing Williams and Deandre Ayton together never made sense. There has to be a contending team out there that needs a 26-year-old former Defensive Player of the Year contender with Finals experience. Memphis? Golden State? Phoenix? Brooklyn? Anyone?

29. Washington Wizards

On the NBC Sports Boston broadcast of Boston’s blowout win over Washington, Brian Scalabrine said it best: “This does not look like two NBA teams.” Getting spanked by the Celtics isn’t the end of the world—Daniel Gafford being out of the lineup hurt—but the Wizards aren’t good enough offensively to look that lazy defensively. On the positive side, Tyus Jones has been steady in his first stint as a starting point guard.

30. Houston Rockets

Yeah … not much is going right in Houston. Jabari Smith Jr. is struggling to make a shot, Jalen Green is still trying to find his role and Fred VanVleet (2-of-13 in Sunday’s loss to the Warriors) has had some horrific shooting nights. The Rockets need Tari Eason, out with a leg injury, back to play the kind of physical, switch-heavy defense Ime Udoka hopes will come to define them.