NBA Power Rankings: Final 2013-14 Regular Season Rankings
By Seth Klein
21. Cleveland Cavaliers: 2013-14 was a debacle for the Cavs. They made every effort to contend, trading for Luol Deng and Spencer Hawes, but finished with their fourth straight losing season. It’s beginning to look more and more like Kyrie Irving could force a trade and get the hell out of Dodge.
Apr 4, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) controls the ball during the first half against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
22. New Orleans Pelicans: The Pelicans have got to be looking back in disdain at last summer’s Jrue Holiday trade (where they gave up Nerlens Noel and a lottery pick in this year’s draft). On the bright side, they still have Anthony Davis.
23. Detroit Pistons: The Josh Smith–Andre Drummond–Greg Monroe Experiment was a failure. Back to the drawing board for the Pistons.
24. Sacramento Kings: Apparently the Kings love Rudy Gay so much that they are willing to match any offer if he decides to test the free agent market. If that were the case, it would be a financially sound move for him to do so. Or could the Kings just be posturing? We’ll see July 1.
25. Boston Celtics: Will Rajon Rondo remain a Celtic past next season? It’s looking more and more like he won’t be. Rondo proved to be healthy after returning in January, averaging 11.7 points, 9.8 assists, 5.5 rebounds, and a career-high 0.9 threes in 30 games.
26. Orlando Magic: Forget the record (23-59), the future is bright for the Magic. They’ll have a lottery pick to go with Victor Oladipo, Nikola Vucevic, Tobias Harris, Moe Harkless and Co.
27. Los Angeles Lakers: The smart move in L.A. would be to get rid of Mike D’Antoni, but Jim Buss seems to love him (for whatever reason). Kobe has vowed to make next season “epic”. What transpires this summer should be pretty interesting to watch.
28. Utah Jazz: Tyrone Corbin was finally given his pink slip. After Enes Kanter’s quote about Corbin not playing “for the future”, you kind of have to wonder what direction this franchise is going in. After all, Kanter is right.
29. Philadelphia 76ers: Acquire Nerlens Noel. Check. Draft Michael Carter-Williams. Check. Trade nearly everyone on your team except Thaddeus Young. Check. Acquire seven picks in this summer’s draft. Check. The Sixers’ rebuilding plan is full steam ahead.
30. Milwaukee Bucks: The Bucks may land the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft (at least they should, mathematically), but that doesn’t change their future outlook. With $26.9 million tied into a budding criminal/drug addict (Larry Sanders), an injury prone disappointment (Ersan Ilyasova), and someone who’d rather be at a buffet than a basketball game (O.J. Mayo), the Bucks aren’t moving up these rankings any time soon.