NBA 2025-26 power rankings: Where Knicks stand among league’s best
NY Post
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
An endgame collapse kept the Nets winless without Michael Porter Jr. this season — and was a reminder of just how much this young team has to learn about winning.
LaMelo Ball and Charlotte Hornets head coach Charles Lee are reportedly not aligned, according to ESPN analyst and former long-time center Kendrick Perkins.
Davante Adams only spent 11 games with the Jets, but that didn’t stop Gang Green from catching strays during the star wideout’s interview with Fox ahead of the Rams’ playoff victory over the Panthers on Saturday.
The cheese grater hat made its return following the Bears’ stunning comeback win over the Packers in the wild-card round Saturday, and this time, Caleb Williams had a real cheese grater, too.
PHOENIX — Jalen Brunson committed the big turnover in Friday’s loss, but Mike Brown agreed that Mikal Bridges didn’t do enough to get the ball back.
The Mets are going to make more moves.
BOSTON — The outlook on this Rangers team could not be any more clear after the debacle that was Saturday’s game at TD Garden.
It’s going to take a hefty price tag to acquire Freddy Peralta.
An issue with a coach turned into a problem with his teammates.
Brian Burns’ dominant season couldn’t overcome the stench of the Giants’ 4-13 record.
PHOENIX — Josh Hart, who has missed eight straight games with a sprained ankle, has progressed to taking contact in practice and is “definitely getting close” to returning, according to Mike Brown.
SAINT PAUL, Minn. — The Islanders’ handling of the lineup spot formerly occupied by Alexander Romanov begs two questions.
The Yankees have said all along this offseason that they would love to have Cody Bellinger back.