A week before the NBA trade deadline in 2026, the market remains relatively quiet. However, significant developments have occurred in both conferences as we approach the second half of the regular season. The [Oklahoma City Thunder](/nba/team/_/name/okc/oklahoma-city-thunder) have lost five games this month, the same amount they lost in the entire season before the start of the new year. The previously invincible team now seems more human than before. Nevertheless, they still hold the top spot in the West, with a six-game lead over the [San Antonio Spurs](/nba/team/_/name/sa/san-antonio-spurs). In the East, the standings are tightening, especially around the play-in positions. The [Cleveland Cavaliers](/nba/team/_/name/cle/cleveland-cavaliers) are back in the conversation, climbing the conference standings, with a four-game winning streak and looking more like the number 1 team they were last season, instead of the struggling group they have been so far. As the February 5th deadline approaches, our NBA experts analyzed the situation of the 30 teams in the latest January rankings. Note: The team rankings are based on the opinion of our panel members (Anthony Slater, Dave McMenamin, Jamal Collier, Kevin Pelton, Michael C. Wright, Bobby Marks, Tim Bontemps, Tim MacMahon, Vincent Goodwill, and Zach Kram). Previous Rankings: [Preseason](/nba/story/_/id/46617842/2025-26-nba-season-preview-rankings-predictions-odds-more) | [October 29](/nba/story/_/id/46749209/nba-power-rankings-where-all-30-teams-rank-one-week-2025-26-regular-season-play) | [November 5](/nba/story/_/id/46785973/nba-power-rankings-biggest-impact-newcomer-all-30-teams-flagg-durant-mike-brown) | [November 12](/nba/story/_/id/46931245/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-rank-pistons-climb-east-giannis-dominates) | [November 19](/nba/story/_/id/47013116/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-rank-important-bench-role-player) | [November 26](/nba/story/_/id/47089057/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-raptors-76ers-clippers-eastern-conference-showdown) | [December 3](/nba/story/_/id/47180246/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-lakers-western-conference-thunder-december-dominance) | [December 10](/nba/story/_/id/47256507/nba-power-rankings-team-biggest-weakness) | [December 17](/nba/story/_/id/47327985/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-cavaliers-mavericks-76ers-eastern-conference) | [December 24](/nba/story/_/id/47402055/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-young-riser-most-improved-rookie-year) | [December 31](/nba/story/_/id/47455680/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-new-year-knicks-nuggets-warriors) | [January 7](/nba/story/_/id/47527857/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-one-month-trade-deadline-updates-hawks-mavericks-grizzlies) | [January 14](/nba/story/_/id/47601896/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-suns-celtics-pistons-trade-deadline-midseason) | [January 21](/nba/story/_/id/47673039/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-midseason-biggest-questions-rest-regular-season)
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[ATL](/nba/story/_/id/47736629/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-wembanyama-spurs-western-conference-joel-embiid-76ers-eastern-conference#atl) | [BOS](/nba/story/_/id/47736629/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-wembanyama-spurs-western-conference-joel-embiid-76ers-eastern-conference#bos) | [BKN](/nba/story/_/id/47736629/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-wembanyama-spurs-western-conference-joel-embiid-76ers-eastern-conference#bkn) | [CHA](/nba/story/_/id/47736629/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-wembanyama-spurs-western-conference-joel-embiid-76ers-eastern-conference#cha) | [CHI](/nba/story/_/id/47736629/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-wembanyama-spurs-western-conference-joel-embiid-76ers-eastern-conference#chi) | [CLE](/nba/story/_/id/47736629/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-wembanyama-spurs-western-conference-joel-embiid-76ers-eastern-conference#cle) [DAL](/nba/story/_/id/47736629/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-wembanyama-spurs-western-conference-joel-embiid-76ers-eastern-conference#dal) | [DEN](/nba/story/_/id/47736629/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-wembanyama-spurs-western-conference-joel-embiid-76ers-eastern-conference#den) | [DET](/nba/story/_/id/47736629/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-wembanyama-spurs-western-conference-joel-embiid-76ers-eastern-conference#det) | [GS](/nba/story/_/id/47736629/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-wembanyama-spurs-western-conference-joel-embiid-76ers-eastern-conference#gs) | [HOU](/nba/story/_/id/47736629/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-wembanyama-spurs-western-conference-joel-embiid-76ers-eastern-conference#hou) | [IND](/nba/story/_/id/47736629/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-wembanyama-spurs-western-conference-joel-embiid-76ers-eastern-conference#ind) [LAC](/nba/story/_/id/47736629/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-wembanyama-spurs-western-conference-joel-embiid-76ers-eastern-conference#lac) | [LAL](/nba/story/_/id/47736629/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-wembanyama-spurs-western-conference-joel-embiid-76ers-eastern-conference#lal) | [MEM](/nba/story/_/id/47736629/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-wembanyama-spurs-western-conference-joel-embiid-76ers-eastern-conference#mem) | [MIA](/nba/story/_/id/47736629/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-wembanyama-spurs-western-conference-joel-embiid-76ers-eastern-conference#mia) | [MIL](/nba/story/_/id/47736629/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-wembanyama-spurs-western-conference-joel-embiid-76ers-eastern-conference#mil) | [MIN](/nba/story/_/id/47736629/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-wembanyama-spurs-western-conference-joel-embiid-76ers-eastern-conference#min) [NO](/nba/story/_/id/47736629/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-wembanyama-spurs-western-conference-joel-embiid-76ers-eastern-conference#no) | [NY](/nba/story/_/id/47736629/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-wembanyama-spurs-western-conference-joel-embiid-76ers-eastern-conference#nyk) | [OKC](/nba/story/_/id/47736629/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-wembanyama-spurs-western-conference-joel-embiid-76ers-eastern-conference#okc) | [ORL](/nba/story/_/id/47736629/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-wembanyama-spurs-western-conference-joel-embiid-76ers-eastern-conference#orl) | [PHI](/nba/story/_/id/47736629/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-wembanyama-spurs-western-conference-joel-embiid-76ers-eastern-conference#phi) | [PHX](/nba/story/_/id/47736629/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-wembanyama-spurs-western-conference-joel-embiid-76ers-eastern-conference#phx) [POR](/nba/story/_/id/47736629/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-wembanyama-spurs-western-conference-joel-embiid-76ers-eastern-conference#por) | [SAC](/nba/story/_/id/47736629/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-wembanyama-spurs-western-conference-joel-embiid-76ers-eastern-conference#sac) | [SA](/nba/story/_/id/47736629/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-wembanyama-spurs-western-conference-joel-embiid-76ers-eastern-conference#sa) | [TOR](/nba/story/_/id/47736629/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-wembanyama-spurs-western-conference-joel-embiid-76ers-eastern-conference#tor) | [UTAH](/nba/story/_/id/47736629/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-wembanyama-spurs-western-conference-joel-embiid-76ers-eastern-conference#utah) | [WAS](/nba/story/_/id/47736629/nba-power-rankings-all-30-teams-wembanyama-spurs-western-conference-joel-embiid-76ers-eastern-conference#was)1. Oklahoma City Thunder
Record 2025-26: 38-10 Previous ranking: 1 Upcoming games: @ MIN (January 29), @ DEN (February 1), vs. ORL (February 3) The Thunder have made 30.8% of their three-pointers in their 10 losses this season before Tuesday night. This included a night of 7 of 26 and an 11 of 43 performance in two recent home losses to the Pacers and Raptors, respectively. Isaiah Joe and Luguentz Dort started and combined to miss all 10 three-pointers in the three-point loss to the Pacers, who are low-level. That remains the aspect of this slightly stumbling giant that makes it more vulnerable: role players don’t punish overloaded schemes. – Anthony Slater2. Detroit Pistons
Record 2025-26: 34-11 Previous ranking: 2 Upcoming games: @ PHX (January 29), @ GS (January 30), vs. BKN (February 1), vs. DEN (February 3) With a $14 million trade exception expiring in the summer hanging over the office’s head, the Pistons could make a move to bolster their secondary scoring and low volume of 3-point shooting before the trade deadline. On the bright side, Cade Cunningham, who is battling a right wrist injury he suffered on January 4, broke out on Sunday, scoring 29 against the Kings and shooting 13 of 22 in 30 minutes after shooting 38% from the field and only 69% from the free throw line since his injury. – Vincent Goodwill3. Houston Rockets
Record 2025-26: 28-16 Previous ranking: 7 Upcoming games: vs. SA (January 28), @ ATL (January 29), vs. DAL (January 31), @ IND (February 2) The Rockets continue to rely on the many minutes of star forward Kevin Durant, who insists he is built for the workload. Durant recorded his third consecutive 30-point performance for the first time all season on Monday in the win over Memphis. Sure, Houston lost center Steven Adams (left ankle) indefinitely, but the Rockets have received reinforcements elsewhere in Tari Eason and Dorian Finney-Smith, who are still recovering from injuries. At full strength, both players bolster the defense and add solid outside shooting. Houston has lost only three home games this season and plays six of the next 10 before the break at the Toyota Center. – Michael C. Wright4. Denver Nuggets
Record 2025-26: 31-16 Previous rating: 4 Upcoming games: vs. BKN (January 29), vs. LAC (January 30), vs. OKC (February 1), @ DET (February 3) Point guard Jamal Murray has been a consistent star while Denver has dealt with injuries to the rest of its starting five. Before Tuesday’s game against the Pistons, Murray, who will likely be an All-Star for the first time, has averaged 28.2 points and 8.4 assists with shooting percentages of .500/.429/.906 since Nikola Jokic, a three-time MVP, went down with a knee injury. Murray’s season averages of 26.0 points and 7.3 assists are the highest of his career, as are his field goal percentage (.490) and his three-point percentage (.448). – Tim MacMahon5. San Antonio Spurs
Record 2025-26: 31-15 Previous ranking: 3 Upcoming games: @ HOU (January 28), @ CHA (January 31), vs. ORL (February 1) A four-game winning streak at home ended on Sunday against the Pelicans with Victor Wembanyama playing his sixth game this season with at least 15 points and 15 rebounds (his first such game since November 12). The result of the loss was that it marked the first time in almost a month that San Antonio played with a fully healthy roster. Wembanyama pointed out earlier this month the Spurs’ penchant for playing below the competition, a problem that persists. Now that the Spurs are back in full form, they have the opportunity to make progress before the All-Star break. – Wright Victor Wembanyama is second in the league in total blocks (85), just behind Jay Huff. Illustration by ESPN6. Boston Celtics
Record 2025-26: 29-17 Previous rating: 5 Upcoming games: vs. ATL (January 28), vs. SAC (January 30), vs. MIL (February 1), @ DAL (February 3) Boston has won five of seven after beating Portland at home on Monday night and remains second in the East. More impressively, considering they lost several players to trade and free agency and haven’t had Jayson Tatum this season, the Celtics are third in the NBA in net rating, only behind the league-leading Thunder and the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons. – Tim Bontemps7. New York Knicks
Record 2025-26: 28-18 Previous rating: 8 Upcoming games: @ TOR (January 28), vs. POR (January 30), vs. LAL (February 1), @ WAS (February 3) It’s hard to say the Knicks are back, considering one of their two wins after a four-game losing streak before Tuesday night was against the awful Nets of the city. But their close road win against the 76ers should be enough to avoid total panic a week before the trade deadline. Backup point guard Landry Shamet has been on a roll since his return from a right shoulder sprain, shooting 43.5% from three. However, Karl-Anthony Towns’ miserable January continues and could be cause for concern. If his 16.6 points per game this month hold, it will be his lowest monthly average since November 2017. – Goodwill8. Toronto Raptors
Record 2025-26: 29-19 Previous ranking: 13 Upcoming games: vs. NYK (January 28), @ ORL (January 30), vs. UTAH (February 1)The Raptors’ first major road trip of the season through the difficult Western Conference could hardly have gone better. The Raptors lost the first game of their trip against the Lakers, but responded with four straight wins over the Warriors, Kings, Trail Blazers, and the reigning champion Thunder. That winning streak propelled the Raptors into a tie for third place in the Eastern Conference standings, and in their first home game they will face the Knicks, the other team tied for third in the East, in an important game on Wednesday. – Zach Kram
9. Los Angeles Lakers
Record 2025-26: 28-17 Previous ranking: 10 Upcoming games: @ CLE (January 28), @ WAS (January 30), @ NYK (February 1), @ BKN (February 3) In the Lakers’ 4-1 streak, Rui Hachimura recorded 10 or more field goal attempts in five consecutive games, his longest streak of the season. The consistency in Hachimura’s offensive role has coincided with his coming off the bench, where coach JJ Redick has given him the power to be the number 1 option with the second unit. Hachimura said his touches have also increased after Redick called a team meeting to encourage Luka Doncic and LeBron James to look to pass the ball more. – Dave McMenamin10. Minnesota Timberwolves
Record 2025-26: 28-19 Previous ranking: 6 Upcoming games: @ DAL (January 28), vs. OKC (January 29), @ MEM (January 31), @ MEM (February 2) Yes, Minnesota secured a victory over Golden State on Monday, when the Warriors sat many key contributors, but the previous five consecutive losses were cause for concern for the Wolves. On the season, Minnesota is 11-14 against teams with over .500, a discouraging sign for the ceiling of a group that not only hopes to reach a third consecutive Western Conference Finals, but to advance from there. – Bontemps11. Cleveland Cavaliers
Record 2025-26: 28-20 Previous ranking: 12 Upcoming games: vs. LAL (January 28), @ PHX (January 30), @ POR (February 1) The Cavs are starting to find their rhythm. They have won four straight games and seven of the last nine before Wednesday’s home game against the Lakers, all thanks to an increase in their offensive production. The Cavs have an offensive rating of 117.6 during that period, the fifth-best in the league, and look much more like the offensive juggernaut that led the East last season. Cleveland’s recent streak has put the team in fifth place in the standings and in a position, with a strong second half, to continue to claim home-court advantage in a first-round playoff series. – Jamal Collier12. Golden State Warriors
Record 2025-26: 26-22 Previous ranking: 11 Upcoming games: @ UTAH (January 28), vs. DET (January 30), vs. PHI (February 3)On Saturday, after his game in Minneapolis was postponed, Stephen Curry said he was “[glued to the television](/espn/story/_/id/47727595/minnesota-teams-nbpa-join-calls-peace-wake-shootings)” watching the local coverage. But, at some point, Curry turned away from the news and headed to the arena for a workout. During it, Curry felt a problem in his right knee. He warmed up and played despite it on Sunday, scoring 26 points in 28 minutes. But he sat out on Monday with what the team cataloged as inflammation in his kneecap. It’s a problem he has managed in the past without losing much time, but something the club will be monitoring in the coming weeks. – Slater
13. Phoenix Suns
Record 2025-26: 28-19 Previous ranking: 9 Upcoming matches: vs. DET (January 29), vs. CLE (January 30), vs. LAC (February 1), @ POR (February 3) Jalen Green’s return to the [lineup didn’t start off so well](/nba/story/_/id/47675174/jalen-green-returns-hamstring-strain-suns-vs-76ers). After a two-month absence due to a right hamstring issue, he scored 12 points in 20 minutes during his first game back, but made 4 of 11 shots. He was limited to four minutes after aggravating the injury in his second game, forcing him out of the lineup for what would have been his third game. – McMenamin14. Miami Heat
Record 2025-26: 25-22 Previous ranking: 16 Upcoming games: vs. ORL (January 28), @ CHI (January 29), vs. CHI (January 31), vs. CHI (February 1), vs. ATL (February 3) The Heat capped off their road trip on Sunday with a win against the Suns and went 3-5 away from home. In the last four games, Pelle Larsson, Nikola Jovic, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. combined to average 37 points, helping to lift Miami with the opportunity to separate themselves from the teams fighting for a play-in spot in the East. The Heat will play Chicago three times, Orlando and Atlanta, with four of those five games at home. – Bobby Marks15. Philadelphia 76ers
Record 2025-26: 25-21 Previous ranking: 14 Upcoming games: vs. SAC (January 29), vs. NO (January 31), @ LAC (February 2), @ GS (February 3) It’s been a bumpy stretch for Philadelphia, which is 4-6 in its last 10 games after beating the Bucks (without Giannis Antetokounmpo) on Tuesday night. On the positive side, Joel Embiid has been looking like his old self in recent weeks, making it possible for him to be included in next month’s All-Star Game. On the negative side, Philadelphia has had a revolving door of players in and out of the lineup, which has caused contributors, including Embiid, to admit that building continuity and consistency is difficult. – Bontemps16. LA Clippers
Record 2025-26: 22-24 Previous ranking: 18 Upcoming games: @ DEN (January 30), @ PHX (February 1), vs. PHI (February 2)Last week, the Clippers’ remarkable season recovery was commemorated with its own special meal. Robert Flom, the blog management director of the Clippers 213Hoops, was able to taste his own tweet from December 20, when he wrote: “If they go 15-3 in any stretch this season, I will print and eat this tweet.” Indeed, they did, and [Flom ate the paper](/nba/story/_/id/47735259/la-clippers-hot-streak-fan-eat-words) on which his skepticism was printed. – McMenamin
17. Orlando Magic
Record 2025-26: 23-22 Previous ranking: 15 Upcoming games: @ MIA (January 28), vs. TOR (January 30), @ SA (February 1), @ OKC (February 3)What has happened to the Magic? A team projected for the playoffs before the season, Orlando has lost four straight games by double digits for the first time since last January. The Magic are one game below .500 and are among the worst five in offense and defense in their last 15 games. Orlando finished in the top three in defense in the previous two seasons. A cause for concern is the health of Franz Wagner, who missed 16 games with a left ankle injury and then returned on January 15. Since then, he has missed three consecutive games due to pain in
