Philadelphia 76ers: Post Free Agency NBA Power Rankings

After being the surprise of the league and making it to the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2015-16 season, the Blazers came into last season with lofty expectations. While largely underwhelming through the All-Star break, a midseason acquisition of former Nuggets center Jusuf Nurkic appeared to spark the team. In the 19 games Nurkic started, Portland went 14-5, clawing their way back into the playoff picture. A fractured right leg kept Nurkic out of the final seven regular season games and all but one of their playoff matchups against the Warriors. With little cap space flexibility, the Blazers have remained dormant during free agency this summer. Yet during June’s draft, Portland traded the 15th and 20th overall pick to acquire Sacramento’s 10th overall pick, where they selected former Gonzaga big man Zach Collins. Additionally, the team drafted Purdue’s Caleb Swanigan with the 26th overall pick. While both rookies will need time to develop in the NBA, they will surely be able to contribute to some degree from day one. If Nurkic is able to stay healthy for the length of a full season, he, along with the potent backcourt duo of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, should be able to guide Portland to a fifth consecutive playoff appearance.

With the arrival of Markelle Fultz along with a seemingly healthy Ben SImmons and Joel Embiid, the Sixers are poised to become playoff contenders as they close the door on phase I of The Proces. In free agency, General Manager Bryan Colangelo signed two veteran players to one-year deals: J.J. Redick and Amir Johnson. While Johnson’s role is unclear at the moment with a plethora of big men on the Sixers roster, Redick figures to slot in as the team’s starting shooting guard, providing strong 3-point shooting to space the floor for Fultz, Simmons and Embiid. Essentially, the Sixers will acquire three promising young players when Fultz, Simmons and Embiid take the court for the first time together. While youth rarely wins out in the NBA, the abundance of talent on the Sixers roster is too much to ignore. If their young core can all stay healthy, the Sixers will be a force in the East this upcoming season.

Related Story: We learned the Sixers were a playoff team last season

The departure of star point guard Chris Paul surely damages this team’s outlook for next season. Yet the Clippers will remain in the thick of the Western Conference after signing Danilo Gallinari along with former Euroleague star Milo Teodosic and retaining All-Star forward Blake Griffin. The team also acquired First-Team All-Defense point guard Patrick Beverley and perennial Sixth Man of the Year contender Lou WIlliams in the trade with Houston along with various other pieces. While the team will certainly miss Paul, all is not lost. Griffin will likely shift to a point forward role as the team’s primary distributor, a role he has excelled in during year’s past. The Clippers’ playoff hopes are contingent on the oft-injured Griffin. A healthy season from he and Gallinari could find the Clippers competing for home court advantage. If not, Los Angeles will miss the postseason for the first time in six years.

Giannis Antetokounmpo became a bonafide superstar last season en route to winning the Most Improved Player award and leading the Bucks to the playoffs. Additionally, guard Malcolm Brogdon won Rookie of the Year thanks to his steady play throughout the season. Fellow rookie Thon Maker flashed potential on both ends of the court last season and another year of steady progress would make the Bucks a significantly better team. Swingman Khris Middleton, an integral part of the Bucks’ success, appears healthy after missing all but 29 regular season games last season. The quartet of Antetokounmpo, Brogdon, Maker and Middleton will welcome rookie forward D.J. Wilson to the team as they look to continue their ascent up the Eastern Conference standings. After tearing his ACL in early February, Jabari Parker will likely miss an early portion of the season, but his return will be a welcomed sight for Bucks fans. Last season, Parker developed into one of the most complete scorers in the league. With tremendous upside, Antetokounmpo has an outside chance at leading the Bucks to a top four seed in the East, but to get there, Milwauke needs strong play from Middleton, Brogdon, Maker, and eventually, Parker as well.

The acquisition of superstar center DeMarcus Cousins during the All-Star break last season had the Pelicans and their fans thinking playoffs. Unfortunately, the team only went 7-10 with Cousins after the break, failing to make the playoffs. Anthony Davis turned in arguably his best season yet and more importantly, was healthy, playing in 75 games. The most notable move New Orleans made this offseason was re-signing point guard Jrue Holiday to a $126 million dollar contract. While not an elite point guard, Holiday is capable of being the third option on a playoff team. The key for the Pelicans’ playoff chances lies in the health of Holiday and Davis as the two have averaged just 54 games each the past two seasons. As a contingency plan in case Holiday succumbs to injury, the Pelicans recently signed veteran point guard Rajon Rondo. The four-time All-Star has proven that he can still produce at a high level when given ample playing time. Just two seasons ago, Rondo led the league in assists with 11.7 a game. With a full offseason to work together and develop stronger chemistry, Cousins and franchise centerpiece Davis, along with a healthy Jrue Holiday, should have the Pelicans in the playoff race next year.