Oct 5, 2026 · 1h 39m
NBA’s bottom five reveal five different paths forward
Preseason Power Rankings, Part 1 | Group Chat
The rankings expose how rebuilding, veteran logjams, roster fit, and organizational direction shape the league’s least certain teams.
- 1Sacramento’s crowded veteran roster leaves its direction—and the identity of its next trade—unclear.
- 2Milwaukee has depth after Giannis Antetokounmpo’s departure, but questionable role fit could limit its regular-season value.
- 3Brooklyn, the Clippers, and Chicago offer contrasting mixes of trade decisions, young talent, and League Pass appeal.
Don't miss
The hosts frame Chicago as an unexpectedly appealing League Pass team, with Caleb Wilson’s development offering a possible new identity.
The brief
Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J. Kyle Mann open a six-part preseason ranking by examining teams 26 through 30, where comedy, hope, and rebuilding overlap.
Sacramento lands last after a 22-win season, with Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, and other veterans creating a crowded roster whose next move is hard to read.
Milwaukee’s post-Giannis roster has enough talent to matter, but the hosts question whether its pieces fit and whether Kyle Kuzma’s minutes will block younger players.
Brooklyn could outperform 28th, yet Michael Porter Jr.’s trade value and the organization’s competitive plan remain more uncertain than its intriguing young prospects.
The Clippers face a sharper choice between preserving an aging, expensive roster and recovering draft capital, while Chicago emerges as the most entertaining experiment.
The standout contrast is Chicago’s new direction: Caleb Wilson and Josh Giddey could make the Bulls compelling even if their unusual roster construction proves unstable.
Books & mentions
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