Spurs Top 2026-27 NBA Power Rankings as 14 Teams Enter Season Believing They Can Contend
Updated
Updated · CBS Sports · Oct 20
Spurs Top 2026-27 NBA Power Rankings as 14 Teams Enter Season Believing They Can Contend
3 articles · Updated · CBS Sports · Oct 20
Summary
San Antonio opened the season at No. 1 after beating Oklahoma City in a road Game 7 in the West finals and leading New York for more than 72% of NBA Finals minutes.
Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper are projected to improve again, giving the Spurs a stronger core while De'Aaron Fox remains a luxury on a roster still benefiting from rookie-scale contracts.
Oklahoma City ranked No. 2 despite losing Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins, with Chet Holmgren framed as the key variable in any postseason rematch with Wembanyama.
New York landed third as defending champion, while Philadelphia rose to No. 4 on star power despite fit concerns around a lineup whose main scorers combined for a 143.1% usage rate last season.
The rankings cast the 2026-27 campaign as unusually open, with 14 teams viewed as plausible title threats after an offseason that reshaped contenders across both conferences.