Clippers drop after Paul George departure

The Nets, Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, Utah Jazz, and Toronto Raptors were the five-worst teams entering the season in the first installment of The Daily News’ 2024 NBA Power Rankings.

In Installment No. 2, we reveal teams 25 through 21, featuring a former Western Conference contender that has plummeted after losing a key player in free agency.

This range also brings some surprises: The San Antonio Spurs pair Chris Paul with franchise cornerstone Victor Wembanyama, the Portland Trail Blazers could be a sneaky threat (but not enough), and the Washington Wizards — yes, those Wizards — might turn some heads this season.

Check back Friday for the unveiling of teams 20 through 16 in Installment No. 3.

Teams 25 through 21 are below:

25 – WASHINGTON WIZARDS

Additions: F Alex Sarr (#2), F Kyshawn George (#24), C Jonas Valanciunas (3Y/$30M S&T via NOP), F Saddiq Bey (3Y/$19M UFA), G Carlton “Bub” Carrington (#14 – via POR), G Malcolm Brogdon (via POR), 2029 first-round pick (via POR), 2028 second-round pick (via POR), 2030 second-round pick (via POR), re-signed F Anthony Gill
Subtractions: F Deni Avdija (traded to POR), G Tyus Jones (signed with PHX), G Landry Shamet (waived), G Delon Wright (signed with MIL), 2027 second-round pick (via POR)
Best Five: Poole, Kuzma, Bey, Sarr, Valanciunas
Next Five: Brogdon, Carrington, Kispert, Coulibaly, Holmes

Originally, the Wizards were slated second-to-last, just ahead of the Cooper Flagg-bearing Brooklyn Nets. However, Washington has revamped its roster around Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Poole, two talented players with championship experience who have yet to fully deliver on their potential.

If Poole can play up to his $128 million contract, the Wizards should, at the very least, be entertaining to watch. At best — a team’s gotta dream, right? — they could put pressure on the Eastern Conference’s 10th seed in an attempt to make a run at a Play-In Tournament appearance and end the franchise’s three-year playoff drought.

Better or worse?

Cautiously better.

2024 NBA Draft: Knicks could benefit from Alex Sarr falling to Wizards at No. 2

24 – PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

Additions: F Deni Avdija (via WSH), C Donovan Clingan (#7)
Subtractions: G Carlton Carrington (#14 – via WSH), G Malcolm Brogdon (via WSH), 2029 first-round pick (via WSH), 2028 second-round pick (via WSH), 2030 second-round pick (via WSH)
Best Five: Henderson, Simons, Avdija, Grant, Ayton
Next 5: Graham, Banton Sharpe, Clingan, Williams II

Don’t sleep on the Trail Blazers—they’re on the rise.

Initially ranked 26th in an earlier draft of these rankings, Portland now projects to move up from its bottom-five status. The Western Conference is stacked, but so is Portland, filled with young talent, waiting for standout sophomore guard Scoot Henderson to take a Year 2 leap. If he does, Portland could solve the problem left by Damian Lillard’s departure. The acquisition of Deni Avdija strengthens a competitive frontcourt alongside Jerami Grant, too.

However, decisions loom at center, where Deandre Ayton, Robert Williams III, Duop Reath, and No. 7 pick Donovan Clingan will all jockey for playing time.

Better or worse?

Noticeably better.

Mike Lupica: Damian Lillard doesn’t owe the Trail Blazers anything. He’s earned the right to leave

23 – SAN ANTONIO SPURS

Additions: G Chris Paul (UFA via GSW), F Harrison Barnes (via SAC/CHI), G Malachi Flynn (UFA via DET)
Subtractions: N/A
Best 5: Paul, Vassell, Johnson, Barnes, Wembanyama
Next 5: Jones, Castle, Champagnie, Sochan, Bassey

Wembanyama’s reign begins now.

Coming off a generational performance in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Wembanyama returns to a new floor general in San Antonio: Chris Paul. It likely won’t be enough to push the Spurs into Play-In contention in the loaded West, but with Paul feeding the 7’4″ phenom, San Antonio’s odds of winning improve every time Wemby touches the ball.

Better or worse?

Tangibly better.

2024 Paris Olympics: Team USA’s basketball reign continues, but Victor Wembanyama’s time is now

22 – ATLANTA HAWKS

Additions: F Zaccharie Risacher (#1), F Larry Nance Jr. (via NOP), F Dyson Daniels (via NOP), C Cody Zeller (UFA), F David Roddy (via PHX)
Subtractions: G Dejounte Murray (via NOP), F Saddiq Bey (via WSH), F AJ Griffin (via HOU), G Patty Mills (via UTA)
Best 5: Young, Bogdanovic, Johnson,, Risacher, Okongwu
Next 5: Hunter, Nance, Bufkin, Daniels, Okongwu

The Hawks are poised for a middling season, but they have Trae Young, and they won the NBA Draft Lottery, selecting Zaccharie Risacher first overall. With Dejounte Murray traded to New Orleans, the ball is back in Young’s hands. It’s up to him to steer the team to the Play-In, or his time in Atlanta could be running out.

Better or worse?

About the same, depending on Risacher’s Year 1 impact.

Atlanta Hawks select Zaccharie Risacher with No. 1 pick in NBA Draft

21 – LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS

Additions: F Nic Batum (via PHI), F Derrick Jones Jr. (via DAL), G Kevin Porter Jr. (UFA: 2Y/$4.8M), G Kris Dunn (via UTA), F Kai Jones (Exhibit-10), C Mo Bamba (1Y/VM), G Cam Christie (#46)
Subtractions: F Paul George (via PHI), G Russell Westbrook (via UTA), F KJ Martin (via PHI), C Mason Plumlee (via PHX), C Daniel Theis (via NOP)
Best 5: Harden, Mann Leonard, Jones Jr., Zubac
Next 5: Hyland, Porter Jr., Batum, Powell, Tucker

It’s time for the Clippers to face reality: Kawhi Leonard’s health is unreliable, and without him, they won’t stand a chance in the West. Paul George left to join Joel Embiid in Philly, and James Harden has forced trades at every stop—from Houston to Brooklyn, Brooklyn to Philly, and now Philly to Los Angeles, each demand more awkward than the last.

The Clippers will win when Harden and Leonard play together, but 68 games last year were the most he’s played in a season since leading the Raptors to a 2019 title (he played 60 games), and if either of the Clippers’ stars are unavailable, a thin roster will struggle against stronger teams.