The NBA draft is exciting, and everyone loves the intrigue and optimism attached to rookies. But the biggest movers in this post-draft edition of Bleacher Report's power rankings didn't rise or fall based on the amateur talent they added.
They did it by adding (or subtracting) professionals.
Free agency reshaped the league this summer, pairing up MVPs, tearing down contenders and shaking up the hierarchy in both conferences.
As usual, these power rankings are a measure of each team's present potency. First-year players can make marginal impacts, but even the best rarely move the needle in significant ways. Karl-Anthony Towns was the second coming of your deity of choice last year, and he didn't propel the Minnesota Timberwolves to dizzying heights—unless 29 wins gives you vertigo.
Adding George Hill to a roster that probably would have made the playoffs last year if not for rampant injuries? Now that's how you climb a bunch of spots.
We'll chronicle what each club did to change its fortunes and then set them in order.
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Article written by Grant Hughes
NBA Power Rankings 2016-17: How Draft and Free Agency Have Shaken Up the League
July 8th, 2016 by Grant Hughes Leave a reply »
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