Break out your Ben Simmons hand trackers—the NBA is back. We’re counting down the days until the 2018-19 season tips off on October 16 by taking a hard look at the floor and ceiling of every team in the league. This year, each Best Case, Worst Case capsule is also accompanied by The Ringer’s preseason ranking, our staff’s best guess about where that team will finish this season. We look forward to your emotionless, considered responses.
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October 16, 2018
Best Case, Worst Case: Golden State Warriors
The no. 1 team in The Ringer’s preseason rankings has its sights set on a three-peat. Can anything get in its path?
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October 16, 2018
Best Case, Worst Case: Boston Celtics
The no. 2 team in The Ringer’s preseason rankings has the deepest team in the league, and a starting five that can match up against just about any other lineup imaginable. But will everyone on the team be willing to sacrifice to make it all work?
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October 15, 2018
Best Case, Worst Case: Houston Rockets
The no. 3 team in The Ringer’s preseason rankings will have the firepower to compete with any team in the league, but getting any further than last season seems unlikely after a questionable offseason
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October 15, 2018
Best Case, Worst Case: Toronto Raptors
The no. 4 team in The Ringer’s preseason rankings has a new star in the fold, but he’s there for a good time, not a long time. Can they win enough to convince him to stay?
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October 12, 2018
Best Case, Worst Case: Philadelphia 76ers
The no. 5 team in The Ringer’s preseason rankings has the chance to break into the NBA Finals—if everything goes right for its three most talented players
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October 11, 2018
Best Case, Worst Case: Oklahoma City Thunder
The no. 6 team in The Ringer’s preseason rankings has two fully committed stars and more roster depth than they’ve had … ever? But making a deep postseason run will require the team to stay healthy. Can it?
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October 10, 2018
Best Case, Worst Case: Utah Jazz
The no. 7 team in The Ringer’s preseason rankings has an outside shot at the NBA Finals—if its best player can hang with the best teams in the playoffs
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October 9, 2018
Best Case, Worst Case: Los Angeles Lakers
The no. 8 team in The Ringer’s preseason rankings landed LeBron James over the summer. The shock still hasn’t worn off, but the team has plenty of questions to answer.
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October 8, 2018
Best Case, Worst Case: Milwaukee Bucks
The no. 9 team in The Ringer’s preseason rankings might finally have the system in place to maximize their generational superstar. But can they thrive in this era without a true second star?
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October 7, 2018
Best Case, Worst Case: Indiana Pacers
Was the success of Indy, the no. 10 team in The Ringer’s preseason rankings, a fluke or the start of something bigger?
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October 6, 2018
Best Case, Worst Case: Denver Nuggets
The no. 11 team in The Ringer’s preseason rankings has another chance to end its playoff drought. But as good as their offense may be, they won’t go very far unless the defense makes improvements.
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October 5, 2018
Best Case, Worst Case: New Orleans Pelicans
The Pels, the no. 12 team in The Ringer’s preseason rankings, may have the right supporting cast to leap into the West’s elite. Whether they do or not will have a major effect on the future of Anthony Davis.
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October 4, 2018
Best Case, Worst Case: San Antonio Spurs
The no. 13 team in The Ringer’s preseason rankings bade farewell to a trio of stalwarts and have rebuilt themselves around LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan. To improve, they’ll need their young point guard to make the leap.
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October 3, 2018
Best Case, Worst Case: Portland Trail Blazers
The no. 14 team in The Ringer’s preseason rankings will try again with its same core, for better or worse
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October 2, 2018
Best Case, Worst Case: Minnesota Timberwolves
No matter what the Wolves, the no. 15 team in The Ringer’s preseason rankings, get in return for Jimmy Butler, their season will be all about how Karl-Anthony Towns responds
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October 1, 2018
Best Case, Worst Case: Washington Wizards
The no. 16 team in The Ringer’s preseason rankings didn’t make any radical changes to its roster like some of its Eastern peers, but the additions the Wizards did make could make a real difference in a wide-open conference
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September 30, 2018
Best Case, Worst Case: Miami Heat
A lot can change before the start of the regular season for the no. 17 team in The Ringer’s preseason rankings. But for now, their season looks like a repeat of the last one.
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September 29, 2018
Best Case, Worst Case: Detroit Pistons
The no. 18 team in The Ringer’s preseason rankings has star power, a complementary supporting cast, and the reigning Coach of the Year at the helm. So why does this season feel confined to mediocrity before it’s even started?
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September 28, 2018
Best Case, Worst Case: Los Angeles Clippers
The no. 19 team in The Ringer’s preseason rankings is ready to become a major player in the superstar chase, while hoping its band of super reserves can stay in the playoff mix in a deep Western Conference
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September 27, 2018
Best Case, Worst Case: Memphis Grizzlies
The no. 20 team in The Ringer’s preseason rankings could be much better than anyone expects. But it will face stark, franchise-defining consequences if it isn’t.
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September 26, 2018
Best Case, Worst Case: Charlotte Hornets
The no. 21 team in The Ringer’s preseason rankings may have altered their coach and front-office situations, but their team hasn’t changed much at all — for better or worse
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September 25, 2018
Best Case, Worst Case: Cleveland Cavaliers
The no. 22 team in The Ringer’s preseason rankings will try to prove that there’s life without LeBron James
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September 24, 2018
Best Case, Worst Case: Dallas Mavericks
The no. 23 team in The Ringer’s preseason rankings made a huge gambit to secure the most accomplished young player in European basketball history. Will it pay off?
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September 23, 2018
Best Case, Worst Case: Brooklyn Nets
The no. 24 team in The Ringer’s preseason rankings finally has control of its own destiny … after another season on the outside looking in on the playoffs
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September 22, 2018
Best Case, Worst Case: Phoenix Suns
The no. 25 team in The Ringer’s preseason rankings has finally established a respectable young core. But is their newly paid star ready for his new role as a primary facilitator?