The group of NBA teams that are on the rise entering 2016-17 is not a concrete list. Supposedly being "on the rise" doesn't just mean that a team is predicted to grow its win total from the previous year, and there's more than a few ways to characterize a team as rising up. The ones we'll focus on have trajectories that aren't likely to trend downward for some time and won't likely do so until they've done some damage.
The three teams featured here are not yet the best versions of themselves—they're still plotting their attacks on the rest of league, but their arsenals aren't fully stocked and developed yet. Still, I expect all three to be playoff teams this spring.
Before we get to those upcoming beasts, there's business to discuss regarding our power rankings.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are the defending champions, and yes, it was as odd typing that as I'm sure it was reading it. However, given that the 73-win Golden State Warriors added Kevin Freaking Durant, retained their entire untouchable core and brought in some solid bench depth to replace those who left town, they get the top spot.
After the first six spots, things become less clear. There is a group of near-certain playoff teams, each of which could probably move one or two spots in either direction based on your point of view. That includes teams like the Pacers, Hawks, Trail Blazers, Hornets, Thunder, Grizzlies and Mavericks.
After that, there are the fringe playoff teams, the ones that project to be on the postseason bubble, and that group is a bit more expansive. Finally, there are the bottom-dwellers with varying amounts of upside.
None of these groups is ordered with absolute certainty, but after a chaotic offseason even by the standards of the modern NBA, there was quite a bit of movement in the power rankings. We won't know just how close this list is to reality until the season finally tips off later this month.
In addition to our exclusive group of teams on the rise, we have some honorable mentions for that category. The Boston Celtics have seen their win total increase from 25 to 40 to 48 over the last three seasons, and with the perfect acquisition of Al Horford, I see them giving Cleveland trouble in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Milwaukee Bucks were derailed due to injuries, specifically one to Jabari Parker, and a lack of cohesion a year ago. They should make strides this year, but the question is whether it will be enough to move up significantly in the East.
The Denver Nuggets continued to stockpile talent this offseason, but the fit is still unclear. Perhaps they make this list next year. Lastly, the Los Angeles Lakers have finally made it to the post-Kobe Bryant era, but their young talent, even though there's a lot of it, needs serious maturation before contending out West. Still, they should make some progress toward playing competitive basketball in 2017.
20. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves have been hoarding young talent for a number of years, and it's reached a point where their roster can no longer escape lofty expectations.
To put it another way, the last two or three years, Minnesota has been taxiing smoothly around the runway, acquiring piece after piece, but now they are prepared for takeoff toward the Western Conference's top tier. Because of that, it might surprise you that Minnesota only comes in at No. 20.
Trust me, I'm drooling over this team's construction and potential, too, and the fact that newly hired president and head coach Tom Thibodeau is running this machine only gives me more confidence that it will reach its full potential sooner rather than later. The thing is, that simply hasn't happened yet.
Last season, the T-Wolves won just 29 games, so it's not crazy to think they might make the biggest improvement in terms of win total of any team in the league, even if they don't win 50 games.
Adding to its core of already frighteningly talented young players, Minnesota used the No. 5 overall pick in June's draft on Providence's senior point guard, Kris Dunn. Dunn, a proven scorer, precision passer and floor general over four years in college, joins a backcourt already stocked with the likes of Zach LaVine, Ricky Rubio and former Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins.
Although Dunn enters 2016-17 as a rookie, it's important to remember his age compared to that of his teammates. Dunn, who is 22, is older than the 21-year-old Wiggins and 20-year-old budding superstar Karl-Anthony Towns.
In his rookie campaign a year ago, Towns showed why he was worthy of being chosen with the first overall pick in the NBA draft and why he's drawn comparisons to perhaps the greatest power forward ever, Tim Duncan. Along with Wiggins and a bevy of other promising neophytes, Towns will be able to help the Timberwolves take a sizable step forward this year.
When looking at the new Western Conference, one in which the Warriors no longer have to fear the Oklahoma City Thunder all too much, the collection of athletic freaks and basketball savants Minnesota has acquired could be the kind of club destined to challenge Golden State's reign if it was a few years further along in its development.
Depending how long Golden State's dominance persists and how long before Minnesota reaches its peak, this could be an epic showdown a few years down the road—or at least we can all hope.
14. Detroit Pistons
In the first round of last year's Eastern Conference playoffs, the Pistons were swept by the Cavaliers. I remember watching that series, though, and seeing the way that Tobias Harris, Marcus Morris and Stanley Johnson attacked LeBron James. At least one of them went after King James on every defensive possession like he had personally insulted them, and James looked clearly frustrated at times.
Those three are no slouches on offense, either, nor is Reggie Jackson, the scoring point guard who poured in 18.8 points per game last season. Jackson couldn't wait to get out from under Russell Westbrook's shadow in Oklahoma City. He wasn't shy about it, and now he suits up for Detroit with a palpable anger that appears to fuel him.
Jackson and All-Star big man (albeit abysmal free-throw shooter) Andre Drummond make a terrifying pick-and-roll pair, and Detroit now has just enough wing and frontcourt depth to compete on both ends.
The Pistons also picked up Marquette star Henry Ellenson in the first round of the draft, and they grabbed friendly giant Boban Marjanovic and guard Ish Smith in free agency.
There are more competitive teams in the Eastern Conference than there are playoff spots, so don't be surprised if Detroit only sneaks into the playoffs. However, the top seeds won't want to see the Pistons for fear of getting bounced.
16. Utah Jazz
Utah's climb out of irrelevance has been methodical, and it certainly hasn't been rapid. While the team lacks a bona fide star, Gordon Hayward makes the most compelling case for that title as he enters his seventh season out of Butler. Hayward averaged nearly 20 points per game last season while grabbing five boards a night as well.
If Hayward is the focal point, then his support is endless. In terms of young players who give this team its "rising" status, there is Dante Exum, Alec Burks and Rodney Hood in the backcourt to go along with rim protector Rudy Gobert, Derrick Favors and Trey Lyles up front.
In addition to those guys, each of whom has room to improve and is expected to do so, the Jazz added a veteran presence this offseason by acquiring George Hill, Boris Diaw and Joe Johnson—three guys with enough playoff experience to go around. Their arrival adds a win-now feel to a team that's still budding.
All in all, that's some serious depth, especially when considering the three veterans were not in Utah a year ago when the Jazz finished just two games under .500. The rotation features a cohesive mixture of scoring and defense that will translate to wins in a conference that is more even than in previous years.
If Utah misses the playoffs this year, it will be a serious disappointment, because, again, expectations grow over time. The Jazz have been a popular pick to make some real noise in years past, but this will be the season they join the postseason fray out West.