NBA Power Rankings: Brooklyn Nets rise after acquiring James Harden

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NBA Brooklyn Nets Caris LeVert (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

10. Indiana Pacers

I’m not sure how the Indiana Pacers managed to swap Victor Oladipo for Caris LeVert but here we are. While I can’t say that their ceiling rose dramatically after this trade, you can make the argument that they essentially traded a player who was likely leaving after the season for significant value.

LeVert will be an ideal fit for this roster and team and will provide them with roughly the same amount of production that they’re losing with Oladipo.

9. Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz is generally somewhat of an afterthought in the Western Conference but has proven once again at the start of the season that they’re going to be a factor when it comes to the playoffs. Led by Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, the Jazz has great potential for this season.

If they can continue to grow as a team and individually, there’s no question that the Jazz could emerge as a threat in the playoffs – much as we saw them during last year’s playoffs in which they gave the Denver Nuggets all they could handle.