NBA Power Rankings: Lakers, Suns, and Mavs rise after big moves at trade deadline

Brooklyn Nets Kevin Durant (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)
Brooklyn Nets Kevin Durant (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)
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Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers Joel Embiid and James Harden (Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports)

5. Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers have quietly been one of the most consistent teams in the Eastern Conference over the last few weeks. Even with the injuries that they’ve had to overcome, they are just a handful of games out of the top 2 seeds in the conference. This is a team that is getting better and they just added Jalen McDaniels at the NBA Trade Deadline.

They are clearly the third-best team in the East and whether they could compete with the likes of the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics will ultimately come down to whether or not they can remain healthy through the playoffs.

There is a lot riding on this season and this year’s playoff run for the team. If they falter and disappoint in the postseason, it could open the door for some huge changes during the offseason. At least for now, it appears the Sixers are in a great spot.