Zach Kram ranks all 30 NBA teams ahead of the new season

Six weeks before the start of the NBA season, analyst Zach Kram has released a comprehensive breakdown of all 30 franchises. The teams are categorized into eight distinct tiers based on their projected performance and roster construction. This evaluation identifies three specific organizations as the top-tier contenders for the upcoming Finals. The ranking process serves as a reference point for franchise outlooks as training camps approach in October. Basketball observers use these projections to gauge competitive balance across the league during the final stretch of the offseason. The analysis provides a comparative overview of roster strength for every team as they prepare for the opening night of play.

• 12:59 PMESPN — 30 NBA teams, eight tiers: Why three squads rise to the top