Power Ranking Top 10 NBA Title Contenders of 2014-15

The Washington Wizards had a successful summer on many fronts. They added Paul Pierce's reasonable contract after losing Trevor Ariza over the offseason, and they are also being mentioned as a potential destination for Kevin Durant in 2016. If Derrick Rose is not completely healthy, D.C. could make the Eastern Conference Finals this season.

Damian Lillard announced his arrival to the NBA playoffs against the Houston Rockets last season with a stunning Game 6 buzzer-beater that prematurely ended Dwight Howard's honeymoon in Texas. The Portland Trail Blazers should be even better in 2015.

The Golden State Warriors passed on Kevin Love this summer, which is a decision they will probably regret. If Klay Thompson comes out gangbusters next season and proves himself as a potential superstar, then maybe the Warriors will be able to live with themselves.

If the Houston Rockets had retained Chandler Parsons or added Chris Bosh, then they would be rated a lot higher. They are still in the championship mix thanks to superstars James Harden and Howard. Early reports are that their center looks healthier than he has in years, which could mean great things for the Rockets next season.

Mark Cuban snagged Parsons from the Rockets with a hefty contract offer and reunited Tyson Chandler with his old running mate Dirk Nowitzki. The Mavericks might be a long shot to win a title in 2015, however, they should advance further in the playoffs than they did last season.

The Chicago Bulls will be holding their breath all season hoping that Derrick Rose does not injure himself again, but all the indications from his FIBA World Cup performance are that he is ready to go. He is still finding a rhythm with his jump shot, but that should come with time.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are now officially on notice. The clock is ticking on Kevin Durant's contract, and their superstar has not hidden his love of the DMV in recent interviews. That should be truly concerning for Thunder fans, because Durant will do everything within his power to win a championship. If he needs to do it in D.C., then he will.

Chris Paul and Blake Griffin should both be excited to attempt a championship run without the shadow of Donald Sterling hanging over them. Doc Rivers has added a lot of quality pieces to the Los Angeles Clippers, and anything short of an appearance in the Western Conference Finals would be an abject failure.

The Cleveland Cavaliers would have been lower on this list, but their showing so far in the preseason has been quite impressive. It might be an overreaction, but I expect them to be in the NBA Finals without a real challenge from anyone else in the Eastern Conference.

The San Antonio Spurs will remain top dog on my list until further notice. Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan would love to go out with two consecutive championships for the first time in their lengthy careers, and it would truly be a storybook ending for a pair of players we should have appreciated more.