By Correspondent Tsai Hou-Hsuan / Combined Report

　　With the NBA offseason largely settled, ESPN columnist Zach Kram officially released his 2026-27 season power rankings on the 10th, predicting the tiered strength of all 30 teams. In this list dividing the league into eight tiers, the Golden State Warriors — hamstrung by a failed pursuit of star free agents this summer and ongoing injury woes — have seen their competitiveness severely eroded. They were dropped directly to Tier 6, labeled as "Potential Play-In Contenders," and now find themselves lumped in the same tier as the Washington Wizards, a team deep in rebuilding purgatory, sparking heated fan debate.

　　The Golden State Warriors, once a dynasty that produced countless glory, have clearly underperformed in their offseason maneuvering. In his analysis, Kram bluntly stated that the Warriors made virtually no substantial or impactful additions in free agency or on the trade market this summer, lacking any fresh blood that could immediately alter the team's trajectory.

　　Adding to the grim outlook is the health status of the team's core lineup. The Warriors are still waiting for star forward Jimmy Butler III to recover from a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament). With the timeline for Butler's full recovery and his effectiveness upon return both uncertain, the Warriors' overall ceiling has been severely capped. ESPN assesses that the team will likely be unable to secure a top-six playoff spot directly in the regular season and will instead be forced into the chaotic play-in tournament for a postseason berth.

　　In ESPN's Tier 6 "Potential Play-In Contenders," there are nine teams: the Golden State Warriors, Washington Wizards, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, Utah Jazz, and Charlotte Hornets.

　　What most stirs regret among fans is the Warriors plummeting to the same level as the Wizards. The Wizards have languished near the bottom of the league for several seasons, often hovering around just 10-plus wins. However, this offseason they welcomed back Anthony Davis and Trae Young, and added top rookie pick AJ Dybantsa, significantly upgrading their roster. They are now viewed as a potential dark-horse playoff contender. In stark contrast, the Warriors, whose competitiveness has steadily declined in recent years, are now seen by outside evaluators as having regressed to the same level as the Wizards, painting a bleak picture for their competitive future.

　　Beyond the Warriors' decline, ESPN's power rankings also clearly delineated the landscape from title contenders to cellar dwellers. Topping Tier 1 as "Title Favorites" are just three teams: the reigning champion New York Knicks, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the San Antonio Spurs. All three reached their respective conference finals last season and retained their starting cores. The Spurs, in particular, surrounded Victor Wembanyama by adding veteran Tobias Harris, giving them the most formidable momentum.

　　Meanwhile, traditional Western Conference powers like the Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Minnesota Timberwolves were categorized as "Flawed Western Contenders." The Lakers, after losing LeBron James to the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency, have seen their strength severely diminished. The Timberwolves, having traded for LaMelo Ball and added Jonathan Kuminga, face new integration risks.

　　At the very bottom, Tier 8 — "Non-competitive and lacking own draft picks" — includes the Los Angeles Clippers, Brooklyn Nets, and Milwaukee Bucks. Notably, the Clippers were heavily penalized by the league for illegal under-the-table payments, losing five draft picks, and appear destined for a last-place finish this season.

　　Facing the bolstered rosters of conference rivals and the rise of younger teams, the aging and injury-riddled Warriors must fight tooth and nail through the play-in tournament to carve out a lifeline to the playoffs.