In this, the final version of The Post’s weekly NBA rankings, we’ll take a different tack.
Instead of analyzing each team’s past week, let’s look to the future, with one pressing question for either the postseason or the offseason for every team in the league.
(Last week’s rankings in parentheses)
1. Spurs (1): Can they avoid the Thunder? Oklahoma City has had San Antonio’s number. If they stay away from OKC, the Spurs should win the title.
2. Clippers (3): Can Chris Paul reach the conference finals? He hasn’t once in his career, and this easily is his best chance. No more excuses.
3. Thunder (7): Can Russell Westbrook stay healthy long-term? After three surgeries on the same knee in the last calendar year, it’s fair to wonder.
4. Heat (2): After three straight trips to the Finals, can they drag themselves over the finish line? This is the weakest Heat team of the Big Three Era by far.
5. Raptors (6): After his career year, what does Kyle Lowry’s future hold? The Raptors likely have to commit to him after posting a franchise-record 48 wins.
6. Rockets (11): Are Patrick Beverley and Dwight Howard back to 100 percent? If they are, Houston could pose big problems for the Spurs in round two.
7. Grizzlies (13): What happens with Zach Randolph? Does he exercise his player option or become a free agent? If he hits the market, do the Grizzlies bring him back?
8. Trail Blazers (12): Which team is this: the one that had the NBA’s best record through the first two months, or the one that played around .500 ball since?
9. Bulls (4): Can they count on Derrick Rose? After sitting out two years, it’s hard to see how they could until he proves it on the floor.
10. Nets (5): After an up-and-down season, can the Nets fulfill Mikhail Prokhorov’s championship dreams? This is the time of year when the owner’s massive investment will either prove wise or a fool’s errand.
11. Mavericks (10): Can Dallas finally draw a second star to pair with Dirk Nowitzki? They are running out of time to make another real run.
12. Pacers (15): Can they right the ship after their late-season swoon? Getting the top seed was big, but now they have to get back to the way they played in the first few months.
13. Warriors (8): What happens to Mark Jackson? It appears Jackson may be served his walking papers after a first-round exit, which becomes expected with Andrew Bogut’s fractured rib.
14. Wizards (14): What happens to Ernie Grunfeld and Randy Wittman? Both the general manager and coach’s contracts expire after this season.
15. Suns (9): What happens with Eric Bledsoe? The dynamic guard is a restricted free agent, and owner Robert Sarver has screwed things up before.
16. Bobcats (16): How do they add to a core of Kemba Walker and Al Jefferson? First-year coach Steve Clifford did a remarkable job, but more talent is needed to take the next step.
17. Timberwolves (17): What becomes of Kevin Love? Love seems to be the star most likely to change teams in the next 12 months.
18. Hawks (18): What’s the plan? Atlanta has tons of flexibility moving forward. Now it’s up to general manager Danny Ferry to take advantage.
19. Knicks (20): What will Carmelo Anthony do, and what’s best for the Knicks? As good as Anthony is, a complete teardown may be a smarter plan.
20. Cavaliers (21): Can you win with Kyrie Irving as the centerpiece? Irving is set to get a max extension this summer.
21. Pelicans (22): Can they get anything out of Eric Gordon? After his latest knee surgery, his contract appears to be a bigger and bigger disaster.
22. Nuggets (19): Where they go from here? The Nuggets have a ton of interesting pieces – many of which were hurt this season.
23. Kings (23): What does Rudy Gay do? He can opt into over $19 million or hit free agency.
24. Lakers (26): Will they get anything from Kobe Bryant over the next two years? Given his recent injury history and the many miles on his body, it’s hard to see how they will.
25. Jazz (24): Can their Jabari Parker wish come true? The tantalizing idea of a Mormon superstar in Salt Lake City could become a reality in the draft.
26. Magic (25): Is now the time to start winning? With a pair of lottery picks to add to their young roster, it seems the Magic should try to take a leap forward.
27. Celtics (28): What do they do with Rajon Rondo? The Celtics have to decide if the dynamic point guard will be part of their rebuild.
28. Pistons (27): Who replaces Joe Dumars? One name that’s floating around belongs to a fellow Hall of Fame Pistons guard with executive experience. You know the one.
29. Bucks (29): What do they do with Larry Sanders? After an embarrassing season, Sanders has a four-year, $44 million extension kick in this summer. Ouch.
30. 76ers (30): Can they hit on both of their lottery picks? After a painful season, the Sixers need to strike gold to continue the build around Nerlens Noel and Michael Carter-Williams.