The Oklahoma City Thunder led the NBA in efficiency differential during the preseason with a mark of +12.5.

During the 14-15 preseason, the Golden State Warriors had the league's best mark with +11.0, which became a first indicator of their jump as title contenders.

Here's the full rankings from the 15-16 preseason:

1. Thunder: 12.5
2. Celtics: 11.6
3. Grizzlies: 11.5
4. Wizards: 10.4
5. Hornets: 10.0
6. Pistons: 7.1
7. Raptors: 5.6
8. Pacers: 4.7
9. Knicks: 4.0
10. Suns: 3.9
11. Nuggets: 3.5
12. Kings: 3.3
13. Magic: 2.8
14. Blazers: 1.8
15. Jazz: 0.4
16. Heat: 0.0
17. Hawks: -0.7
18. Rockets: -0.7
19. Nets: -1.0
20. Warriors: -1.3
21. Spurs: -1.9
22. Lakers: -2.1
23. Bucks: -3.4
24. Bulls: -3.6
25. Pelicans: -3.6
26. Clippers: -4.2
27. Cavaliers: -6.5
28. 76ers: -8.6
29. Mavericks: -10.7
30. Wolves: -11.0

The Miami Heat have waived center Keith Benson, guards Tre Kelley, John Lucas III and Briante Weber and forward Greg Whittington.

Benson, who was signed as a free agent on Aug. 25, appeared in five preseason contests (one start) with the HEAT and averaged 5.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 11.8 minutes.

Kelley, who was signed as a free agent on Sept. 28, came off the bench in both games in which he appeared this preseason and averaged 3.5 points, 4.0 assists and 13.8 minutes.

Lucas III, a seven-year NBA veteran who was signed as a free agent on Sept. 28, appeared in one game and was scoreless with two rebounds and one assist in 16 minutes.

Whittington, who played on the HEAT’s summer league team this year and was signed as an undrafted free agent on Sept. 3, came off the bench in all four games in which he appeared and averaged 2.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 16.1 minutes.

Weber, who was signed as an undrafted free agent on Oct. 19, did not appear in a preseason game.

The Miami Heat have signed guard Briante Weber and waived guard Corey Hawkins. 

Weber played all four seasons at Virginia Commonwealth, appearing in 127 games (65 starts) and averaged 6.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.94 steals and 23.4 minutes while shooting 42.6 percent from the field. 

Hawkins appeared in two games with the Heat this preseason totaling six points, two rebounds and an assist in 14 minutes of action.

Ethan Skolnick of the Miami Herald (@EthanJSkolnick) joins host Nate Duncan (@NateDuncanNBA) to preview the Miami Heat.  

Topics include the return of Chris Bosh, how rookie Justise Winslow will fit in, and whether this team will be more or less than the sum of its parts. 

Subscribe to the Dunc'd On Basketball Podcast on iTunes or via the XML feed.

Click here for other team previews from the Dunc'd On Basketball Podcast.

Stephen A. Smith reported this week that the Los Angeles Lakers are his preferred team if he decides to not re-sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

“Regardless of how senseless it may (sound), in one breath I’m hearing that if Kevin Durant doesn’t stay in Oklahoma City, L.A. is his primary objective and landing spot as opposed to South Beach or even his home of Washington, D.C.,” Smith said.

Smith also said he's heard the New York Knicks could be in play for Durant.

“I heard Melo, Kevin Durant, Kobe,” Smith added. “And when you take into account that Phil Jackson is on the record saying it might be Kobe’s last year in L.A. — opening the door that there are possibilities for him to go elsewhere. All I’m saying is you just never know.”