Who is the worst positioned team for the rest of the decade?

[Johnny Tomala]

Kings. They will be terrible forever.

[dhsilv2]

The Knicks and Kings are only on this because of their history. Both teams actually have picks, assets, and not really any bad deals to stack against them.

Well and their owners and GM's....and where they play doesn't help.

[ConSarnit]

how many chips did the clips win in the last 5 years again? we all know they are the preseason champs, that is worth something. also, making the playoffs is a huge accomplishment

You’re underselling the Clippers. The only reason they were a laughing stock is because they had the worst owner in sports history. Now they have a competent owner and are in LA. It’s not a coincidence stars headed there as soon as Sterling was gone. Lebron and Rich Paul wanted David Geffen to buy the Clips in 2010 because Lebron wanted to go to LA.

The Clips will be a force to reckon with going forward (not at the Lakers level) because guys want to play in LA. It’s similar to BKN. KD and Kyrie would have went to the Knicks if not for Dolan.

If you are a marginally competent owner of an LA or NY basketball team stars will want to play for you.

That’s great. I hope Clippers thrive. They will never ever ever ever ever (one more time for emphasis) be the lakers.

Who cares. That’s not the point.

[Scalabrine]

The Knicks and Kings are only on this because of their history. Both teams actually have picks, assets, and not really any bad deals to stack against them.

Well and their owners and GM's....and where they play doesn't help.

Playing in New York City and at Madison Square Garden "doesn't help"?????

[MagicBagley18]

You’re underselling the Clippers. The only reason they were a laughing stock is because they had the worst owner in sports history. Now they have a competent owner and are in LA. It’s not a coincidence stars headed there as soon as Sterling was gone. Lebron and Rich Paul wanted David Geffen to buy the Clips in 2010 because Lebron wanted to go to LA.

The Clips will be a force to reckon with going forward (not at the Lakers level) because guys want to play in LA. It’s similar to BKN. KD and Kyrie would have went to the Knicks if not for Dolan.

If you are a marginally competent owner of an LA or NY basketball team stars will want to play for you.

That’s great. I hope Clippers thrive. They will never ever ever ever ever (one more time for emphasis) be the lakers.

Who cares. That’s not the point.

It absolutely is. You just aren’t getting it. Being the lakers allows them the Luxury of being mismanaged and STILL acquiring top level superstars via free agency. You comparing the lakers to the Knicks just shows how off base you are. The lakers even with what looks to be questionable to bad ownership are 2 years removed from a championship.

I believe they have 6 rings since the turn of the century And this is whom you compare to the Knicks ?!? Lol. Yes, the clippers can attract free agents and they can have success in their own lane but it will never matter to Los Angeles the way it does when the lakers win.

The lakers will always attract superstars- that’s what you seem to be missing. Doesn’t mean the clippers won’t but it’s exactly why the lakers won’t suck for a decade. They have an inherent advantage that like 25 teams don’t have : Hollywood and history.

[OrangeBlueSkies]

Knicks, Kings and Wizards.

You my friend are in denial.

[MoneyTalks41890]

The Knicks and Kings are only on this because of their history. Both teams actually have picks, assets, and not really any bad deals to stack against them.

Well and their owners and GM's....and where they play doesn't help.

Playing in New York City and at Madison Square Garden "doesn't help"?????

I mean as long as Dolan is there probably not. It hasn't helped to date. Who's the best free agent they've signed in the last decade? JR Smith?

[Godymas]

Why are the Wizards even on here, yes they're going to max Beal. I also think Beal will stay healthier and be more productive on that contract than John Wall ever was. Porzingis has 1 year left on his contract and then he's an expiring. I think Porzingis will play up to value and the Wiz will be an underrated team next year, maybe 45-50 wins in the East and solid 6th seed.

The Wiz still have a ton of picks, have some solid rotation pieces, could very easily make moves to try and be a solid team.

Now do I think the Wiz will be a contender for the next decade? Not really unless something crazy happens where we get a generational player in the draft or make a crazy win now move. I don't think the it's THAT grim for the future of the Wiz though. Beal will probably be pretty good on his contract, his game isn't like John Wall's where it's insane athleticism and speed and quickness, Beal has a bit more finesse and handles to his game. I also think that Beal is going to always be able to be moved to Boston as long as Tatum is their guy. I also think at some point Beal might just end up on Boston while being paid that max too.

Why is no one talking about the Clippers? If Kawhi suffers a career ending injury (which is not out of question) in the next 2 years, they are completely screwed until 2027. Yes they have the win now pieces, but so far the Kawhi years have been a bit of a let down. Can Kawhi stay healthy for even a single season of basketball? Can he play at an elite level while staying healthy for the entire playoffs? Toronto may have gotten incredibly lucky in 2019.

Teams with assets should not be on this list. Why the hell are the Orlando Magic on here they have a ton of great young talent and plenty of draft capital. The Knicks, while not ideal, are still in a position to re-tool and rebuild with solid young talent. If the Knicks score in just one lottery they're definitely going to have a bright future.

[510TWSS]

Kangz is the only logical answer based on recent history. Does anyone trust vivek to not **** it up every single time?

Basketball gods are punishing them for not taking Luka

[macNcheese3]

Bulls should get a mention here. We suck as is right now, plus have 2 future 1sts owed. This time next year we can very well be handing over a top 10 pick for free. Might as well call us the Brooklyn Bulls

I agree with the Bulls. They are in a treadmill position. If I may add the Lakers as already mentioned, Sacramento because they just can’t do anything right under Vivek.

[stillgotgame]

The Knicks and Kings are only on this because of their history. Both teams actually have picks, assets, and not really any bad deals to stack against them.

Knicks also have Dolan. You’re guaranteed purgatory until he sells the team or leaves.
Need proof a meddling owner is a killer - look what happened to the Bucks when Herb Kohl finally sold the team. Instant karma.

Well they drafted Giannis the year before he sold the team. If they hadn't hit on that I doubt they'd be in any better of a situation to be honest with you. The 13 seasons previous to that, they had made the playoffs 8 times.

I never want to argue for Dolan, but I will say that the Rangers are considered a very well run franchise in the NHL and Dolan owns them as well.

1 playoff series win in 20+ years. Yeah, I hope the Rangers are better run, be hard not to.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2019-07-26/is-the-knicks-james-dolan-the-worst-owner-in-professional-sports

[Whole Truth]

Very easy.The Lakers and it's not even close. They have zero 1st round draft picks until 2027(yes you're reading that correctly). They have Lebron James,who will opt out for Free Agency after next season. Russell Westbrook will be a Free Agent after next season.That leave them with a injury prome Anthony Davis and bunch of low tier role player/scrubs until Davis expire in 2025,which at that point,he will opt out for free agency. I wouldn't be suprised if from the 2025/26-2027/28 seasons,their best players end up being someone like Austin Reeves or Horton Tucker who both have ceiling of a low tier role players. Even the 80s Clippers or the 2010s Kings weren't this awful position wise and had some actual good players to work with despite of being terrible overall.

Lakers don't have their pick potentially till 2027 because NO's own the right to swap yrs in 24/25 which ties up an additional yr. If Lakers are lottery in 24 & NO's like their draft position, Lakers will have their 25th pick & can trade their 26th pick. So essentially if LA is bad in the recent future & convey in 24, it would be the last yr they owe a pick restricting future trade. Same yr they possible shed most of their salary obligation.

If Davis is relatively healthy next season, Lakers will IMO have a bounce back yr.. Lebron didn't take the 2 yr extension & Russ is coming off the books in 24. One last run with Lebron/AD 23, one thow away season 24, they clear their cap, their picks owed & still have Davs in his prime if he's not traded for assets.

I wouldb't put money on their demise, though it's possible.

Where I think LA could really destroy their future is if they continue to force this current situation to build around Lebron, instead of letting Russ expire, compoiunding a mistake, with another.

Appeasment put them in this position, appeasment will compound the issue. Lakers take back control, they have a relatively quick out, with options but that's a big if..

[Whole Truth]

If the Sixers re-sign Harden to a long term max deal, it's them, and it's not even close.

This.

[Lalouie]

not only are the lakers bad

they are old
lebron is not helping
he will leave to join bronny
he has already said everything short of "i'm outta here"
as bad as they are, the lakers will be DECLINING
they have no assets but the man who wants to leave
no one wants to play with lebron
no coach and probably a coach who will only be there through lebron's remaining tenure
they can't shoot and can't play D

i defy anyone to tell me one good thing about the lakers' future other than addition by subtraction

[Statlanta]

Probably the Magic since the East is so strong now. The Lakers even if LeBron and Pelinka traded every pick tomorrow would still have the superstar draw of following Kobe's footsteps.

[madmaxmedia]

Very easy.The Lakers and it's not even close. They have zero 1st round draft picks until 2027(yes you're reading that correctly). They have Lebron James,who will opt out for Free Agency after next season. Russell Westbrook will be a Free Agent after next season.That leave them with a injury prome Anthony Davis and bunch of low tier role player/scrubs until Davis expire in 2025,which at that point,he will opt out for free agency. I wouldn't be suprised if from the 2025/26-2027/28 seasons,their best players end up being someone like Austin Reeves or Horton Tucker who both have ceiling of a low tier role players. Even the 80s Clippers or the 2010s Kings weren't this awful position wise and had some actual good players to work with despite of being terrible overall.

Lakers don't have their pick potentially till 2027 because NO's own the right to swap yrs in 24/25 which ties up an additional yr. If Lakers are lottery in 24 & NO's like their draft position, Lakers will have their 25th pick & can trade their 26th pick. So essentially if LA is bad in the recent future & convey in 24, it would be the last yr they owe a pick restricting future trade. Same yr they possible shed most of their salary obligation.

If Davis is relatively healthy next season, Lakers will IMO have a bounce back yr.. Lebron didn't take the 2 yr extension & Russ is coming off the books in 24. One last run with Lebron/AD 23, one thow away season 24, they clear their cap, their picks owed & still have Davs in his prime if he's not traded for assets.

I wouldb't put money on their demise, though it's possible.

Where I think LA could really destroy their future is if they continue to force this current situation to build around Lebron, instead of letting Russ expire, compoiunding a mistake, with another.

Appeasment put them in this position, appeasment will compound the issue. Lakers take back control, they have a relatively quick out, with options but that's a big if..

The big risk factor is Anthony Davis, and what his early 30's 'prime' is going to actually be. He's not what they thought he'd be when they gave up a ton for him. He's not the big alpha guy that can replace Lebron, but that's still okay if he stays reasonably healthy and maintains his level of play. There is a scenario where he starts missing more games and his play further declines (along with his trade value), which then puts the org in a really tough spot trying rebuild.

[Whole Truth]

Very easy.The Lakers and it's not even close. They have zero 1st round draft picks until 2027(yes you're reading that correctly). They have Lebron James,who will opt out for Free Agency after next season. Russell Westbrook will be a Free Agent after next season.That leave them with a injury prome Anthony Davis and bunch of low tier role player/scrubs until Davis expire in 2025,which at that point,he will opt out for free agency. I wouldn't be suprised if from the 2025/26-2027/28 seasons,their best players end up being someone like Austin Reeves or Horton Tucker who both have ceiling of a low tier role players. Even the 80s Clippers or the 2010s Kings weren't this awful position wise and had some actual good players to work with despite of being terrible overall.

Lakers don't have their pick potentially till 2027 because NO's own the right to swap yrs in 24/25 which ties up an additional yr. If Lakers are lottery in 24 & NO's like their draft position, Lakers will have their 25th pick & can trade their 26th pick. So essentially if LA is bad in the recent future & convey in 24, it would be the last yr they owe a pick restricting future trade. Same yr they possible shed most of their salary obligation.

If Davis is relatively healthy next season, Lakers will IMO have a bounce back yr.. Lebron didn't take the 2 yr extension & Russ is coming off the books in 24. One last run with Lebron/AD 23, one thow away season 24, they clear their cap, their picks owed & still have Davs in his prime if he's not traded for assets.

I wouldb't put money on their demise, though it's possible.

Where I think LA could really destroy their future is if they continue to force this current situation to build around Lebron, instead of letting Russ expire, compoiunding a mistake, with another.

Appeasment put them in this position, appeasment will compound the issue. Lakers take back control, they have a relatively quick out, with options but that's a big if..

The big risk factor is Anthony Davis, and what his early 30's 'prime' is going to actually be. He's not what they thought he'd be when they gave up a ton for him. He's not the big alpha guy that can replace Lebron, but that's still okay if he stays reasonably healthy and maintains his level of play. There is a scenario where he starts missing more games and his play further declines (along with his trade value), which then puts the org in a really tough spot trying rebuild.

Agree. It's why the future is hard to predict, there's too many variables that can change from yr to yr.

[Scalabrine]

Well and their owners and GM's....and where they play doesn't help.

Playing in New York City and at Madison Square Garden "doesn't help"?????

I mean as long as Dolan is there probably not. It hasn't helped to date. Who's the best free agent they've signed in the last decade? JR Smith?

Kind of a stupid argument seeing as we haven't had cap space in all but 2 of those seasons. One of those seasons we signed Amare Stoudemire, that same season we traded for Carmelo Anthony after he demanded a trade to the Knicks specifically, and then the one other year we had any significant cap space we sign Julius Randle, who wasn't a star, but he was still one of the better free agent signings that off-season and has gone on to win MIP and 2nd Team All-NBA and just came off a 2nd consecutive season where he averaged 20+10+5+.

If you don't see that theres any appeal to MSG and NYC over a place like OKC or Sacramento than I have to assume you need to get out more.

[Saints14]

It can’t be the Lakers. If you said Lakers 9 years ago after the Nash/Dwight debacle you would have looked right for the next 5 years, then a few years later they go and win a chip. The short term future looks bleak for LAL but I’d bet on them being title contenders again within the next 10 years.

Kings is probably the right answer with horrific front office and their lack of top level talent or high upside young players. A few sleepers might be Spurs and Blazers: Spurs because they also don’t have anyone looking like a future all-NBA player on the roster, and with Pop likely gone soon their coaching/front office advantage may fade. Blazers have an aging star, no particularly interesting prospects and an unknown coach/front office. I also think the Jazz have some rough years ahead of them but trust their front office enough to turn it around relatively quickly

[Incipio]

Very easy.The Lakers and it's not even close. They have zero 1st round draft picks until 2027(yes you're reading that correctly). They have Lebron James,who will opt out for Free Agency after next season. Russell Westbrook will be a Free Agent after next season.That leave them with a injury prome Anthony Davis and bunch of low tier role player/scrubs until Davis expire in 2025,which at that point,he will opt out for free agency. I wouldn't be suprised if from the 2025/26-2027/28 seasons,their best players end up being someone like Austin Reeves or Horton Tucker who both have ceiling of a low tier role players. Even the 80s Clippers or the 2010s Kings weren't this awful position wise and had some actual good players to work with despite of being terrible overall.

Lakers don't have their pick potentially till 2027 because NO's own the right to swap yrs in 24/25 which ties up an additional yr. If Lakers are lottery in 24 & NO's like their draft position, Lakers will have their 25th pick & can trade their 26th pick. So essentially if LA is bad in the recent future & convey in 24, it would be the last yr they owe a pick restricting future trade. Same yr they possible shed most of their salary obligation.

If Davis is relatively healthy next season, Lakers will IMO have a bounce back yr.. Lebron didn't take the 2 yr extension & Russ is coming off the books in 24. One last run with Lebron/AD 23, one thow away season 24, they clear their cap, their picks owed & still have Davs in his prime if he's not traded for assets.

I wouldb't put money on their demise, though it's possible.

Agree.
Lakers have a first round pick in 2023, a pick in 2024 or 2025, and then all their first round picks 2026 and onward. Whoever said Lakers have no first round picks until 2027 is straight up lying.
Lakers also don't have any terrible long term contracts. They can easily add a max free agent to pair with AD if Lebron is gone.