What does it mean to be in NBA purgatory? Essentially, it’s a state where a team isn’t strong enough to make a playoff run, but isn’t poor enough to land a top pick in the draft that could turn their fortunes around.
To be fair, the odds in lottery drafts haven’t always favored teams that decide to tank. For example, the Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, and New Orleans Pelicans all opted for a less competitive season last year, yet none secured a top-five pick. This year, the Pelicans won’t contend after trading away their unprotected first-round picks for Derrick Queen, a move that many viewed as rash. Meanwhile, the other two teams are still figuring things out.
Being stuck in the middle without prospects for improvement is perhaps the worst situation in the NBA. Currently, there are six teams that embody this predicament.
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are attempting to rebuild while avoiding a full tank. This approach feels a bit ambitious—or maybe even unrealistic. Chicago was once in a solid position to take a step back after injuries affected their 2021 season, but the lack of decisive moves from management has left them in limbo. A proposed trade, involving Alex Caruso for Josh Giddy, hasn’t materialized. The roster has some decent players, but Giddy and Coby White are both nearing new contracts, and veteran Nicola Vucevic finds himself in a complicated situation. The hope is that young talents like Matas Buselis or their first-round pick Noah Essenge might develop into stars. While Buselis showed promise, the lack of clarity on their next franchise player is concerning. The current goal seems to be a low playoff seed, which may not align with the long-term stability required to secure a high draft pick in the future. A coaching change could be a necessary step, though it hasn’t happened yet, much to the fans’ frustration. The Bulls might keep filling the arena, but the overall trajectory looks uncertain.
Miami Heat
The Heat, one of two teams to appear in multiple NBA Finals in the past few seasons (the other being the Celtics), are still searching for that franchise star. They’ve had a disappointing couple of years, winning only one playoff game, and been eliminated after a lackluster regular season. While Tyler Hero has shown all-star potential and Bam Adebayo is solid, both players feel more like secondary options rather than primary stars. With Pat Riley, at 80 years old, still chasing superstars, the younger players aren’t quite inspiring. I thought Kasparas Jakucionis had great potential as a 20th pick, and last year’s rookie Keruelware could make an impact if he learns to harness his skills. A full rebuild might be the best option, but that can be tricky; missing the playoffs and owing an unprotected first-round pick can create challenges. Will they push for another big name in trades, or stick to their current plan? They could end up as a play-in team again.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors appear to be in a difficult position, having paid the price for previous trades. The deals involving OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam didn’t yield the expected results, leaving Toronto without extra draft capital while needing to rebuild. They’ve got several players under contract, but none truly stand out as franchise players. While I had high hopes for Colin Murray Boyless as a first-round pick, the fit feels off. If quickly has a bounce-back season and Ingram integrates smoothly, perhaps Toronto could surprise this season. But it’s hard to see a realistic path forward, especially with Masai Ujiri stepping back from operations. The future could take a different direction, and it will be intriguing to see their next moves.
Sacramento Kings
The Kings made headlines a few years ago by ending a long playoff drought and challenging the Warriors in the first round. However, subsequent seasons have been disappointing. De’Aaron Fox’s situation mimics the 2023 Bulls with his struggles, and the trade for Domantas Sabonis doesn’t look like the win they hoped for. Despite the team’s efforts, mistakes continue to plague them, and Scott Perry is now tasked with changing course after Monte McNair’s departure. The Western Conference is a tough battleground. They might be better than the Jazz and Pelicans, but that’s not saying much.
Phoenix Suns
The Suns took a significant risk by trading Kevin Durant after a missed playoff opportunity, despite having one of the highest payrolls. They probably should’ve considered dealing Devin Booker, but they opted to keep him instead. With a hefty extension now in place, they’re trying to build around him. Drafting Khaman Maluach with their 10th pick could be a silver lining; if he develops as expected, there could be a pathway to recovery. However, they have very little room for error moving forward. The immediate outlook in the West doesn’t seem bright, and long-term prospects could be troubling. The league will inevitably watch Booker’s movements closely, especially if they continue to struggle.
The Memphis Grizzlies
Once regarded as a model for small-market franchises, the Grizzlies now feel stuck in a rut, especially as competition increases. They’re evidently in need of a reset after offloading head coach Taylor Jenkins and possibly Desmond Bain. The team feels heavily reliant on Ja Morant, who hasn’t managed to stay healthy enough recently to justify his previous hype. Jaren Jackson Jr. has stepped up, albeit with a contract that limits flexibility. Securing four first-round picks for Bain was a highlight, but they’ve already lost some value. If they can land a lottery pick this year, that might provide some much-needed help. It’s hard to overlook their ability to draft well, but they will need a stroke of luck moving forward to avoid getting lost in the crowded Western Conference.
