Only a handful of NBA teams are still chasing their first championship, with the Denver Nuggets recently escaping this elusive club. Winning a title is a herculean task, and remaining on this list is frustrating from every angle—fans, organizations, and reputations alike.
Here, we explore the top 10 teams still dreaming and the unique reasons behind their ongoing quest for glory.
Phoenix Suns
Founded in 1968, the Phoenix Suns are a storied franchise with the fifth-best all-time winning percentage among active teams. Yet, they have never secured a championship, despite making the Finals thrice (1976, 1993, and 2021) and being home to 11 Hall of Famers and two MVPs—Charles Barkley and Steve Nash. Their relentless pursuit of that elusive title underscores the franchise’s enduring commitment to excellence.
Memphis Grizzlies
Established in 1995, the Memphis Grizzlies have developed a rich basketball culture but have struggled in the postseason. Notably, they never reached the NBA Finals, with their peak coming in the “Grit ‘n Grind” era, known for its tough, deliberate play. Despite regular competitiveness, they lacked the star power to clinch a championship, culminating in a sweep by the Spurs in the 2013 conference finals.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves, founded in 1989, have yet to reach the NBA Finals. Their pinnacle came in the 2003-04 season, led by MVP Kevin Garnett, but they fell to the Shaq-Kobe Lakers in the conference finals. Despite Garnett’s success, he left in 2007 to win a title with the Celtics. The franchise struggles to attract stars due to its market size, relying on developing homegrown talent.
Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets, who were formerly based in New Jersey, reached the NBA Finals in consecutive years, 2002 and 2003, only to be defeated by the dominant Shaq-Kobe Lakers and the Spurs’ Duncan-Parker duo, respectively. Despite a promising trio in 2021 featuring Durant, Harden, and Irving, injuries and internal conflicts thwarted their title aspirations. The subsequent seasons saw the stars departing, prolonging their championship drought.
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers won three ABA titles before joining the NBA in 1976. Despite Michael Jordan’s dominance in the ’90s, the Pacers reached the NBA Finals in 2000, only to be defeated by the dynastic Lakers. Key players like Reggie Miller and Jalen Rose led those efforts. Since then, they’ve reached the conference finals three times and eight times overall but have yet to return to the Finals stage.
Charlotte Hornets
Founded as the Charlotte Bobcats in 2004 after the original Hornets relocated to New Orleans, the Charlotte Hornets have had a tumultuous history. Acquired by Michael Jordan in 2010, the team struggled, becoming one of the league’s worst. Despite this, they only made it to the Conference Semifinals four times, with the last appearance in 2002. Jordan eventually sold his stake, leaving a legacy of missed opportunities.
New Orleans Pelicans
Originally the Charlotte Hornets, the franchise moved to New Orleans in 2002 and rebranded to the Pelicans in 2013. The team has been considered an expansion franchise since 2002. Despite the rebranding and a few notable playoff appearances, the Pelicans have struggled to reach the conference finals, making it only to the second round twice. Their quest for deeper playoff success remains a work in progress.
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz, one of the unluckiest teams, had their best shots at a championship in 1997 and 1998, both times falling to Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls. Famously, Jordan’s last shot as a Bull came against the Jazz in ’98. They have reached the conference finals six times, with their latest appearance in 2007, but the title remains elusive.
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic, 0-2 in NBA Finals appearances, were swept by Hakeem Olajuwon’s Rockets in 1995 and lost to Kobe’s Lakers in 2009. Their four conference finals appearances span two back-to-back runs: first with Shaq and Penny Hardaway in the mid-’90s, then with Dwight Howard a decade later. Among the bottom 10 in all-time winning percentage, the team may need a culture shake-up to attain greatness.
Los Angeles Clippers
Often overshadowed by the Lakers’ dominance, the Los Angeles Clippers have strived to carve their own legacy. They reached their first conference finals in the 2020-21 season but were hampered by Kawhi Leonard’s injury. Despite this setback, consistent playoff appearances—11 in the last 13 seasons—show the team’s growing competitiveness and future potential in the Western Conference.
The Bottom Line
As the Denver Nuggets showed, a title can finally come out of nowhere. However, given the difficulty of winning an NBA championship, these ten teams are still chasing their first and have unique battles to fight. Whether it’s overcoming past disappointments, building a stronger team culture, or attracting top talent, these teams remain determined in their pursuit of basketball immortality.
You can bet on some of these ten teams for their first NBA title next year! TheNBA teams odds and other news can give you some insight into who’s the favorite for next season. Of course, the top NBA betting sites will have them all listed as soon as they become available. But one thing is for sure – these teams will continue to fight until they finally reach their ultimate goal of lifting that coveted Larry O’Brien Trophy.
