The top 10 Longest Championship Droughts in NBA History

By Edcel Panganiban August 21, 2024 00:31

Photo by Pantozzi/NBAE/Getty Images

The NBA is a place of historic teams, illustrious players, and moments that live on forever, but some teams have been the exact opposite of that successful. The time has been a curse and blessing for others, as long-suffering fans of some franchises have despaired from years-long NBA title droughts. Here, we look at the ten teams with the longest title droughts in NBA history and what factors led to such long struggles. We analyze where every team these days is and how they should be able to improve.

1. Sacramento Kings

Last Championship: 1951
Sports Championship Drought: 73-years

The Major Reasons Behind Drought

The Kings, then known as the Rochester Royals, won their only championship in 1951. Since then, the franchise has undergone several geographic and team name changes. The Kings have also experienced many managerial and ownership changes that made the team hard to root for, as some were bad roster decisions or coaching hires.

Current State and Outlook

The Kings, as they stand now, have shown signs of recovery in recent years, qualifying for the playoffs. A young core led by De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis provides hope that they may end their half-century-long Wait For Godot soon.

2. Atlanta Hawks

Last Championship: 1958
Years Since Last Championship: 66 (1950)

The Major Reasons Behind Drought

The Hawks last won the championship as the St. Louis Hawks in 1958. Since moving to Atlanta, the franchise has had issues with star power and inconsistent playoff performances. Other, stronger powers in the Eastern Conference have long overshadowed the team.

Current State and Outlook

The franchise has made strides forward in recent years, thanks mostly to Trae Young's transformation into an outright star. They may still win a championship one day, but they need to surround him with a more all-around team.

3. Phoenix Suns

Last Championship: None

The Major Reasons Behind Drought

Their drought, driven by frequent playoff near-misses and heavy competition from rival programs, includes the following significant factors. The 2020-21 season was a particularly hard loss as they had a good start in the Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks to go up two games, but couldn't get the job done in the end.

Current State and Outlook

That leaves plenty of room for the Suns, featuring stars like Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, to compete in a title-chasing situation.

4. Los Angeles Clippers

Last Championship: Never

The Major Reasons Behind Drought

The Clippers have been synonymous with bad front-office decision-making and losing in the playoffs. Even with the likes of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin in Lob City, they always fell comically short come playoff time.

Current State and Outlook

The Clippers, featuring Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, have a capable roster to compete while the Thunder sought draft capital to aid in their rebuild. But health has been a major issue, and their collective ability to stay fit will be crucial in contending for the title.

5. New York Knicks

Last Championship: 1973
Last Title: 51 years

The Major Reasons Behind Drought

Ownership, questionable management decisions, and a carousel of coaching changes have all contributed to New York's longest playoff drought. The Knicks have mostly failed to be competitive in the Eastern Conference.

Current State and Outlook

The Knicks finally kept the playoffs in sight. They have their fair share of young talent in Jaylen Brunson, Julius Randle, and the rest of the Villanova boys, who fit their role as they look for a way back to championship contention.

6. Utah Jazz

Championships (Made Finals in 1997, 1998)
Last Championship: 1966-67 (50 years ago in the pre-NBA era)

The Major Reasons Behind Drought

The Jazz made the N.B.A. finals twice in 1997 and 1998 but were runners-up to Chicago both times. The team has been unable to do so since, floundering in the playoffs. Their championship hopes have floundered as they've struggled to lure in the top free agents.

Current State and Outlook

They're currently rebuilding and have a long way to go in being relevant in a tough Western Conference.

7. Brooklyn Nets

Last championship: Never (Made Finals in 2002, 2003)

The Major Reasons Behind Drought

The team has made the NBA Finals twice, but never to a title. The franchise has had highs and lows, including a huge rebuild and acquiring star players such as Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, etc. But injuries and chemistry issues have derailed their postseason paths.

Current State and Outlook

The Nets have a young roster. Like the Jazz, the Nets are currently rebuilding and are years away from title contention.

8. Indiana Pacers

Championships: none

The Major Reasons Behind Drought

Unfortunately, the Pacers have been less than successful, and while they've made it to an NBA Finals series in 2000, but they lost to LA Lakers. The team has certainly gone due to its ups and downs amid hefty roster changes and injuries compromising them in their historical playoff runs.

Current State and Outlook

Indiana is in transition with the new and exciting Tyrese Haliburton era. They are not a competitor now, but there is reason for optimism in the future if they do well with their young talent.

9. Portland Trail Blazers

Last Championship: 1977
46 years without a championship

The Major Reasons Behind Drought

The Trail Blazers have struggled to return to the championship games, which they appeared in twice in 1990 and, of course, that 1977 title. Injuries and strong competition in the Western Conference have frequently kept them at bay.

10. Washington Wizards

Last Championship: 1978
Last Title: 46 years.

The Major Reasons Behind Drought

It was previously known as the Bullets, and last won a title in 1978. The team has been up and down since then, between caliper efforts on ice, ongoing specters of managerial incompetence, or unfamiliarity with promises of the postseason but little playoff action.

Current State and Outlook

The Wizards are in rebuilding mode, as they still have key young and veteran player pieces on the team. How well they can develop their young prospects will go a long way toward determining whether the championship curse is broken down the road.

The path to an NBA title is littered with obstacles. Over their storied histories, these ten teams have felt the pinnacles of professional basketball along high and low without ever winning it all. A few franchises look like they have hope and need to rebuild. Fans hope their team can find ways to navigate the reasons for these long championship droughts.

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