The top 10 Longest Championship Droughts in NBA History
By Edcel Panganiban August 21, 2024 00:31
The NBA is a league filled historic teams, illustrious players, and moments that live on forever. However, some teams have been the exact opposite of 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 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, and Bradley Beal, to compete in a title-chasing situation.
4. Los Angeles Clippers
- Last Championship: None
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 James Haden, have a capable roster to compete. 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 championship drought. The Knicks have mostly failed to be competitive in the Eastern Conference until last season.
Current State and Outlook
The Knicks finally kept the playoffs in sight. They have their fair share of young talent in Jaylen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, 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 might become a real threat in the East after a couple of years if they play their cards right.
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 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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