NBA Teams Never Won Championship: Ranked by Title Potential
Following the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 2025 NBA Championship win, the focus shifts: Which NBA teams, still without a title, are poised to break through? This News Directory 3 piece ranks the remaining franchises based on their championship potential, analyzing key factors. We dive deep into the strengths and weaknesses of the Jazz, Pelicans, Hornets, Suns, Nets, Grizzlies, and Clippers – assessing their rosters, draft prospects, and overall strategic positioning. Injuries, trades, and player development will all play a part in the next NBA champion being crowned.Discover which team has the best chance to finally hoist the trophy.
Ranking NBA’s title-less teams: Which will win first?
Updated June 23, 2025
The Oklahoma City Thunder are the 2025 NBA champions, having defeated the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in Game 7. This marks the franchise’s first title since relocating from Seattle. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander earned Finals MVP honors, capping off a season where he also won league MVP.
While the Pacers put up a strong fight, the Thunder’s dominance throughout the season prevailed. The festivity was tempered by an early exit from Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, who suffered an Achilles injury in the first quarter. Despite the setback, Indiana continued to battle, making for an entertaining Finals series.
Looking ahead, the Thunder are favored to repeat next season.But which of the 10 NBA teams without a title is most likely to win one next?
Here’s a ranking of those teams, from least to most likely to win a championship:
The Jazz finished with 17 wins, making them a long shot for contention. Without lottery luck, they face more seasons of rebuilding. While they have future draft picks, landing a star player is not guaranteed. There’s speculation they may tank to acquire top prospect AJ Dybantsa.
The Pelicans have a talented roster on paper, but Zion Williamson’s health and off-court issues hinder their potential. His inability to stay healthy and recent legal troubles cast doubt on his future with the team.
Even with players like Dejounte Murray,Trey Murphy III,Herbert Jones,and CJ McCollum,the Pelicans lack a consistently healthy star and face tough competition in the Western Conference,likely remaining a play-in team.
The Hornets, after a 19-63 season, landed the No. 4 pick. While this could accelerate their rebuild, their track record of building a contender is questionable.Injuries to LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller have hampered their progress. Being in the weaker Eastern Conference offers a chance for a surprise playoff appearance if they can stay healthy.
The Suns traded Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for an underwhelming return. Their core now consists of Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Bradley Beal, and their No. 10 draft pick. While they could improve the roster, they are currently further from contention than when Durant was on the team.
The Suns also lack control of their first-round picks between 2026 and 2031, creating a grim outlook unless they trade Booker. The chances of them contending in the near future are low.
The Nets lack franchise centerpieces but possess a significant number of future picks. This allows them to pursue star acquisitions. while a previous attempt failed, they could try again.Cam Johnson and Nic Claxton are also valuable assets. The Nets are well-positioned to quickly change their trajectory.
Despite trading Desmond Bane, the grizzlies are unlikely to dismantle their roster.Even if they move on from Ja Morant, they still have Defensive Player of the Year Jaren jackson Jr. to build around. They also acquired a possibly high lottery pick from the Suns in 2026. While reaching the NBA Finals would be tough, the Grizzlies were a 50-plus win team not long ago.
The Clippers are often considered contenders, but injuries consistently derail their chances. This year,they faced the Denver Nuggets in the first round. Kawhi Leonard, despite an injury-plagued start, showed glimpses of his former self.
What’s next
The NBA landscape remains dynamic, with teams constantly evolving through trades, drafts, and player development. The quest for a championship continues for these title-less franchises, each with its own unique path and challenges.