NBA: Boston Celtics at New York Knicks
NBA: Boston Celtics at New York Knicks
This NBA offseason has been hectic. Star players have been traded, key pieces have signed elsewhere, and franchises are being sold. While some teams are gearing up for what they hope to be a competitive season, others may face a harsher reality.
Every year, teams try to make the best decisions possible, but sometimes fail. It happens all the time. Not every team can compete for a championship, and some organizations may take longer to realize that than others.
So while some teams are headed in the right direction, let’s look at five teams who seem to be going backwards as we close in on the start of NBA training camps in September.
Charlotte Hornets
NBA: Playoffs-Charlotte Hornets at Orlando Magic5
Apr 17, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel (7) shoots during the second half against the Orlando Magic during the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images
While the Charlotte Hornets do have some enticing young pieces, it’s hard to ignore the significant moves they have made this offseason. They traded LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges, two players who have been core parts of their roster for the last half-decade or so. Their return on them wasn’t amazing, and after their positive end to last season, it was interesting to see them trade their best player.
A lot of their future rides on the development of Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel, two great young players. Charlotte, however, should be aware they are nowhere near as talented as some other rosters in the Eastern Conference. They voluntarily took on Dennis Schroder and Dorian Finney-Smith’s contracts, two negative assets at this point in their careers. While the players they drafted made sense, it may take this team time to become true competitors.
Golden State Warriors
WNBA: Toronto Tempo at Golden State Valkyries5
Aug 2, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green sits court side during the fourth quarter between the Golden State Valkyries and Toronto Tempo at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
Outside of Stephen Curry, the Golden State Warriors have one bright spot on their roster. That would be Yaxel Lendeborg, the player they drafted 11th overall in this year’s NBA draft. So far this offseason, the Warriors have been quieter than any other team. They have made no trades and have signed no new players. Their front office has basically admitted to running the same roster back.
With Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody out for most of next season, the Warriors’ near future is a giant question mark. Curry, at 38, can only do so much himself, and his supporting cast for next season isn’t anything to brag about. Don’t be surprised if the Warriors are part of a massive mid-season trade if all things go south in the Bay.
Boston Celtics
NBA: Playoffs-Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics5
May 2, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) goes for a loose ball with Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the first quarter of game seven of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
The Boston Celtics may prove us all wrong in two years if the Jaylen Brown trade ages well. It was more the return they got for Brown than actually trading him that made it so negatively viewed. A 36-year-old Paul George and two future picks is nothing to write home about when it comes to trading a franchise cornerstone.
Boston addressed their needs by signing Mitchell Robinson and Mike Conley, but that will provide nowhere near as much value as Brown did. While Boston seems to be playing the long game of addressing their team’s financial situation before it’s too late, relying on guys like Baylor Scheierman and Hugo Gonzalez may not bode well for their record this season. Not to mention Jayson Tatum, who will be the main guy one year post-Achilles surgery
New Orleans Pelicans
NBA: New Orleans Pelicans at Minnesota Timberwolves5
Apr 12, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Derik Queen (22) dribbles the ball past Minnesota Timberwolves forward Enrique Freeman (25) in the first half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
The New Orleans Pelicans are one of the most confusing teams in the NBA. They have a roster full of talented players, but can’t put together a competitive lineup. Their appearance on this list has little to do with their intention of winning and a lot to do with their lack of trades made this offseason.
They have guys like Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy, and even Zion Williamson who could have been moved this offseason, but New Orleans decided to hang on to every player that could have had an ounce of interest from another team. Instead, they signed Deandre Jordan to a two-year fully guaranteed deal.
Their roster moving forward has question marks. Do they want Jeremiah Fears to be their long-term point guard? If so, why not trade Murray or Jordan Poole? On top of that, the numbers showed Derrick Queen and Zion don’t fit together, so why not address that problem? There was a lot of potential for New Orleans to turn things around, and they took zero initiative.
Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets5
Apr 6, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) and center Nikola Jokic (15) in the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
The Denver Nuggets are in one of the worst spots in the NBA financially. So much so that they just traded Peyton Watson so they wouldn’t have to extend him. Watson was arguably their third-best player last season, and with him gone and no one back in return, this team will suffer from their lack of bench depth.
Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun were both unreliable last season due to their health. In the midst of his prime, Nikola Jokic is getting no help from Denver’s front office. Their drafting has been subpar, and they have recently handed out bad contracts. With Jokic entering the final year of his contract, this isn’t an ideal state for the Nuggets to be in.