The 5 Most Dysfunctional Franchises in the NBA Today

These five NBA franchises just can't help themselves and perpetually field losing teams while sporting front offices that never get things right.

Deandre Ayton Devin Booker Suns Bench 2018
USA Today Sports

Oct 17, 2018; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (left) and guard Devin Booker on the bench in the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Deandre Ayton Devin Booker Suns Bench 2018

Earlier this month, Sports Illustrated named an entire NBA franchise—the Golden State Warriors— its Sportsperson of the Year. “It was impossible to overlook the influence that the Warriors, as a collective group, have had on their sport and the broader culture over the last half-decade,” Chris Stone, SI’s editor in chief, said in the announcement.

The Warriors have won three of the last four NBA titles and appear to be well on their way to being champions again (sorry, Raptors fans). Though Kevin Durant joined the Dubs late—transforming them from loveable upstarts to despised villains—owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber and general manager Bob Myers built their team the right way. They drafted well. They found the perfect coach. They structured their players’ contracts judiciously. They built a positive culture.

The Warriors have become the epitome of a functional sports franchise, with the business world looking to the team as an example of the right way to run an organization. A number of NBA teams, however, provide a stark contrast.

The Kings haven’t made the playoffs since 2006, the Suns since 2010. James Dolan’s Knicks have only made it beyond the first round once since 2000. Why does it feel like the Magic have had a top-five pick in every draft since 1940? Fans of these teams, and others, have been subject to misery because of their incompetence.

Below, we present the five most dysfunctional NBA franchises.

Just missed the cut: Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, Washington Wizards

5. Orlando Magic

DJ Augustin Magic Suns 2018

4. Sacramento Kings

Vlade Divac Vivek Ranadive Kings Courtside 2017

3. New York Knicks

Kristaps Porzingis Knicks Suns Bench 2018

2. Cleveland Cavaliers

Tristan Thompson Cavaliers Bench 2018

1. Phoenix Suns

Deandre Ayton Devin Booker Suns Bench 2018

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