Ranking 9 Ringless NBA All-Stars’ Chances to Finally Win a Title

Jul 13, 2019; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka (left) and head coach Frank Vogel (right) formally introduce Anthony Davis (3) at a press conference at the UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Griffin will likely go down as one of the game’s highest flyers we have ever seen. What does that mean for his championship hopes? Not much, especially with the former dunk champion stuck playing for a franchise that was just happy to make the playoffs last season before getting swept. It’s quite possible that he could end up being a modern-day Dominique Wilkins, more revered for his throwdowns than anything else. After all, who can forget when he jumped over a car? Of course, it’s always possible that the six-time All-Star and 2010-11 Rookie of the Year will get traded to a contender late in his career, but for now, it’s damn near impossible to see him winning a ring in Detroit with the pieces they have around him.

Will he ever win one: No

2019-20 odds: +30000

Over his 13 NBA seasons, Aldridge has been one of the most consistent scorers since he was drafted No. 2 overall by the Bulls and immediately shipped to Portland. The 6’11” big man can do it all, with not only a solid back-to-the-basket game but also enough range on his jumper to spread the floor and keep defenses honest—and his numbers prove that. In fact, the seven-time All-Star has averaged close to 20 points per game for his career, but on a declining Spurs team that no longer has a legit Big Three, we don’t see Aldridge with much of a chance at winning a title in San Antonio unless he’s eventually moved to a contender. That’s certainly possible with two years and $50 million left on his contract at the age of 34, but until then, don’t expect the Texas native to be popping any champagne bottles in June.

Will he ever win one: No

2019-20 odds: +5000

Since he came into the league as a rookie in 2012, “Dame Time” has been the heart and soul of the Trail Blazers. He has won Rookie of the Year honors and made four All-Star rosters in seven seasons all while guiding Portland to the playoffs in each of the last six, including a run to the Western Conference Finals this past season. For as fun and exciting as Lillard has been to watch though, a lot of the burden has fallen on his shoulders. Sure, he has a more-than-capable sidekick in CJ McCollum, who can carry a team when needed, but the big question for Lillard’s championship aspirations will be if Portland can ever attract a reliable third star. Maybe Jusuf Nurkic can fill that void upon his return, but with the 7' coming off a devastating leg injury last season, it’s unclear whether he alone will ever be enough to propel one of the league’s smallest-market teams into serious contention and push it over the top.

Will he ever win one: No

2019-20 odds: +5000

Despite playing in Charlotte for the past eight seasons, Walker has been one of the most exciting point guards in the NBA. Just look at his game log from last season, and you’ll see that the three-time All-Star had nearly 30 games with more than 30 points, including a 60-point outburst against the 76ers back in November. While finding his way onto national television shouldn’t be an issue now for him after landing with the Celtics this offseason, but the question remains: Will Boston contend with the Bucks and Raptors in the Eastern Conference with Walker leading the way? With Gordon Hayward and Jayson Tatum on the court as well as a solid rookie class that includes Carsen Edwards and Tacko Fall, Walker won’t have to go at it alone. But losing out on Anthony Davis was a major blow for Danny Ainge and the Cs, and there’s simply not enough talent on the roster at the moment to convince us that Kemba will be able to capture a title in Beantown.

Will he ever win one: No

2019-20 odds: +2500

Russ is a guy who came so close to a title in the past, in particular 2016 when OKC had a 3-1 lead over the Warriors. Of course, he and KD couldn't get it done, which led Durant to the Warriors where he won two rings, while Russ attempted to carry the Thunder to glory and just couldn't get it done. And sure, Thunder GM Sam Presti didn’t exactly help matters when he chose Serge Ibaka over James Harden, whom he traded away to the Rockets.

But now you and “The Beard” are reunited in Houston, forming one of the league’s several super duos with a couple of MVPs between the two of you. We just don't know how these current versions of Russ and Harden will mesh in Houston. Yes, we all know Westbrook has proven to be a triple-double machine over the last three seasons. Those numbers, however, don’t tell the whole story when you’re also shooting under 30 percent from three and less than 70 from the free throw line. Houston will be a fascinating team this season, but with how open the NBA will be, you can't completely count them out. 

Will he ever win one: 50/50 shot 

2019-20 odds: +800

It’s almost too fitting that two of the league’s biggest stat stuffers have been paired together to go up against a stacked Western Conference that has a couple of title contenders in Los Angeles, let alone an improved Utah squad, last season’s No. 2 seed in Denver, and a Portland team coming off a deep playoff run. As we all know, Harden has been an outstanding regular season player since he arrived in Houston seven years ago, but when it matters most, he fades down the stretch. Turnovers have been a problem, no doubt. Here’s another one: shooting 41 percent from the field in the playoffs the past four seasons. And just like Westbrook, Harden has squandered his own chances against the Warriors. The 2018 playoffs, when Houston had a lead at home at halftime in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, very well could be the closest he ever gets to claiming a title. And with the supporting cast he has right now and the team’s lack of cap space, Harden could end up being the best player in history to never win a ring.

Will he ever win one: Better shot at yes than no

2019-20 odds: +800

With a league-high 60 wins last season, you could argue that the Bucks—and not the Raptors—should have been facing off against the Warriors in the NBA Finals since they were the better team during the regular season. That, though, didn’t prove to be the case as Giannis and company faltered in their final two games of the Eastern Conference Finals. But after winning MVP at the age of 24, we have to believe that the “Greek Freak” is only going to get better when you consider both his offensive and defensive numbers continue to trend in the right direction. Will he have enough help in Milwaukee to do the deed and win the franchise’s only other championship? That could be the biggest determining factor as Antetokounmpo navigates through a career that has included three straight All-Star nods and All-Defensive First Team honors so far. Thankfully for him, he’s still got plenty of youth left on his side.

Will he ever win one: Yes

2019-20 odds: +500

Mr. Davis, your wish was their command. After giving New Orleans his blood, sweat, and tears the past seven seasons, AD had had enough of the Big Easy and its losing ways. The six-time All-Star stated that the next team he wanted to play for would be a championship contender, and what better way to do it than with another superstar who has won titles himself? LeBron James and “The Brow” might just be the best offensive duo the Lake Show has seen since the days of Shaq and Kobe. The good news for Lakers fans: they’re actually friends off the court. If both can stay healthy, and with ‘Bron now 34 that’s a bigger “if” than ever before, it would be silly not to think the Lakers can’t hang their 17th championship banner in Staples Center at some point over the next three seasons—if AD sticks around. 

Will he ever win one: Yes

2019-20 odds: +400

Paul George had a pretty great last two summers. A year ago, he was signing a four-year contract extension with the Thunder, giving hope to Oklahoma City that it could somehow remain relevant in the West. But after losing in the first round of the playoffs alongside Westbrook the last two seasons, PG-13 wanted out and once again, GM Sam Presti obliged by securing a trade that sent the six-time All-Star from Southern California to his preferred destination: the Clippers. George and Leonard should now easily form the best defensive tandem in the league, with point guard Patrick Beverly quite the ball hawk himself, and that’s not discounting either’s scoring prowess. Let’s just also not forget that the Clippers have one of the NBA’s best coaches in Doc Rivers, and that should pay big dividends for George in his quest to help capture the franchise’s first title.

Will he ever win one: Yes

2019-20 odds: +350