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The 2023-24 NBA season is set to tip off on Tuesday. Naturally, optimism is abounding for all 30 teams. However, there are still only eight playoff spots available in each conference. So, like every season, 14 teams will be lottery-bound, and of those 14 teams, a select few will establish themselves as bottom feeders.
With the league’s increased level of parity in recent years, predicting these bottom feeders continues to grow tougher. Gone are the days when teams would kick off the season with rosters void of NBA talent to try and tank for higher draft picks. Now, even the “worst” teams are filled with young talent that should get their respective fan bases at least somewhat excited.
So, on that note, here are five NBA teams that project to finish toward the bottom of the league this season:
5 teams that could finish with the worst records in the 2023-24 NBA season
#5. Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers were one of the busiest teams during the offseason as they finally moved on from superstar point guard Damian Lillard. The Blazers are now entering a retooling/rebuilding phase around 2023 No. 3 pick Scoot Henderson.
Henderson, along with shooting guard Anfernee Simons, should give Portland a dynamic young backcourt. Newly acquired starting center Deandre Ayton could also be in store for a big year as a nightly double-double threat.
The Blazers also have some quality veterans in Jerami Grant, Malcolm Brogdon and Robert Williams that should help them stay competitive. In addition, second-year wing Shaedon Sharpe projects to be a high-upside wildcard for the team after his strong finish to last season.
However, the Blazers still lack wing depth and defense. So, they project to be an exciting competitive young team that finishes with a Bottom 5 record.
#4. San Antonio Spurs
All eyes have been on the San Antonio Spurs since they drafted Victor Wembanyama No. 1 in the 2023 NBA draft. The 7-foot-4 French phenom is instantly expected to raise the ceiling of a Spurs team that finished last in the Western Conference (22-60) last season.
However, outside of Wembanyama, the Spurs’ roster still has a lot of question marks. Guard depth appears to be an issue for the team as they are experimenting with second-year forward Jeremy Sochan at point guard. Meanwhile, the team still lacks defense.
Forward Keldon Johnson and wing Devin Vassell could prove to be reliable second and third scoring options for San Antonio this season. Point guard Tre Jones should also add some playmaking to the Spurs’ second unit and second-year shooting guard Malaki Branham could break out offensively. The team has some solid veterans as well, including Zach Collins, Doug McDermott and Cedi Osman.
However, the Spurs still appear to be missing a few pieces, so they will likely only go as far as Wembanyama takes them. If the 19-year-old misses any time this season, then San Antonio could be in trouble.
#3. Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets enter this season as one of the least inspiring teams in the league. Charlotte could experience improvement if star point guard LaMelo Ball can stay healthy after he was limited to just 36 games last season. However, outside of Ball, there is not much to look forward to for Hornets fans.
Ball’s co-star, Miles Bridges, is once again dealing with off-court issues. Meanwhile, 2023 No. 2 pick Brandon Miller was underwhelming in preseason. Miller’s development will likely be key to the Hornets’ success as they could sorely use a reliable two-way wing.
Charlotte still has some other notable veterans, including Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward and P.J. Washington. Second-year big man Mark Williams could also take a leap as a rebounder and rim protector.
However, the Hornets still project to finish near the bottom of the Eastern Conference after their 14th-place finish (27-55) last season.
#2. Detroit Pistons
Like the Hornets, the Detroit Pistons’ success will hinge on the health of their young star guard, Cade Cunningham. Cunningham was limited to just 12 games last season as the Pistons finished with the worst record in the league (17-65). However, Detroit could also experience internal development from some of its other young players.
Sophomores Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren could both take leaps forward. Ivey showed flashes as a dynamic slashing guard in his rookie season while Duren showcased the potential to be a rim protector and nightly double-double threat.
2023 No. 5 pick Ausar Thompson should also add some versatility on the wing. Plus, the Pistons have a few solid veterans, including Bojan Bogdanovic, Joe Harris, Monte Morris and Alec Burks.
But overall, the Pistons are still a very young team that needs time to develop under new coach Monty Williams. So, it’s hard to see them making a massive improvement this season.
#1. Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards went all in on retooling/rebuilding after trading stars Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis during the offseason. The Wizards have now handed the reins of their offense to newly acquired shooting guard Jordan Poole. While Poole has the potential to be an elite scorer, he often struggles with inconsistency, so it should be an up-and-down season for Washington.
Outside of Poole, forward Kyle Kuzma could be a reliable secondary scorer and rebounder. Meanwhile, point guard Tyus Jones is a solid playmaker and center Daniel Gafford can protect the rim.
However, Washington lacks a true centerpiece to build around, unless Poole proves to be an All-Star caliber player. 2023 No. 7 pick Bilal Coulibaly projects to be the highest upside player on the team’s roster, as he could develop into a promising two-way wing. However, he is still just 19 years old and considered more of a project.
Perhaps some of the Wizards’ other young guys like forwards Deni Avdija and Corey Kispert will improve as well. However, they have only proven to be role players thus far. So, the Wizards’ lack of depth, defense and star power could cause them to finish with the worst record in the league.
Also Read: 2023-24 NBA Opening Night roster for all 30 teams revealed: Teams, players & more
