The journey to the NBA Finals is a coveted path that every team aspires to tread, and for the 30 teams competing in the league today, that road begins again in October. The 2024/25 season will begin on October 22nd as the reigning record-champion Boston Celtics welcome the New York Knicks to the TD Garden for a clash between last season’s top two teams in the Eastern Conference.
Then, hours later, the Los Angeles Lakers will host the Minnesota Timberwolves, with LeBron and son Bronny James looking to hit the ground running as the first father-son duo in history.
However, of the 30 teams competing this term, did you know that 10 have never lifted the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy? And of those ten, five have never even made it to the finals. Let’s find out who they are and the closest they have come to scaling the summit of the basketball mountain.
Los Angeles Clippers
Founded in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves, the Los Angeles Clippers have had a tumultuous history marked by frequent relocations and rebranding. After moving to San Diego and eventually to Tinsel Town, their cross-town rivals, the Lakers, often overshadow the unheralded outfit. While the likes of Kobe Bryant and the aforementioned LeBron have led them to a whopping 17 championships – the second most in history – the Clippers have never even reached the finals.
Despite having notable players like Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and Kawhi Leonard, the City of Angels’ second team has struggled with consistency and injuries over the years, continually hindering their progress. The team’s fortunes seemed to change recently; however, the acquisition of Leonard – a championship winner with the Toronto Raptors – and all-time great James Harden- led to high expectations. However, the bookmakers are seemingly unmoved, with the latest odds making them a +6500 outsider for the title next season, behind their cross-city rival Lakers (+2200).
The closest they came to reaching the finals was within the last five years. They reached the conference semifinals in 2020 and the conference finals in 2021, but unfortunately couldn’t quite reach the promised land.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves joined the NBA as an expansion team in 1989. Still, despite having one of the greatest power forwards in the game, Kevin Garnett, the team has often been mired in mediocrity. Their peak came in the early 2000s, highlighted by a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2004. However, since then, they have struggled to retain top-tier talent and build a cohesive team.
In recent years, young stars like Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards have emerged, providing a glimmer of hope. The addition of defensive behemoth Rudy Gobert has seemingly taken the Wolves to another level, culminating in their impressive displays last term. The Minneapolis-based outfit finished third in the Western Conference last season before making it to the Conference Finals. Unfortunately for them, Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks had too much to handle, winning in five and making it to the Finals at Minnesota’s expense.
Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets, initially established in 1988, have undergone several transformations, including a temporary relocation and rebranding as the New Orleans Hornets. The current iteration of the franchise was reestablished in North Carolina in 2014, but it hasn’t rejuvenated the ailing franchise’s fortunes. Throughout their history, the Hornets have had talented players like Alonzo Mourning, Larry Johnson, and Kemba Walker, but despite these individual talents, the team has often struggled in the playoffs.
Under the ownership of NBA legend Michael Jordan, the organization has been working to build a competitive team, and the recent addition of promising players like LaMelo Ball has sparked optimism about its future potential. But the team is still on the longest postseason drought of anybody in the entire league, and the 2024/25 campaign will mark their ninth without a trip to the playoffs, the longest in franchise history.
Memphis Grizzlies
Originally based in Vancouver, the Grizzlies moved to Memphis in 2001. The franchise has seen sporadic success, notably during the “Grit and Grind” era led by players like Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol, and Mike Conley. This period saw them become a formidable playoff team, reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2013, where the heavyweight San Antonio Spurs ultimately swept them.
Dynamic guard Ja Morant leads the current squad; however, he has come under increasing criticism over the last year. The former Murray State Racer was suspended for 25 games last June after being seen with a firearm on Instagram at a Colorado nightclub. He returned in December and then struggled with injuries, and he needs a big campaign next season to ensure that he isn’t considered a flop.
New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans have had several star players since their founding in 2002, including Anthony Davis and Chris Paul. That superstar duo led the Louisiana franchise to numerous playoff appearances but not beyond the conference semifinals. Now, with a roster centered on Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, the Pelicans sneaked into the playoffs last season for just the second time in six years, and they will be aiming to build upon that next term.
Content Disclaimer: Our articles and podcasts, including those on sports betting, are for entertainment and informational purposes only and are not intended to promote or endorse betting. If you choose to bet, we urge you to do so responsibly. Help is available for those facing challenges with gambling. Contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 or visit ncpgambling.org. North Carolina residents can also find resources at More Than a Game. If you need immediate assistance, call 1-800-GAMBLER. For more details, see our full disclaimer.
Content Disclosure: Some content on this website may include links to third-party products, services, or websites. While we may or may not receive compensation for the time and effort spent curating and creating this content, we do not receive payment specifically for the sale of products. We only share content and resources that we believe offer value to our readers and align with our editorial standards. All opinions expressed are our own, and any content or links are subject to review for quality and relevance. For more details, see our full disclaimer.