Winning an NBA title is the dream for every franchise, but for some teams, it’s starting to feel like that dream is out of reach. Whether it's bad luck, poor management, or just the tough competition, there are teams that haven't lifted the Larry O'Brien Trophy in decades. In this article, we'll break down the 10 longest title droughts in the NBA right now and see if any of these squads have a real shot at breaking the curse. With the 2024-25 season just around the corner, could this finally be the year for one of them? Let's dive in and find out.
1. Sacramento Kings – 73 Years
Best Results: 1951 NBA Champions, 2002 Western Conference Finals, 2003 Western Conference Semifinals, 2023 Western Conference First Round
The Sacramento Kings hold the unfortunate distinction of having the longest championship drought in NBA history. Their last and only title came in 1951 when they were known as the Rochester Royals, and it’s now been 73 long years without a second one. Since then, the team has undergone multiple relocations, eventually settling in Sacramento in 1985. Despite their historic past, success has been hard to come by, with only a few seasons where they were legitimate contenders. The peak of the Kings’ glory days came in the early 2000s when they were one of the best teams in the NBA, led by players like Chris Webber, Peja Stojakovic, and Vlade Divac.
Their most notable season during this period was in 2002, when the Kings made it to the Western Conference Finals. That year, they pushed the Los Angeles Lakers to seven games in one of the most controversial series in NBA history. The Kings were just one win away from reaching the NBA Finals, but a few missed opportunities and questionable officiating decisions ultimately kept them from breaking through. They returned to the playoffs the following year, advancing to the Western Conference Semifinals, but were unable to replicate the same level of success.
After those early 2000s years, the Kings began to fall off the NBA map, eventually going through a 16-year playoff drought from 2007 to 2022. That long stretch without postseason appearances was a rough period for the franchise, filled with rebuilding, roster changes, and failed draft picks. It wasn’t until 2023 that the Kings finally made it back to the playoffs, thanks to a strong season from their new core of De’Aaron Fox , Domantas Sabonis, and a revamped supporting cast. Yet, they couldn’t make much noise in the postseason, falling in the first round to the Golden State Warriors.
The 2024 season was another disappointment for the Kings, as they fell short of the playoffs once again, finishing ninth in the Western Conference standings. The progress they showed in 2023 took a step back, and it left many fans questioning whether this team, as currently constructed, can break the 73-year championship drought. While they have the talent in Fox and Sabonis, along with newly acquired Demar DeRozan, they’ll need to find consistency and avoid the injury bug if they hope to return to playoff contention.
The Kings have been on the cusp of success in the past, but the question remains: can they finally break through and bring a title to Sacramento? With a strong fan base and a team that shows flashes of greatness, the potential is there. Yet, in a competitive Western Conference, it won’t be easy. The clock keeps ticking, and the Kings remain one of the most title-starved franchises in the NBA.
2. Atlanta Hawks – 66 Years
Best Results: 1958 NBA Champions, 1961 NBA Finals, 2015 Eastern Conference Finals, 2021 Eastern Conference Finals
The Atlanta Hawks have been chasing another title for 66 years, with their lone championship coming back in 1958 when they were the St. Louis Hawks. Led by Hall of Famers like Bob Pettit, the Hawks defeated the Celtics to secure their only NBA crown. They reached the Finals again in 1961 but fell to the Celtics, and after relocating to Atlanta in 1968, the franchise hasn’t returned to the Finals since.
The 2015 season was a standout year for the Hawks, who dominated the regular season and made it to the Eastern Conference Finals, only to be swept by LeBron James' Cavaliers. In 2021, the Hawks, led by Trae Young, made another deep run in the playoffs, advancing to the Conference Finals, but were stopped by the Milwaukee Bucks, who went on to win the title.
This 2024, the Hawks made significant roster changes. Dejounte Murray, who had joined the team in 2022, was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance Jr., and E.J. Liddell, along with two first-round picks. This trade marked a shift in the Hawks' direction, giving them financial flexibility and setting them up for a future rebuild.
Additionally, the Hawks made a splash in the 2024 NBA Draft, selecting French forward Zaccharie Risacher with the No. 1 overall pick. Risacher brings a lot of potential, but despite this move, the team is still in the process of retooling and doesn’t appear to be in contention for a title in the near future. The franchise seems to be positioning itself for a long-term rebuild around its young core.
While Trae Young remains the face of the franchise, the Hawks are not expected to compete for championships in the immediate future. With their focus now on player development and future draft picks, it might be a few more years before they can realistically aim to end their 66-year title drought.
3. Phoenix Suns – 56 Years
Best Results: 1976 NBA Finals, 1993 NBA Finals, 2021 NBA Finals
The Phoenix Suns have been in the NBA for 56 years, and despite reaching the NBA Finals three times, they have never won a championship. Their first Finals appearance came in 1976 when the Suns pushed the Boston Celtics to six games before falling short. In 1993, they made another deep run behind Charles Barkley but were defeated by Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, again in six games.
The closest the Suns came to breaking their title drought was in 2021. Led by Devin Booker and Chris Paul, they reached the Finals and even held a 2-0 series lead against the Milwaukee Bucks. Yet, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks stormed back to win four straight games, leaving the Suns once again just shy of a championship.
In 2024, the Suns were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs, continuing their frustrating wait for a title. Despite having Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, after adding Bradley Beal in a high-profile trade in 2023, the Suns haven't found the right formula to push them over the top. While they have the talent, injuries and inconsistency have plagued the team, and they seem to be far from breaking their long-standing curse.
The franchise remains competitive, but until the Suns can find a way to sustain a deep playoff run without faltering in the final stages, their 56-year drought will continue to loom over the team.
4. Los Angeles Clippers – 54 Years
Best Results: 2021 Western Conference Finals, 2006 Western Conference Semifinals, 2020 Western Conference Semifinals
The Los Angeles Clippers have never won an NBA title, and their 54-year drought is one of the longest in the league. Since their inception in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves, the franchise has seen numerous ups and downs, moving through cities like San Diego before settling in Los Angeles. Despite having some strong rosters over the years, the Clippers have struggled to even reach the NBA Finals.
The team's best chance came in 2021 when they finally broke through to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history, led by Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Yet, they fell short of reaching the Finals, losing to the Phoenix Suns. Other notable seasons include the 2006 and 2020 campaigns, when the Clippers reached the Western Conference Semifinals, only to be eliminated before reaching the final stage.
In the 2024 season, the Clippers' hopes were once again dashed, as they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. Despite high expectations following the signings of Leonard and George, injuries and inconsistent performances have plagued the team. Furthermore, Paul George left the Clippers in the 2024 offseason, signing with the Philadelphia 76ers, raising doubts about the team's immediate future.
As the Clippers prepare to move into their new home at the Intuit Dome for the 2024-25 season, the pressure to finally deliver a championship remains high. Yet, given the current state of the roster and recent departures, it seems that breaking their 54-year title drought might still be a distant goal for the franchise.
5. New York Knicks – 51 Years
Best Results: 1970 NBA Champions, 1973 NBA Champions, 1994 NBA Finals, 1999 NBA Finals
The New York Knicks have gone 51 years without an NBA championship, their last title coming in 1973. Led by legends like Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, and Bill Bradley, the Knicks captured their second NBA title after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers. Since then, they’ve had a couple of close calls, most notably in 1994 when they reached the NBA Finals only to fall in seven games to the Houston Rockets. In 1999, they made another Finals appearance but lost to the San Antonio Spurs.
While the Knicks have remained one of the most storied franchises in the NBA, their championship drought has continued despite multiple playoff appearances. The team had a promising season in 2023-24, reaching the second round of the playoffs but ultimately falling short of the Eastern Conference Finals. With stars like Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle leading the way, there is optimism about the future, but the franchise hasn’t shown signs of being a true title contender.
As the Knicks prepare for the 2024-25 season with the addition of Mikal Bridges, expectations are high, and many fans are hopeful that the team’s recent improvements can push them further into the postseason. With such a competitive Eastern Conference, the Knicks could be close to ending their 51-year title drought, but only time will tell.
Related: Top 5 NBA Teams Which Will Surprise Everyone In The 2024-25 Season
6. Utah Jazz – 50 Years
Best Results: 1997 NBA Finals, 1998 NBA Finals, 2007 Western Conference Finals
The Utah Jazz have been in the NBA for 50 years, but they are still chasing their first championship. The franchise's best years came in the late 1990s when they made back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in 1997 and 1998, led by Hall of Famers Karl Malone and John Stockton. Both times, they faced off against Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls and came close to winning it all but ultimately fell short in six games each time.
Since those Finals runs, the Jazz have remained a competitive team, making consistent playoff appearances, including a run to the Western Conference Finals in 2007. Yet, deep playoff runs have been rare, and the Jazz have still to break through as title contenders. They most recently made the playoffs in 2022 but have missed out in both 2023 and 2024.
The 2024 season was a rough one for the Jazz, as they finished with a 31-51 record, far from playoff contention. Despite having a talented roster with players like Lauri Markkanen and Jordan Clarkson, the team has struggled to find the right combination to compete in the loaded Western Conference.
As they look ahead, the Jazz are in a rebuilding phase, hoping to develop their young core behind Lauri Markkanen’s extension and return to postseason relevance. Yet, it seems unlikely that they will break their 50-year championship drought anytime soon.
T7. Brooklyn Nets – 48 Years
Best Results: 2002 NBA Finals, 2003 NBA Finals, 2021 Eastern Conference Semifinals
The Brooklyn Nets , formerly the New Jersey Nets, are still chasing their first NBA title after 48 years in the league. The closest they came was during their back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003, but they were defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs. Despite strong runs, the ultimate prize has eluded the franchise.
More recently, the Nets had a brief resurgence in 2021 with a star-studded roster of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden. Expectations were sky-high, but they were eliminated in the Eastern Conference Semifinals by the Milwaukee Bucks in a heart-breaking seven-game series.
After parting ways with their big stars, the Nets are now focusing on a younger core, trying to build for the future. While they have the pieces to grow, the franchise is in a period of transition, and it's unclear how quickly they can become true contenders again. Their fans will be hoping that this rebuild can lead to something special, but the wait for a championship continues.
T7. Indiana Pacers – 48 Years
Best Results: 2000 NBA Finals, 2004 Eastern Conference Finals, 2024 Eastern Conference Finals
The Indiana Pacers have been waiting 48 years for their first NBA championship. The franchise’s best shot came in 2000 when they reached the NBA Finals, led by Reggie Miller and coached by Larry Bird. Despite a strong season, they were outmatched by the dominant Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant duo, falling to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games. Since then, the Pacers have made several deep playoff runs but haven’t returned to the Finals.
In the 2024 season, the Pacers experienced a surprising resurgence, making it to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in a decade. Tyrese Haliburton emerged as a key star for the franchise, but the Pacers' journey ended with a tough loss to the Boston Celtics. While the team has shown potential, it's clear they are still in the process of building a roster capable of breaking their nearly five-decade-long championship drought.
The Pacers are now looking toward the future, hoping their young core can continue to improve and lead them back to championship contention. Yet, fans may have to remain patient as the team works to solidify itself among the league's top contenders once again.
9. Portland Trail Blazers – 47 Years
Best Results: 1977 NBA Champions, 1990 NBA Finals, 1992 NBA Finals
The Portland Trail Blazers captured their lone NBA championship in 1977, led by Bill Walton in what remains a historic run for the franchise. After that, they reached the NBA Finals twice more, in 1990 and 1992, but came up short both times, losing to the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls, respectively. Since those Finals appearances, the Trail Blazers have had several strong teams but haven’t returned to the big stage.
The Blazers have been in rebuilding mode recently, especially after trading away their franchise star Damian Lillard in 2023. The team is now focused on developing its young core, which includes players like Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, in hopes of eventually building back into a contender.
While the Blazers have had consistent playoff appearances throughout their history, their current trajectory suggests it might take a few more years before they are seriously contending again. The 2024 season saw them miss the playoffs, and everything indicates 2025 will be the same case, extending their 47-year title drought.
10. Washington Wizards – 46 Years
Best Results: 1978 NBA Champions, 1979 NBA Finals, 1975 NBA Finals
The Washington Wizards , formerly known as the Washington Bullets, have gone 46 years without winning an NBA championship. Their lone title came in 1978 when they defeated the Seattle SuperSonics in seven games, led by Hall of Famers Wes Unseld and Elvin Hayes. The following year, they made it back to the Finals but were defeated in a rematch by the SuperSonics, marking the end of their last true championship contention window.
Since then, the Wizards have struggled to find consistent success. They reached the playoffs sporadically in the 2010s, with their last playoff series win coming in 2017. Yet, they have been unable to make a serious push for another title, often stuck in the middle of the Eastern Conference standings.
In 2024, the Wizards missed the playoffs again, as they continue to rebuild their roster around young talent like Bilal Coulibaly, acquired in the 2023 NBA Draft. With no clear path back to title contention in the near future, it appears their 46-year drought will continue for a while longer as the team works through another rebuilding phase.
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