What NBA Teams Have Not Won a Championship?
It’s hard to believe but there are still a handful of NBA teams who have never won a championship. See which teams have never taken home the title.
Introduction
There are only a handful of NBA teams that have never won a championship. Out of the 30 teams in the league, only 8 have never taken home the Larry O’Brien trophy. These teams are the Minnesota Timberwolves, Charlotte Bobcats, Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans, Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz, and Sacramento Kings. So which of these teams is most likely to win a championship first?
The teams
NBA Teams That Have Not Won a Championship There are a number of NBA teams that have not won a championship. This list includes the Charlotte Hornets, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Philadelphia
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Bucks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member club of the league’s Eastern Conference Central Division. The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and played its home games at the Milwaukee Arena from 1968 to 1988. The team is currently owned by Marc Lasry, Wesley Edens and Jamie Dinan.
Founded in 1968, the Bucks are one of two NBA teams based in Milwaukee, along with the Milwaukee Bucks. The team’s primary colors are green and cream, and home games are played at Fiserv Forum since 1988. On April 16, 1974, then-Bucks owner Bob Wilson agreed to sell the franchise to cover debts he had accrued for failed business ventures;
The franchise ownership changed hands several times thereafter until it was finally purchased by Herb Kohl on March 1, 1985. In 15 seasons under Kohl’s ownership, finishing above .500 only four times, the Bucks qualified for just one postseason appearance (in 1986), won just one playoff series (in 2001), and never advanced past the conference semifinals. Following Kohl’s sale of the franchise to hedge fund managers Wes Edens and Marc Lasry in 2014 that signaled a move away from many of his policies, Kohl said “my biggest disappointment is that we haven’t been able to win more for our fans.”
The Bucks have appeared in the NBA Finals twice (1971 and 1974), losing both times. They have won 14 divisional titles (1970–71–74–76–80–81–82–83–84–85–86–87–88–89) and have made eight appearances in the Eastern Conference finals (1971–74–76–81–82—83—85—86).
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are an American professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Eastern Conference Central Division. The Pacers were first established in 1967 as members of the American Basketball Association (ABA) and became one of four ABA teams to join the NBA in 1976 as part of the ABA–NBA merger. They have won three championships, all in the ABA. The Pacers were Eisner Award nominees in 2012 and 2014.
New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans are a professional basketball team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Pelicans compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Western Conference Southwest Division. The team plays its home games at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans were established as the New Orleans Hornets in the 2002–03 season when then-owner of the Charlotte Hornets, George Shinn, relocated the franchise to New Orleans. Due to the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the franchise temporarily relocated to Oklahoma City, where they spent two seasons officially known as the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets. The team returned to New Orleans full-time for the 2007–08 season. On January 24, 2013, the franchise announced it would rename itself the Pelicans, effective after conclusion of the 2012–13 season. Their achievements include one division title (in 2018–19).
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz are an American professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Jazz compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Western Conference, Northwest Division. Since 1991, the team has played its home games at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The franchise began play as an expansion team in 1974 as the New Orleans Jazz. The Jazz relocated to Salt Lake City in 1979.
The team has yet to make it to the NBA Finals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these are the NBA teams that have yet to win a championship. It is important to remember that dynasty teams like the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics have not always been as dominant as they are now, and that any team in the NBA has a chance to win it all if they put together the right mix of players and coaching.
