The worst teams in the NBA — Charlotte Hornets, Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons, Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs — are a combined 30-130.
They have little to no chance of making the playoffs. They’re jockeying for position to see which team gets the most chances at winning the NBA Draft lottery.
But what if you took a player from each team, maybe their best player or player with the most potential, and created a starting five? Does the good player/bad team scenario work? Could a team like that be competitive?
What does our bad team/good player lineup look like?
| Player | Age | Team | Pos | Gms | Pts | Ast | Reb | FG% | 3pFG% |
| Terry Rozier | 29 | Charlotte | SG | 20 | 23.6 | 7.2 | 3.9 | .463 | .370 |
| Kyle Kuzma | 28 | Washington | PF | 32 | 23.1 | 4.3 | 6.2 | .466 | .357 |
| Cade Cunningham | 22 | Detroit | PG | 33 | 23.0 | 7.3 | 4.0 | .443 | .337 |
| Jerami Grant | 29 | Portland | PF | 28 | 22.1 | 2.6 | 3.9 | .459 | .417 |
| Victor Wembanyama | 20 | San Antonio | PF | 28 | 18.9 | 3.0 | 10.3 | .442 | .290 |
Terry Rozier, Charlotte Hornets
Terry Rozier had 42 points and eight assists on Dec. 29. He shot 64% from the field and 67% from 3-point range against Philadelphia. Against Miami on Dec. 11, he had 34 points and 13 assists. Rozier has been solid all season, with three double-digit assist games.
“Scary Terry” has scored 25 or more points seven times this season and dished out seven or more assists 12 times.
- Season high points: 42
- Season high assists: 13
- Season high steals: 4
Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards
Kyle Kuzma is probably the top trade target of the Wizards. He has scored more than 25 points in 12 games this season and just had a season-high 38 against the Atlanta Hawks.
His best game might have been 28 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists, and a plus/minus of +13 against Charlotte on Nov. 22.
- Season high points: 38
- Season high rebounds: 13
- Season high assists: 13
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Rookie Victor Wembanyama was arguably the most hyped NBA prospect since LeBron James. He has had some big moments, like his 38 points and 10 rebounds against Philadelphia on Nov. 2 and his eight blocks against Memphis on Nov. 18 and his seven blocks against Portland on Dec. 28.
- Season high points: 38
- Season high rebounds: 20
- Season high blocks: 8
Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
It has been sad watching Cade Cunningham talk after some of the Detroit Pistons’ losses this season. He’ll. have a good game, and the team can’t close the deal.
It might not have been his best game, but probably his most efficient game was a 30-point, 12-assist performance against Toronto in the game that broke the 28-game losing streak.
- Season high points: 43
- Season high assists: 12
- Season high plus/minus: +13
Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers
Jerami Grant has stood out on a Trail Blazers team that is rebuilding. The Blazers haven’t won a ton of games, but Grant has played well in those wins.
He had 30 points and a +25 plus/minus in a win against Utah and 34 in a win against Indiana.
- Season high points: 38
- Season high rebounds: 10
- Season high plus/minus: +25