Several NBA franchises are stuck in the middle — not good enough to contend, and lacking the prospects to truly invest in their future. For these five teams, it’s time to face reality and commit to a full rebuild.
1. Atlanta Hawks
Since their Eastern Conference Finals run in 2021, the Atlanta Hawks haven’t shown real progress and have been under .500 the past two seasons. With Trae Young’s contract situation looming, it’s looking like the Hawks need to blow it up and find a cornerstone player who can turn the franchise around.
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2. Chicago Bulls
Stuck in mediocrity for years, the Chicago Bulls have finished around the .500 mark the past four seasons. They haven’t secured a top-10 draft pick since 2019, when they selected Coby White. The Bulls need to completely rebuild and hopefully land a lottery selection that can develop into a franchise cornerstone.
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3. Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors have valuable pieces in Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Brandon Ingram, but lack a legitimate prospect who’s demonstrated star potential. With a mix of developing players and veterans like Jakob Poeltl and Chris Boucher, the Raptors are stuck in an awkward middle ground and must decide if they’re truly committed to rebuilding.
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4. Washington Wizards
While they are a young team with promising talent, the Washington Wizards also hold valuable veteran pieces such as CJ McCollum, Khris Middleton, Marcus Smart, and Malcolm Brogdon. With all four players in their 30s and the Wizards lacking any legitimate shot at a playoff push, they should continue shopping for younger assets and prioritize their future.
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5. Miami Heat
The Miami Heat have a talented roster with All-Star caliber players such as Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and Andrew Wiggins, but lack the superstar talent needed for a deep playoff run. With Jimmy Butler and his playoff heroics gone, the Heat must either shop for another star or commit to rebuilding their lineup.
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