Top Three for me are:
Honourable Mentions
Washington Wizards: Not great and haven't been for years, but have a championship and have made playoffs consistently.
Los Angeles Clippers: The smaller team in their city, with historically bad management and ownership. However, in the last ten years have made the playoffs almost every year and are opening a new arena soon. Previously would have been the obvious first choice.
#3: Minnesota Timberwolves
Would've been higher 5 years ago. Have Rudy, KAT, Ant, Naz Reid etc., although they do not have much history of success after the KG years, they have a very good future. This is a historical one.
#2: Charlotte Hornets
These guys have never made the conference finals, and haven't won a playoff series since 2004, have never made the conference finals, but with Lamelo and other young stars, they have a good future.
#1: New Orleans Pelicans
Have never managed to make it past the second round of the playoffs. Somehow lost Chris Paul, Anthony Davis and will probably lose Zion soon. Stuck in a spot where they can't get good lottery picks but aren't contenders either. Smallest value with the least fans in the NBA. Somehow can't do anything even when they have two all stars on their team. The epitome of a poverty franchise, with wasted first picks, bad management and bad location.
โ
I was expecting to catch a few strays. Carry on.