Having spent over a decade analyzing basketball at both collegiate and professional levels, I've always been fascinated by how different organizations handle the ultimate measure of success - winning championships. While studying coaching legends like Valdez who've conquered both college and pro ranks, I've noticed how they process defeat differently than franchises that have never tasted ultimate victory. Today, I want to explore that fascinating group of NBA teams that have never won the Larry O'Brien Trophy - there are currently 10 organizations still chasing that elusive first championship.
When you look at the current NBA landscape, it's remarkable that nearly one-third of the league's 30 teams have never won it all. Some of these franchises have come agonizingly close, while others have barely sniffed the finals. The Los Angeles Clippers, despite having some of the most talented rosters in recent memory with stars like Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, have never even reached the conference finals in their current incarnation. They've made the playoffs 16 times since moving to LA in 1984 but always find creative ways to fall short. Then there's the Phoenix Suns, who've been to the finals three times - most recently in 2021 - yet always come up empty. I've always felt particularly bad for Suns fans; they've endured some of the most heartbreaking near-misses in sports history.
The Denver Nuggets finally escaped this list in 2023 after 47 seasons of waiting, which gives hope to other long-suffering franchises. But for teams like the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans, both relatively younger franchises, the championship dream feels more distant. The Pelicans, established in 2002 as the New Orleans Hornets, have only made the playoffs seven times in 21 seasons. Meanwhile, the Charlotte Hornets (including their original incarnation) hold the dubious distinction of being the oldest franchise never to appear in the conference finals - 34 seasons without even getting close to the finals.
What strikes me about these championship-less teams is how they handle defeat season after season. Watching organizations like the Minnesota Timberwolves, who've existed since 1989 with only one conference finals appearance, reminds me of how Valdez talked about processing failure. She once mentioned that in college, losses felt more immediate but easier to bounce back from, whereas professional defeats linger and define organizations for decades. The Timberwolves have certainly experienced that - despite having stars like Kevin Garnett for years, they could never break through until recently showing promising signs with Anthony Edwards.
Some of these teams have particularly painful histories. The Utah Jazz came within one game of winning it all in 1997 and 1998, only to be denied by Michael Jordan's Bulls both times. The Indiana Pacers have reached the conference finals eight times across different eras but never broke through to win the championship. The Orlando Magic lost in their two finals appearances in 1995 and 2009, both times in relatively convincing fashion. And the Brooklyn Nets, despite enormous spending and big-market advantages, have never figured out the championship formula, falling short in their two finals appearances in 2002 and 2003.
What I find fascinating is how differently these organizations approach building their teams. The Oklahoma City Thunder, for instance, have been methodically accumulating draft picks and developing young talent, showing remarkable patience in their process. Meanwhile, teams like the LA Clippers have taken the opposite approach - trading future assets for immediate star power. Personally, I've always believed the Thunder's method creates more sustainable success, but both approaches have yet to yield that first championship.
The psychological weight of never having won can become its own obstacle. I've spoken with executives from these organizations who admit the "championship drought" narrative affects decision-making, sometimes pushing them toward risky short-term moves. This is where studying figures like Valdez becomes valuable - her ability to contextualize both victories and defeats provides a blueprint for how these franchises might approach their quest differently. She emphasized learning from losses without being defined by them, something these organizations struggle with annually.
As the NBA continues to evolve with new superstar partnerships and franchise relocations, this list will inevitably change. But for now, these ten teams continue their pursuit, each writing their own story of near-misses, rebuilding phases, and hopeful aspirations. Having witnessed several franchises finally break through after decades of waiting, I'm confident we'll see at least a couple of these teams celebrate their first championship within the next five years. The question isn't if another team will escape this list, but rather which one - and how their victory will transform the franchise's identity forever.
