play2:37Rich Eisen breaks down Anthony Davis’ trade to the WizardsRich Eisen reacts to the breaking news that Anthony Davis has been traded to the Washington Wizards.
play1:40Windhorst: Jazz tanking more ‘egregious,’ but still within the rulesBrian Windhorst chimes in on accusations that the Utah Jazz have been “tanking” late in games and says they’re not the only franchise doing it.
play2:22Stephen A.: Luka-Giannis on Lakers highly unlikely, but can never say neverWhile Stephen A. Smith doesn’t believe Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic teaming up with the Lakers will happen, he explains why it can’t be completely ruled out.
Stephen A. says the NBA has bigger problems than tanking (1:26)Stephen A. Smith argues that load management is a bigger problem than tanking for the NBA. (1:26)
Rich Eisen breaks down Anthony Davis’ trade to the WizardsRich Eisen reacts to the breaking news that Anthony Davis has been traded to the Washington Wizards.
Rich Eisen reacts to the breaking news that Anthony Davis has been traded to the Washington Wizards.
Windhorst: Jazz tanking more ‘egregious,’ but still within the rulesBrian Windhorst chimes in on accusations that the Utah Jazz have been “tanking” late in games and says they’re not the only franchise doing it.
Brian Windhorst chimes in on accusations that the Utah Jazz have been “tanking” late in games and says they’re not the only franchise doing it.
Stephen A.: Luka-Giannis on Lakers highly unlikely, but can never say neverWhile Stephen A. Smith doesn’t believe Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic teaming up with the Lakers will happen, he explains why it can’t be completely ruled out.
While Stephen A. Smith doesn’t believe Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic teaming up with the Lakers will happen, he explains why it can’t be completely ruled out.
NBA InsidersMultiple AuthorsFeb 24, 2026, 07:00 AM ET
As we near the end of the 2025-26 NBA regular season, the postseason picture is becoming clearer for not only playoff contenders but also teams at the bottom of the standings looking to turn the page.
After reaching the 2025 NBA Finals last season, the Indiana Pacers have fallen far from those heights as they suffer through an injury-plagued season. But they could land a top-five pick in June’s draft to build on their championship aspirations from last season. The Milwaukee Bucks will also be busy this offseason, with the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo being one of the biggest questions.
Our NBA insiders evaluate the 10 teams at the bottom of the standings, checking on what is new after the trade deadline and whether their draft and offseason strategy has changed.
It might not be their turn to raise the Larry O’Brien Trophy this June, but these 10 teams still have something to look forward to: the NBA lottery, set to take place May 10.
Jump to a likely lottery team: Kings | Wizards | Nets Pacers | Jazz | Hawks Mavericks | Bulls | Grizzlies | Bucks
With the NBA’s worst record and the fourth-oldest roster, the Kings must prioritize youth. They can accomplish that by trading Sabonis, LaVine and DeMar DeRozan.
More importantly, Sacramento has to get its finances in order. The Hunter trade added salary to its books for next season, pushing the team over the luxury tax and likely into the second apron when factoring in a high lottery pick.
There is some financial flexibility with DeRozan’s partially guaranteed deal; his $25.7 million salary next season is protected for only $10 million. — Bobby Marks
Will Trae Young or Anthony Davis play alongside their new teammates this season? Young has been out since Dec. 27 because of an MCL sprain and a thigh bruise, but the team announced last week he will “ramp up” basketball activities. Davis has been out since Jan. 8 as he rehabs from ligament damage in his left hand. There is no timetable for his return. — Tim Bontemps
Young’s presence is the main consideration because it might (and should) prevent Washington from targeting a true point guard in the draft. Young and his max contract are expected to be in the fold for the foreseeable future, which likely rules out players such as Kingston Flemings (Houston), Darius Acuff (Arkansas) and Mikel Brown (Louisville) from Washington’s plans. — Woo
Rich Eisen breaks down Anthony Davis’ trade to the Wizards
Washington started free agency five months early, trading for former All-Stars Young and Davis. With the Wizards’ cap space diminished, the emphasis this summer will be on getting both players healthy and acquainted with their new teammates.
Washington’s focus this offseason will be on the next contracts for Young, Davis and 2023 lottery pick Bilal Coulibaly. Young has a $49 million player option and could opt in and extend. He can also become a free agent and sign for less money but with guaranteed years attached. On Aug. 6, Davis will become eligible to sign a four-year extension. Coulibaly can extend his deal up to the last day of the regular season. — Marks
Brooklyn made five first-round picks last year and has gotten intriguing early returns from Demin and Traore. The Nets added rookies with positional size who share the ball, and they need a top talent to tie it together. The Nets have quite a bit riding on this lottery as a result. Adding a top pick such as Darryn Peterson (Kansas) or AJ Dybantsa (BYU) to this group would make this roster quite interesting. — Woo
Besides the continued development of six players on first-round rookie deals, the Nets have a decision to make on Michael Porter Jr.’s $40.8 million expiring contract. Porter, a free agent in 2027, is eligible to sign a four-year extension.
The Nets join the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers as the only teams projected to have cap space this offseason. Brooklyn could have up to $50 million in room and could use it two ways: put an offer sheet down on a player, such as restricted free agent Peyton Watson, or use the room and its nine tradable first-round picks (and 19 second-rounders) in a trade. — Marks
If the Pacers’ pick lands in the top four, it would be a major coup for Indy after its risky move to acquire Zubac. The four top players on our board — Darryn Peterson (Kansas), AJ Dybantsa (BYU), Cameron Boozer (Duke) and Caleb Wilson (UNC) — would all fit well in Indy and help kick-start another playoff push with Tyrese Haliburton back next season. The thought of pairing Peterson and Haliburton in a supercharged backcourt is particularly tantalizing. — Woo
Other than retaining their first-round pick, a healthy Haliburton will be the most impactful addition to the Pacers’ roster.
After adding Zubac at the deadline, Indiana has 13 players under contract and is $2.8 million below the luxury tax. If the Pacers retain their first-round pick, they will be a luxury tax team and likely be over the first apron. Indiana keeps the pick if it lands 1-4 or 10-30.
Indiana will have eight players eligible to extend their contracts this summer, including Haliburton and Pascal Siakam. — Marks
Windhorst: Jazz tanking more ‘egregious,’ but still within the rules
Similar to the Wizards, the Jazz turned cap space this summer into a star forward. Their attention will now turn to Kessler and George.
Kessler is a restricted free agent after both sides failed to get an extension done before the start of the season. But the Jazz already have invested 68% of next season’s payroll into Jackson and Markkanen.
George, whose breakout season has put him in contention for Most Improved Player honors, is eligible to sign an extension until the last day of the regular season. — Marks
The Hawks reshuffled their roster, sending out Luke Kennard and Kristaps Porzingis while bringing in Jock Landale, Buddy Hield and Jonathan Kuminga as they try to advance out of the East play-in for the first time since 2023. Atlanta will also wait to see where the Pelicans and Bucks wind up in the standings. The Hawks will get the better of those teams’ picks. — Bontemps
The Hawks must decide whether they want to operate as a team with cap space or go over the threshold. To create room, Atlanta would need to decline Kuminga’s $24.3 million team option. The move would create $30 million in cap space.
If Kuminga returns, Atlanta would still be positioned to add in free agency thanks to its $15 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception. An offseason priority will be to add size to its frontcourt. — Marks
Trading Davis improved the Mavericks’ financial outlook. Once a projected luxury tax and second-apron team, Dallas is now well below both thresholds. The focus will be on evaluating the roster and determining who fits around Flagg.
Kyrie Irving is expected to return and has two years left on his contract ($39.4 million and $42.4 million), while Klay Thompson is on an expiring contract. Expect Dallas to be proactive in talks with Max Christie, who is eligible to extend his contract for four seasons and $92.8 million. — Marks
Chicago picked a direction at the deadline and churned their roster with an eye on adding through this lottery. The Bulls have selected versatile forwards in Matas Buzelis and Noa Essengue in the past two drafts and should be seeking guard help in the lottery, despite their financial commitment to Josh Giddey as a lead ball handler. Needs aside, Chicago should be swinging for upside as they build out a younger core. — Woo
Chicago has the spending power to accelerate its rebuild, or it could take a conservative approach this summer, picking up draft assets and unwanted salary. If the Bulls do not sign any of their free agents, they could have up to $60 million in room. To reach the minimum floor, they are required to spend at least $44 million by the first day of the regular season. They could have nearly $100 million in cap space in 2027. — Marks
Under Zach Kleiman, Memphis has valued building through the draft. Nabbing a top pick this year would be a significant coup as the Grizzlies continue to pivot the roster. Morant’s future might weigh in to their draft decision to some extent, considering the number of talented point guard prospects in this year’s draft. Where the pick falls will play a role in that, but guards such as Darius Acuff and Mikel Brown Jr. could still be available to them in the back half of the top 10. — Woo