The Suns, who finished with a 21-61 mark, had the NBA’s worst record in 2017/18, finishing just behind the Grizzlies (22-60), Mavericks (24-58), and Hawks (24-58) in the final standings. Having added Deandre Ayton and Mikal Bridges in the draft, along with Trevor Ariza in free agency, Phoenix has higher hopes for the 2018/19 season, but the club is still projected to be one of the NBA’s worst.
Multiple oddsmakers, including the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook and betting site Bodog.eu, have the Suns’ over/under for wins next season set at 28.5, making them one of the few NBA teams expected to win fewer than 30 games. While that projection may seem pessimistic for a team seemingly on the rise, the competition in the Western Conference will be fierce — in addition to playing the eight playoff teams from last year, the Suns will also have to deal with the Nuggets, Lakers, Mavs, Grizzlies, and Clippers, all of whom have postseason aspirations for 2018/19.
One Western team that probably doesn’t have realistic playoff expectations for next season is the Kings, whose over/under on sports books is generally in the range of 25.5 wins. Sacramento finished ahead of Phoenix in the standings last season, but Marvin Bagley isn’t necessarily expected to make an immediate impact like Ayton is, and the Kings’ free agent additions, including Nemanja Bjelica and Yogi Ferrell, don’t have Ariza’s résumé.
Over in the Eastern Conference, it may not be quite as challenging to pick up wins on a night-to-night basis, but there are still a handful of teams viewed as bottom-feeders, including the Hawks. Atlanta traded away its most productive player from 2017/18 – Dennis Schroder – and rookie Trae Young is unlikely to match Schroder’s production. Other newcomers like Jeremy Lin and Alex Len also aren’t the sort of difference-makers who will increase Atlanta’s win total substantially — oddsmakers have the Hawks’ over/under at just 23.5 wins.
No other team in the East is viewed that unfavorably, but oddsmakers aren’t expecting much from the Bulls (over/under of approximately 28 wins) or the Knicks (29.5 wins), who will be without Kristaps Porzingis for the first part of the season. The Cavaliers, Magic, and Nets are also projected to miss the playoffs, albeit with win totals in the low-30s.
What do you think? Which team will finish the 2018/19 season with the NBA’s worst record? Vote below in our poll and then jump into the comment section to explain your pick.
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Hawks
Hawks. They are trying to dump Kent Bazemore and rebuild. Hoping Sacramento is 2nd worst. Boston would get their pick, and a nice one. Maybe Philly would give up Embiid for the pick. Boston fleeced them once already.
Fultz>tatum
Tatum and possibly the 2nd round pick in next years draft is better than a guy who didn’t shoot a 3 point shot when he returned last year. Simmons won’t shoot one either. That’s a problem for the offense. If Fultz doesn’t recover this season, the Sixers may have to dump him.
Make that the 2nd pick in next years draft. Boston could end up with a 3rd pick and a 2nd pick to Philly for Fultz. That’s robbery.
That last part is silly
Ok Mio, good luck with that deal.
Hawks, Kings, Knicks
I’d replace the Knicks with the Magic but otherwise I agree
Orlando, but
Everyone gets to 30 wins!
Totally agree with x%sure is gotta be Orlando, & those predictions are way to high most teams in this list won’t even be near 30 wins, which would make it a decent season for them.
Atlanta, Brooklyn, Phoenix & Sacramento will have a nice improvement this year.
The worst will be Orlando, NY, Cleveland & Chicago.
Atlanta won’t improve. It’s out of them and magic
There won’t be a race to the bottom from now on, and even weak teams this year have things going for them, so that’s why I say 30+ for all.