4 NBA Teams That Have Had a Rough 2026 Offseason

NBA training camps open next month, and preseason games tip off during the first week of October.

That still offers time for teams to improve rosters. Still, with trade and free agency carousels slowing down, front offices will have to get creative.

A handful of teams might as well let it rest for the time being. Here are four whose outlooks have sunk during the 2026-27 offseason to date.

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

Many teams were miffed when NBA career scoring leader LeBron James chose to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers over numerous other prospective suitors. In the weeks since, however, it’s grown apparent that the Warriors didn’t exactly have a confidence-inspiring backup plan if uniting Steph Curry, Draymond Green and James didn’t work.

Jimmy Butler will rejoin the mix at some point as he recovers from a season-ending knee injury in February. While recent reports suggest his timetable is ahead of schedule, he’ll need time to return to game speed.

At least it’s not all bad for the Dubs. Rookie forward Yaxel Lendeborg reinforced pundits’ confidence in his NBA readiness and maturity by earning MVP of the Summer League.

But given how little the front office has done beyond acquiring Lendeborg as the 11th overall pick in the June draft, he'll need to be an incredibly quick study to help Golden State climb from the morass of a fourth straight Western Conference play-in tournament.

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

Any team with Anthony Edwards can’t be altogether crummy, but any front office is capable of throwing a fan base into a tizzy.

Even the most optimistic among Wolves Nation should feel that way about offseason trades that sent major frontcourt contributors Julis Randle and Naz Reid to Brooklyn and Charlotte, respectively.

Edwards propelled Minnesota to Western Conference finals appearances in 2024 and 2025, to be sure, yet the team’s balance and inside presence played more than a supporting role.

Abandoning that consistency to land oft-injured LaMelo Ball as Edwards’ sidekick easily could register as more silly than shrewd, especially with his lack of playoff experience.

ORLANDO MAGIC

While most of last season’s Eastern Conference playoff field bolstered its chances, the Magic stood pat with the status quo.

That may not be the worst strategy considering the injuries that beset the core of Paolo Banchero, Desmond Bane, Wendell Carter Jr., Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner last season. And tapping former San Antonio Spurs assistant Sean Sweeney to take over as coach could jolt a group that might simply have needed a new voice.

Banking on potential only gets you so far, though, even if it delivers. Orlando could have used another move to improve its chances of rising above the middle of the East pack. A Nikola Vucevic homecoming hardly fits the bill.

SACRAMENTO KINGS

The Kings are going down. Unmistakably.

They waived veteran guard DeMar DeRozan, their leader in total points and minutes during a dismal 22-win season, and seemingly remain stuck on Zach LaVine even after he opted to exercise his player option for next season.

Lottery pick Darius Acuff Jr. offers intrigue despite a shaky Summer League. How much will he stand out and can Domantas Sabonis and LaVine stay healthy?