Ranking the three most disappointing teams of NBA preseason

While most teams use the preseason to fine-tune their schemes and build momentum, a few franchises have delivered performances that are anything but inspiring. Let’s delve into the three most disappointing squads of the preseason.

No. 3: The Washington Wizards

It’s no secret that the Wizards are embracing a full-blown tank job this season. Still, Washington is one of only 30 NBA organizations, and one would hope to see at least a basic offensive structure or some defensive effort. Unfortunately, both have been absent throughout the preseason.

Instead of running set plays and working on team chemistry, the Wizards’ offense often devolves into isolation possessions with players like Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma taking turns launching contested jumpers early in the shot clock. Washington’s lack of cohesion is evident in its league-worst 95.7 offensive rating and lowly assist numbers (22.3 per game, good for 30th in the preseason). 

On the defensive end, the Wizards seem equally disinterested. They frequently appear disorganized when making basic rotations and it often seems like Kuzma and Poole are more interested in conserving their energy for offense. Second-year small forward Bilal Coulibaly and rookie Alex Sarr have shown flashes of potential, but tend to get lost on defense — a common sight for young players on a team with little veteran leadership.

If the Wizards play with this level of disinterest and disorganization in the regular season, they’re almost certain to finish at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. The question is: Will that lead to a coveted top draft pick or simply set the franchise back even further?

No. 2: The Milwaukee Bucks

With Giannis Antetokounmpo relentlessly pressuring defenses, Bobby Portis Jr. shooting an astonishing 81.8 percent from three and Damian Lillard and Gary Trent Jr. contributing from deep, the Bucks’ offense has looked strong throughout the preseason. However, Lillard appears a step slower, struggling to blow by defenders as he did in his Portland days. This could limit the Bucks’ regular-season half-court effectiveness, particularly when opponents key in on Antetokounmpo at the elbows and crowd Lillard on the perimeter, stifling his shots from downtown.

The Bucks’ most glaring concern, however, lies on the defensive end. Milwaukee has played four preseason games, but only three with its core rotation of Antetokounmpo, Lillard, Portis and Brook Lopez. Focusing on their first-half numbers, when the regular starters were on the floor, the Bucks have posted the league’s worst defensive rating (120.0), hemorrhaging points at an alarming rate. 

Opponents have mercilessly targeted Lillard in pick-and-roll situations, while Trent Jr. has been a liability on the perimeter. Even Lopez, the 2022-23 Defensive Player of the Year runner-up, has appeared slow and awkward, offering little rim protection within Milwaukee’s drop coverage scheme. 

Perhaps this is just a case of a veteran roster coasting through the preseason. Still, these defensive lapses are a major red flag for a team with championship aspirations. 

No. 1: The Los Angeles Clippers

After losing nine-time All-Star Paul George to the 76ers over the summer, the Clippers’ preseason has been nothing short of a disaster. Kawhi Leonard, dealing with knee inflammation, has yet to participate in a single preseason game. According to Clippers assistant coach Brian Shaw, “He has not been a part of what we’ve been doing on a daily basis.”

To make matters worse, the Clippers have announced that Leonard will be out indefinitely to start the season as he continues his knee rehabilitation. Despite not suiting up for L.A., Leonard hasn’t held back from criticizing the rest of the squad, tanking the Clippers’ locker room vibes. “Nobody stood out to me so far,” he told reporters early in camp, referring to his teammates’ progress in training camp.

To add insult to injury, veteran forward P.J. Tucker has stepped away from the team, citing "unresolved issues" — a worrying sign for a franchise already beset with culture concerns. Now, the weight of the organization falls squarely on the shoulders of 35-year-old James Harden. Can he carry a squad haunted by health problems, internal strife and a glaring lack of offensive firepower? 

The early returns are not promising. In L.A.’s recent win over the Mavericks, Harden looked disjointed and out of sync, turning the ball over six times while shooting just 3-for-12 from the field. With an injury-plagued superstar, a depleted roster and a new arena to fill, the Clippers face an uphill battle before the season even begins.