NBA reconstruction ranking: How close are 14 teams to the championship?

When the first edition of the 2025 NBA Rebuild Rankings was launched in March, it is expected that the NBA draft draw will mark a huge turnaround. Cooper Flag and Dylan Harper are considered to be the top two consensus talents on the list, and no matter which team at the bottom makes them land, they will undoubtedly soar on the roster.

But then that decisive night in May, the Dallas Mavericks — whose 2024 Finals lineup was shaky by the shocking Luca Doncic trade in February and a tear of Kyrie Irving in March — and the San Antonio Spurs finished the top two. Even the third pick in the draft went to the Philadelphia 76ers, who entered last season as title contenders, and then their star plummeted in the season due to injury.

Therefore, the latest versions of these rankings are as difficult to parse as in the spring.

The four teams ranked last season - the Utah Jazz, the Washington Wizards, the Charlotte Hornets and the Brooklyn Nets, who failed to get the lottery luck they needed - what can be done to start their reconstruction? What’s next for teams like the Toronto Raptors, Atlanta Hawks and Portland Trail Blazers who missed the playoffs last year but are taking action to sneak into the competition?

Here is a look at where the 14 teams who missed the playoffs last season were in the reconstruction, especially how far each team is from the championship battle.

1. San Antonio Spurs

Under 25: 8

Trading First Round Picks: 3

Rookie Contract Players: 5

Strategy: The Spurs and Mavericks remind us that destiny sometimes boils down to something completely beyond the team's control: luck.

San Antonio won the first pick (Victor Vinbanyama), fourth pick (Stephen Castle) and second pick (Harper) in three consecutive drafts. As far as young geniuses are concerned, the trio is the envy of all teams except champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

Plus All-Star guard De Aaron Fox, who joined through the Sacramento Kings trade, and Devin Vassell, who renewed his contract for five years in October 2023, the Spurs have every reason to believe their rise in the tough West will continue.

Is it valid? Assuming that Vinban Yama is in good health after being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in February – the Spurs formally approved his return earlier this month – his presence alone is enough to allow the Spurs to lead the roster. Harper's addition in particular adds the possible perfect long-term fit as his pick-and-roll partner.

Estimated Relevance Regression: San Antonio is expected to compete for the top six of the playoffs this season, with Vampan Yama in good health and a combination of young players and draft picks, which will get another quality player in the coming months – if one player is available and San Antonio chooses to go all out.

2. Dallas Mavericks

Under 25 players: 6

Trading first-round picks: 3

Rookie contract players: 2

Strategy: Do you think San Antonio is lucky? Although Dallas general manager Nico Harrison claims fans can “see the vision” after the team won the No. 1 pick and Flag at 1.8% odds, the Mavericks ended here after trading the team’s cornerstone Doncic in February is that weird plot twist that will be ridiculed from the movie script.

Now, Dallas has elite prospects, veteran talent, tight competition windows—and great risks. The Mavericks have few ball handlers and their most reliable ball handler (Irving) will miss at least most of the regular season due to a torn ACL. But this organization may eventually unite as one of the greater threats to the West.

Is it valid? We haven't had a chance to see this lineup put together in the way Dallas envisioned when trading Doncic. Anthony Davis and Irving played less than a single game together due to injury, and it would take a long wait for them to be on the same game again due to Irving's left knee. But it is a deep, long distance, athletic and potentially excellent defensive team that can cause positioning problems when healthy.

Estimated Relevance Regression: If Irving returns and contributes in early 2026, it will be a big boost to Dallas in the second half of next season. With Flag, Dallas is expected to fully enter the Western Conference playoffs for the 2026-27 season with Flag, Davis and Irving joining. One question to ask about the near future: When will the Mavericks hand over the keys to Flag?

3. Atlanta Hawks

4. Philadelphia 76ers

5. Memphis Grizzlies

6. Washington Wizards

7. Charlotte Hornets

8. Utah Jazz

9. Brooklyn Nets

10. Toronto Raptors

11. Portland Trail Blazers

12. Chicago Bulls

13 New Orleans Pelicans

14. Phoenix Suns