NBA: 5 Most Disappointing Teams So Far In 2016-17

Apr 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and Dallas Mavericks center Zaza Pachulia (27) rebound in the fourth quarter at Target Center. The Dallas Mavericks beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 88-78. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

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December 12, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) moves the ball up court as center Mason Plumlee (24) follows against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Portland Trail Blazers

Prior to the start of the 2015-16 campaign, the Portland Trail Blazers lost four starters via trade or free agency. Taking that into consideration, it would have been reasonable to think that this team was headed for a lottery pick, correct?

Well, not exactly.

Not only did the Trail Blazers finish with the fifth-best record in the Western Conference, they also defeated a short-handed Los Angeles Clippers team in the opening round of the playoffs before falling to the Warriors in the conference semifinals.

Instead of taking the next step forward, though, the Trail Blazers find themselves two games below the .500 mark (12-14) and clinging to the final playoff spot.

And while they rank sixth in both points per game (109.6) and offensive efficiency (110.4 points per 100 possessions), the Trail Blazers are dead last in the NBA with a defensive rating of 112.9 and are allowing 112.1 points per contest (28th).

Needless to say, this is not how the season was supposed to start. Unless they can find a way to turn things around soon, this team may fall out of the playoff picture altogether.