18. Golden State Warriors
This is another team that is making some incredibly strange moves, especially if they want to compete for a title. The Warriors' era of dominance is over, and they should be engaged in a full rebuild at this point. Instead, they're clinging to the past and somehow adding to it.
They signed head coach Steve Kerr to two more seasons. Draymond Green opted out of his contract, so the Warriors have the cap space to potentially sign free agent LeBron James. Then, they reputedly want to trade for Anthony Davis, which is unlikely to happen.
The only award this team is winning is for nostalgia. If everyone is being honest, this could be a fun group to watch play basketball. It's a borderline American Olympic team. That's assuming everyone stays healthy, which they won't. Even Stephen Curry has been dealing with injury issues.
17. Orlando Magic
The Magic were one of the teams who got their butts kicked by injuries last season, both in the regular 82 and the playoffs. If Franz Wagner hadn't been injured for the last three games against the Pistons, Orlando may have moved on to the second round instead of Detroit.
Honestly, this is a team in a pretty good place that doesn't need to make huge moves. They have a good roster and a new head coach. Orlando waived Jonathan Isaac, signed Nikola Vucevic, and drafted Jase Richardson. That could be enough to take this group to the next level.
No one is suggesting that this iteration of the Magic are championship contenders. But they are the next step on developing towards that goal. At the very least, fans should not be shocked to see Orlando in the playoffs this season without having to go through the Play-In first.
16. Boston Celtics
Is the Celtics' front office okay? Picking up Mitchell Robinson from the Knicks was a smart call. He's a good center who could do wonders for the team. They've also done a good job of semi-rebuilding the roster after the salary cap tore their championship team apart. That includes the 2026 draft.
None of that is the problem. They recently traded Jaylen Brown, a franchise player and NBA Finals MVP, to the 76ers in exchange for Paul George and a couple of draft picks. While it's less shocking than the infamous Luka trade, it is without question a much worse overall trade.
Largely thanks to Brown, the Celtics actually looked good last season despite a depleted team and an injured Jayson Tatum. The Brown trade was inevitable, but there had to be a better choice than this. The only way George helps teams win titles is by leaving them.
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