CBS Sports has ranked all 30 NBA teams from least to most in need of major roster overhauls through trades. The Sacramento Kings top the list as the team most desperate for a complete rebuild, while top contenders like the Oklahoma City Thunder rank at the bottom. The analysis highlights ongoing frustrations, recent firings, and trade suggestions amid early-season struggles.
The article details a tiered ranking of NBA teams based on their urgency to 'blow it up' via trades, amid reports of player-coach tensions and early firings like GM Nico Harrison and coach Willie Green, formerly of the Pelicans.
In the top tier (No-explosives zone), teams like the 30th-ranked Oklahoma City Thunder, 29th Denver Nuggets, 28th Cleveland Cavaliers, 27th San Antonio Spurs, 26th Houston Rockets, 25th New York Knicks, and 24th Detroit Pistons are content and competitive, holding top seeds in their conferences.
Tier VIII includes the 23rd Minnesota Timberwolves, 22nd Golden State Warriors, and 21st Los Angeles Lakers, all eyeing win-now trades rather than overhauls. The Timberwolves recently traded Karl-Anthony Towns, while the Lakers, with Luka Dončić, seek superstars.
Mid-tiers cover rebuilding teams like the 20th Brooklyn Nets, 19th Washington Wizards, and 18th Charlotte Hornets, who have already dismantled cores. The 17th Orlando Magic recently acquired Desmond Bane with mixed results.
Higher urgency teams include the 11th Indiana Pacers (2 wins this season), 10th Boston Celtics (without Jayson Tatum), and 9th Atlanta Hawks (7-2 without Trae Young). The 8th Phoenix Suns (9-6) and 7th Milwaukee Bucks (facing Giannis Antetokounmpo extension issues) show promise but vulnerabilities.
Tier III features the 6th Utah Jazz, urged to trade Lauri Markkanen to tank, and 5th Memphis Grizzlies, suggested to move Ja Morant due to reliability issues. Tier II includes the 4th Los Angeles Clippers (limited by picks), 3rd New Orleans Pelicans (trade Zion Williamson), and 2nd Dallas Mavericks (maximize 2026 pick).
At No. 1, the Sacramento Kings are advised to trade everyone, including Domantas Sabonis, as few players hold value in a roster of misfits.