NBA Teams: 5 Franchises that could end with the worst record in the 2019-20 season

With less than a month left before the regular season tips off, teams across the league are gearing up to make a mark for themselves, beginning with respective training camps. While the stirring offseason left with endless threads to follow, there still remain a few rare certainties that can't be given the benefit of the doubt just yet.

The aforementioned belief is directed towards the squads who grazed the bottom of the standings last season and are projected to not exhibit noticeable change this year as well. One glaring exception comes in the form of the new-look Knicks, who finished dead last in 2018-19 with a miserable 17-65 win-loss record. Having incorporated newer and younger reinforcements, this exciting mix of talent in New York seems far from the worst squad in the league anymore.

On that note, let's take a look at the potential candidates who could take their spot at the bottom of the standings when the 2019-20 season draws to a close.

---

#1 Phoenix Suns

The Suns were the second-worst team in the league last year

Despite the passing brilliance of TJ Warren, Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton over the past few years, the lack of success for this organization screams of the fact that there is something wrong on a level that transcends just the players. As another hopeful shot at damage recovery, Phoenix's front office has managed to bag Ricky Rubio and Kelly Oubre Jr to support the franchise cornerstones in Booker and Ayton.

However, time holds proof that the effort and intensity with which the Suns play basketball, often falls short of NBA standards, rendering them helpless irrespective of quality individual talent.

Moreover, the dearth of reliable role-players coming off the bench as they head into the season will only add to their offensive woes when faced with intimidating opposition. Booker and the Suns could manage only 19 wins this past season and expectedly so, they are in line for another dull showing this year.

#2 Cleveland Cavaliers

Cavaliers drafted Darius Garland as the 5th overall pick this year

As LeBron flew West to join the Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers experienced the steepest fall in NBA history soon after - going from Conference Champs to second-worst in just one year. Now that they have successfully meshed Collin Sexton's talents with Kevin Love, the entry of Darius Garland should mean all is well for the former champs.

But, we know for a fact that their NBA trajectory can never be that linear. It takes a generational talent to turn around the fate of the franchise, and by the looks of it, we can be pretty sure that - however talented he may be - Garland is no LeBron James.

No doubt the roster houses more talent than before, but at the same time, that doesn't guarantee anything more than a few extra wins. Moreover, the NBA's talent pool is ever-growing and to believe that others won't make adjustments as well to inch through, depicts a purely delusional perspective.

#3 Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies let go of both Conley and Gasol in hopes of a rebuild

Right from his first NBA game, Ja Morant's shoulders carry a mammoth task of revamping a franchise. The Grizzlies added the 6-foot-2 point guard out of Murray State as the 2nd overall pick in this year's draft.

Currently, the starting lineup of Ja Morant, Dillon Brooks, Kyle Anderson, Jonas Valancuinas and Jaren Jackson Jr. does not look like an impactful group. Moreover, the presence of the only proven and reliable entity in the depth chart - Andre Iguodala - is already namesake as the front office continues to look for trade options to his desire.

Despite the presence of former franchise faces in Conley and Gasol for the majority of the past season, the Grizzlies could only manage 33 wins and finished out of the playoff picture. So it makes sense to stack the chips against Memphis now that they have to build everything from the ground up.

#4 Atlanta Hawks

Atalanta finished with the worst record in the Southeast Division

The Hawks have found a promising future in Trae Young and John Collins, who in turn have delivered through highly impressive scoring averages this past season. As a result of Atalanta's abysmal winning percentage (0.354) last season, the franchise got their hands on a No. 4 pick in the form of NCAA Champion, De'Andre Hunter.

For all its worth, the starting five for the upcoming season - comprising of Trae Young, John Collins, Kevin Huerter, Alex Len and De'Andre Hunter - present another talented and fresh approach to Hawks basketball, but no concrete proof of consistency.

In order for them to turn up against a 0.500+ team, the Hawks possess neither the required veteran depth nor dependable role players. With Duke recruit Cam Reddish suiting up for Hawks as well next season, this squad is jam-packed with talent. However, the lack of a leader and an abundance of new moving parts could hurt them in the long run.

#5 Washington Wizards

John Wall is likely to miss the next season as he rehabs his way back from an Achilles tendon surgery

Last season, it was fairly apparent that the Wizards were writhing in pain ever since their main man dropped out to a crushing injury. Next in line, the complete onus to carry this team forward fell on All-Star Bradley Beal, who showed superhuman scoring skills. However, in the end, the inabilities of the Wizards support crew got the better of him as the team finished way out of the playoff picture in a conference that was wide open for the taking.

With the latest roster addition in Rui Hachimura, Beal and Co. will tip off the 2019-20 campaign without Wall and most probably, end it without him as well. Moreover, CJ Miles and Troy Brown Jr will also miss significant time due to recent injuries, making the margin for error even slimmer for the ailing Washington squad.

In all probability, if Hachimura and Beal are unable to hit it off from the very first game, they might get trampled beneath the mammoth talent reserve that the other teams hold. Then there's always the possibility of the Wizards management changing their minds and trading Beal. If that happens, expect the Wizards to tank.