Rebuilding NBA Teams Looking to Take a Leap in 2023-24

For many NBA teams, rebuilding through the draft is one of the viable options towards contention.

With the NBA superstar landscape constantly shifting, teams are often left with rebuilding as their only path forward. Or, they simply need to accrue assets in the first place.

Over the last several years, a recurring group of teams has hovered around the top of the NBA Drafts: the Rockets, Pistons, Magic and Thunder.

Each of the four teams embarked on their very own rebuild over the past few seasons, with most officially drafting their first true pillar in the 2021 NBA Draft. The Pistons grabbed lottery luck in 2021 and selected Cade Cunningham first overall. Jalen Green found his way to Houston second overall, and Orlando kicked theirs off with the addition of Franz Wagner. OKC already acquired their focal point of Shai Gilgeous-Alexnader in the Paul George trade, but made their first selection of the new era in Josh Giddey.

In 2022, these teams would continue to stockpile young, talented players. Paolo Banchero to the Magic. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren to the Thunder. Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren to the Pistons. Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason to Houston.

Most recently, in the 2023 NBA Draft, the teams put their finishing touches on up-and-coming rosters. The Rockets and Magic added point guards in Amen Thompson and Anthony Blacks, respectively. The Pistons added the connective Ausar Thompson to their growing core, and OKC was able to trade up and nab combo guard Cason Wallace to continue to aid their versatility.

Now, each of the four teams that have been seemingly woven together via their rebuilds are looking to do just one thing: win games.

There’s been some repositioning from a few of these teams in order to land top basketball prospects. With far from championship rosters, losing games was necessary to add premier talent. But now, all four are ready to let loose and pull the lever at nearly the same time.

The Rockets added savvy veterans signings. The Thunder have a healthy Chet Holmgren rearing to plug in and address their weak spots. The Pistons have Cade Cunningham back from season-ending injury and are ready to make noise in the East after a slew of weak seasons. And the Magic have enough talent in Banchero, Wagner, Black and more to let loose and see where their team lands.

In a few short months, we’ll get to see whose done the best job to this point.

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