The Sacramento Kings had a stretch from 2007 to 2022 where they didn’t reach the playoffs once. That lengthy playoff drought finally came to a conclusion in 2023. A collective sigh of relief was heard throughout Sacramento once they officially clinched a playoff spot for the first time in 17 seasons.
While no team currently has that long of a period without postseason basketball, there are four teams that haven’t reached the playoffs for at least four straight seasons. Their fans are hopeful that these droughts can end in 2025 and don’t come close to reaching the amount of years that Sacramento’s did.
The 4 Longest Active NBA Team Playoff Droughts
Charlotte Hornets – 8 seasons
The Hornets haven’t appeared in the playoffs since 2016. That year, they lost to the Miami Heat in seven games in the opening round. Out of the 14 players that saw action for Charlotte in the 2016 playoffs, only two are currently on a NBA roster (Nicolas Batum and Cody Zeller). The franchise hasn’t won a playoff series since 2002.
Any chance of ending the postseason drought falls on LaMelo Ball, and his ability to remain on the court. Turning 23 years old on August 22, Ball has only appeared in 58 games over the last two seasons. They have a new head coach in Charles Lee, who was an assistant with the champion Boston Celtics last season.
Detroit Pistons – 5 seasons
It was an ugly 2023-24 season for the Pistons. They went through a brutal 28-game losing streak and finished with a franchise-worst 14-68 record. That resulted in head coach Monty Williams being fired after just one season.
Enter new head coach, J.B. Bickerstaff, who will look to instill a winning culture. The team was in dire need of outside shooting. Adding pieces such as Tobias Harris, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Malik Beasley should help in that area.
San Antonio Spurs – 5 seasons
The Spurs earning a spot in the postseason used to be a certainty. They reached the playoffs every year from 1998 to 2019, also winning five championships in that time.
Now it’s five years without a taste of playoff basketball. San Antonio didn’t come close to qualifying last season with a 22-60 record. Still, fans got a glimpse of what Victor Wembanyama could mean for the franchise as they look to once again have the success they did in the Tim Duncan days. Adding veterans to the team in Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes to the team should help improve the win-loss record. In a stacked Western Conference though, postseason basketball for the Spurs won’t be easy to accomplish.
Houston Rockets – 4 seasons
While it’s been nearly half a decade since Houston experienced the playoffs, they are clearly an ascending team. Last season, they improved by 19 wins going 41-41. In 2022-23, they won just 22 games (also won only 20 in 2021-22 and 17 in 2020-21).
Their young core pieces now have another year of experience (Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., Jalen Green, and Amen Thompson). Houston added sharpshooter Reed Sheppard with the third overall pick. He is considered the favorite to win Rookie of the Year. Out of these four teams, the Rockets seem the likeliest to reach the postseason (currently +120 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook), although it won’t be easy out West.
