The 10 NBA franchises with the worst resources heading into the draft and the market: Bucks and Clippers, suffocated

In our previous article, we reviewed the teams with the most assets to make changes to their rosters, considering the cost in salaries, years of contracts, and draft picks. Now we do the opposite, we talk about the teams with fewer resources to move in the short term, with Milwaukee Bucks leading this ranking, composed of teams facing short-term issues if things don't go well like Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, or Los Angeles Lakers.

1. Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks have almost no remaining draft capital, having traded all their first-round picks until 2031. With not many young players or tradable assets, they might have to consider moving Bobby Portis or Pat Connaughton to gain some flexibility. Internal growth hopes rest on players like MarJon Beauchamp.

• Own draft picks traded away: 2025, 2027, and 2029 first rounds; swap rights in 2026, 2028, and 2030; no second rounds until 2031.
• Received external picks: None.
• Salary situation: Extremely heavy.
• Traded player exceptions: $2,019,706 (Robin Lopez) and $2,019,706 (Cameron Payne).
• Team's average age: 27.5 (24th in the NBA).

2. Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers are a veteran and expensive team. After losing Paul George and not being able to get much in return, they have little capital for the future. Their biggest asset could be Kawhi Leonard if they decide to trade him.

• Own draft picks traded away: 2026 and 2028 first rounds; swap rights in 2025, 2027, and 2029; no second rounds until 2030.
• Received external picks: None.
• Salary situation: Heavy but somewhat reasonable.
• Traded player exceptions: $559,782 (Filip Petrusev).
• Team's average age: 28.2 (29th in the NBA).

3. Minnesota Timberwolves

The Timberwolves have traded away almost all their draft capital and have one of the highest payrolls in the league. They are committed to their core of Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert, and Anthony Edwards, with little flexibility for additional moves.

• Own draft picks traded away: 2025, 2027, 2029, and 2031 first rounds; swaps in 2026 and 2030; no second rounds except 2029 and 2031.
• Received external picks: None.
• Salary situation: One of the highest in the league.
• Traded player exceptions: $4 million (Troy Brown Jr.), $8,780,488 (Kyle Anderson), $2,537,040 (Wendell Moore Jr.).
• Team's average age: 26.8 (20th in the NBA).

4. Phoenix Suns

The Suns have the highest payroll in the league and have committed a significant part of their draft capital. They are fully committed to their trio of Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker, with few options to improve the team.

• Own draft picks traded away: First rounds with complex conditions; no second rounds until 2031.
• Received external picks: None.
• Salary situation: The highest in the league.
• Traded player exceptions: $1,119,563 (Toumani Camara), $6,500,000 (Cameron Payne).
• Team's average age: 29.0 (30th in the NBA).

5. Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers have traded away much of their draft capital to acquire Donovan Mitchell. Although they have a promising future with Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, they don't have many assets to make another big move.

• Own draft picks traded away: Three first rounds to Utah, swap in 2028, 2030 second round to San Antonio.
• Received external picks: 2025 and 2027 second rounds from Milwaukee and Denver.
• Salary situation: Limited.
• Traded player exceptions: None.
• Team's average age: 27.5 (25th in the NBA).

6. Boston Celtics

As defending champions, the Celtics don't have many draft assets, but their roster is in its prime and doesn't need drastic changes. However, their salary situation is tight, limiting their future moves.

• Own draft picks traded away: 2028 first-round swap with San Antonio, 2029 first round to Portland or Washington; no second rounds until 2030.
• Received external picks: 2025 and 2026 second rounds.
• Salary situation: Limited by the luxury tax.
• Traded player exceptions: $89,025 (Lamar Stevens), $2,019,706 (Dalano Banton).
• Team's average age: 27.2 (23rd in the NBA).

7. Miami Heat

The Heat have always prioritized the present over the future, trading draft picks for veteran players. They have few young assets, and their salary situation is very tight.

• Own draft picks traded away: Protected first rounds in 2025 and 2027; almost all second rounds traded.
• Received external picks: 2026 second round from the Lakers.
• Salary situation: Quite tight.
• Traded player exceptions: $6,477,319 (Kyle Lowry).
• Team's average age: 27.6 (26th in the NBA).

8. New York Knicks

The Knicks have traded most of their first-round picks but have amassed some second-rounders. They are focused on immediate results, leaving them with little flexibility for the future.

• Own draft picks traded away: 2025, 2027, 2029, and 2031 first rounds; 2028 swaps; no second rounds in 2025, 2028, 2029, or 2030.
• Received external picks: Protected 2025 first rounds from Washington and Detroit; seven second rounds.
• Salary situation: Significant future commitments.
• Traded player exceptions: $5,241,072 (R.J. Barrett), $3,873,025 (Malachi Flynn).
• Team's average age: 26.7 (19th in the NBA).

9. Los Angeles Lakers

Despite having LeBron James, who will soon turn 40, the Lakers have a relatively young team with key players in development. They have not fully mortgaged their future and still have some tradable assets.

• Own draft picks traded away: 2025 and 2027 first rounds; 2026, 2028, and 2029 second rounds.
• Received external picks: 2025 second round from the Clippers.
• Salary situation: Quite full.
• Traded player exceptions: None.
• Team's average age: 26.2 (14th in the NBA).

10. Sacramento Kings

The Kings have made aggressive moves this season, like acquiring DeMar DeRozan. They are in win-now mode, but their future flexibility is limited due to the lack of significant draft capital.

• Own draft picks traded away: Protected first-round pick to Atlanta, three second-round picks traded.
• Received external picks: None.
• Salary situation: Average.
• Traded player exceptions: $547,640 (Davion Mitchell), $6,341,464 (Sasha Vezenkov), $5,893,768 (Chris Duarte).
• Team's average age: 27.0 (22nd in the NBA).

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