Two weeks into the 2026-27 NBA season, the league’s competitive balance appears shaky. Five teams have secured only a single victory, and many of those wins occurred in games against each other. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated only the Sacramento Kings, while the Chicago Bulls beat just the Milwaukee Bucks. The Kings’ sole win came against the Dallas Mavericks during a rest day for Kyrie Irving. While the NBA has always had struggling teams, the new incentive structures are making the race to avoid the bottom of the standings particularly intense.
The league has implemented a 3-2-1 lottery format to discourage tanking. Under this system, the three worst teams receive only two lottery balls out of 37, while the next seven teams that miss the Play-In Tournament receive three balls each. This design theoretically creates a fierce competition to avoid the bottom three spots. However, early results suggest the landscape is more complex than intended, with several teams facing unique internal and financial pressures that may influence their final standings.
The Utah Jazz, currently 1-7, rank seventh on the list of teams likely to land in the relegation zone. After four years of rebuilding under a restrictive front office, coach Will Hardy is now free to build a winning team, yet results have been elusive. The offense lacks flow, and star pick Darryn Peterson is struggling to create shots. The team relies heavily on Keyonte George for creation, but the lack of passing is evident. Their only win was a one-point home victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. With the Western Conference becoming deeper, the Jazz are digging a difficult hole to escape, despite the expected return of key players like Jusuf Nurkic and Jaren Jackson Jr.
The Phoenix Suns, at 2-5, sit at number six. They are ranked above the Utah Jazz and Orlando Magic because they have substantial reinforcements arriving. Mark Williams’ eventual return is significant, though he does not match the caliber of other returning stars. Internal friction is growing, with reports of frustration over the lack of a true point guard. Jalen Green’s inefficient scoring may lead to him being benched in favor of Collin Gillespie. The Suns have also lost their defensive identity, currently holding the worst rebounding record in the league. Devin Booker’s declining performance and the limited draft assets remaining make the early outlook discouraging, though the team may still reach 30 wins.
Brooklyn Nets, at 2-6, are fifth on the list. This group marks a significant drop in talent compared to teams like Utah and Phoenix. Julius Randle has been inefficient, and the team ranks among the highest in turnovers. Their defensive strategy sacrifices three-point volume to stop rim shots, but they lack a reliable rim protector. The Nets owe their first-round pick to the Houston Rockets, which creates a complex incentive structure. They may want to avoid landing in the top five picks again to preserve future flexibility, potentially encouraging them to lose. However, their recent trade for Randle suggests an intent to compete, keeping them out of the bottom three picks for now.
The Sacramento Kings, at 1-7, are fourth and the only team on the list that fits the relegation zone system as intended. They do not owe picks out and are not subject to consecutive high-pick restrictions. They genuinely want a high draft pick and have over $70 million in expiring contracts to facilitate deadline trades. However, their current roster is unusual, with Domantas Sabonis playing heavy minutes while attempting few shots. Rookie Darius Acuff Jr. has an exceptionally high usage rate, leading the team to prioritize his development over immediate wins. This approach keeps them on the bubble for the bottom three, but three other teams are stronger candidates.
The Los Angeles Clippers, at 1-7, are third. Their ball-handling issues are severe, with the second-worst turnover rate in the league. Darius Garland’s injury concerns and the team’s poor performance at the rim exacerbate the problem. While they defend better than most on this list due to coach Jeff Van Gundy, their incentive structures complicate their strategy. The Clippers owe picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder and Philadelphia 76ers. Having circumvented the salary cap, they are in a draft capital deficit. It may be beneficial for them to trade veteran players like Brook Lopez and Max Strus for value, which could weaken their roster further and increase their chances of finishing in the bottom three.
The Milwaukee Bucks, at 1-7, are second. Speculation suggests they may have circumvented the cap with the contract given to Gary Trent Jr., who has been a non-game in six of their eight games. If they lose picks, they are incentivized to trade players they do not intend to keep. The team is currently a bottom-five offense and defense with no major injuries. The roster is unbalanced, with half the players being shooting guards and a lack of depth at forward. Myles Turner is averaging single digits in scoring, and the young players are not yet ready. The combination of financial incentives and roster imbalance makes them a strong candidate for the relegation zone.
