The 2025-26 NBA regular season has almost come to a close, with a few more games to play. While it’s been a fun ride for several teams, others have had a difficult season, even with a roster that looked good on paper. It would be especially painful for a team like the Milwaukee Bucks, which was consistently plagued by internal issues.
As NBA teams go into repair mode and look forward to the offseason, let’s explore five teams that have met a disappointing finish to their regular season. We have not chosen these teams just based on their performance, but also on how good the team looked at the start of the season.
5 disappointing teams of the 2025-26 NBA regular season (not in order)
#1. Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz seemed like a well-rounded team with a talented offense operator in Keyonte George and a crucial frontcourt piece in Lauri Markkanen. However, the pairing could not fire as expected. George was sidelined in March due to a right hamstring strain and missed the rest of the season. Interestingly, his production rose significantly this season, averaging 23.6 points and 6.1 assists in 54 games.
Markkanen also had a good season, averaging 26.7 points and leading the team in scoring. While both stars suffered major injury woes, their individual game could not convert into wins. The team lacked depth and a veteran presence, despite having some talented youngsters like Ace Bailey. The team will look to plug those loopholes in the offseason.
#2. Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings came into the season with a talented trio in Russell Westbrook, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan. However, that did not execute well on the court, and they seriously lacked size after Domantas Sabonis missed a major part of the season initially due to a torn meniscus. When he returned in January, the team was already at the rear end of the standings.
LaVine has been rumored to be traded soon, given the results they have produced together. DeRozan led the team in scoring (18.4), and Westbrook led in assists per game (6.7). Surely, they will look a lot different after the offseason ends.
#3. Washington Wizards
Even though the Wizards have some talented youngsters, like Alex Sarr, Will Riley, Bub Carrington, and others, their season was plagued by trades and inconsistencies. They acquired some big names during the midseason trade period, Anthony Davis and Trae Young, but they have been sleeping giants.
While Davis is nursing a hand injury, Young suffered a right quadriceps contusion and lower back irritation. The prospects of this young team getting prominent leaders have been fun for fans thus far, but Davis’ injury concerns have haunted every team. Only time will tell if the capital team comes up big next season.
#4. Dallas Mavericks
Cooper Flagg has been a once-in-a-decade kind of find for the Mavericks this season. He has led the offense and scoring (21.2), but that, including Davis’ back-to-back injuries, led the management to reassess their decisions for the team. They traded the 10-time NBA All-Star forward during the NBA midseason trade and have gone into rebuild mode.
The Mavs hoarded several draft assets midseason and might look to acquire some crucial pieces around Flagg for the coming seasons. Irving’s season also ended due to a knee injury. All that led to them winning just 25 games this season. P.J. Washington was the only effective piece in the frontcourt, leading the team in rebounds (7.0).
#5. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks have endured a very difficult season after they suffered consistent internal turmoil. Giannis Antetokounmpo shared that he was unsatisfied with the roster and the team chemistry in the middle of the season, which had a ripple effect for the team. The forward was sidelined for several games due to a knee injury, and the team could not withstand that.
Ryan Rollins led the scoring (17.3) and assists (5.6) in the absence of the superstar forward, but the team was clueless with Giannis out of the rotation. The management has some good perimeter shooting options with Taurean Prince, Myles Turner, and AJ Green, but the team lacks a dedicated operator like Damian Lillard.
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