5 NBA Teams That Must Step Up for the 2025 Season

The Early Offseason in the NBA

By the end of the season, only 10 teams in each conference can get a chance to play in the thrilling playoff games, with the top six teams guaranteed a spot in the said competition. The seventh to 10th seeds, however, will still have to engage in big battles in the Play-In Tournament to earn the chance to play as the eighth or seventh seed.

In total, seven teams in each conference don’t make it to the playoffs and will have to watch from the sidelines – making it a total of 14 teams who will have the chance to spend an early offseason. While some may mock these teams, it is also a chance for them to improve and build their roster.

Let’s not forget that teams who do not contend in the playoffs are given better odds when it comes to the NBA Draft Lottery – which is a chance for the team to select prime talents off the draft. It can be either to supplement their already established roster or find a generational centerpiece to build around.

Moreover, there are multiple talks as to how the longer offseason gives teams a chance to come up with more rest, refresh themselves for the coming season, or even recover further from the injuries that they have sustained over the course of the season. It also brings big options for teams to scout players on the market – even before the free agency market begins on July 1st.

Which Teams Need to Make Big Improvements Next Season?

So let’s dive into the actual question, who are the five NBA teams that desperately need to make huge improvements heading into next season? For starters, not all teams actually have the luxury to improve and build upon their rosters due to cap space, contracts, and other restrictive issues.

Here are the five teams that should make some improvement heading into the next NBA season:

Philadelphia 76ers

Let’s be clear, the expectations were really high when the Philadelphia 76ers landed Paul George in the offseason in the hopes of coming up with another big three with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. However, one should not overlook the injuries and the inconsistencies that the team has endured over the course of the season, which is why there’s indeed more to expect as to how they can improve in the next campaign. Let’s not forget that the team has also found a gem in Jared McCain, who was the hypothetical Rookie of the Year had it not been for his injury.

Next season is going to be a test of patience for the Sixers, who have endured too much of Embiid’s antics and are still yet to come up with an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since the Allen Iverson era. Yes, the stakes are high for Philly next season, and it can well be the difference of a rebuild and a continued stretch of Trusting the Process. However, George will need to move on from his podcasting for now and focus on the game, while Embiid should strive to stay healthy now more than ever.

Portland Trail Blazers

In what seems to be a satisfactory season, the Blazers are expected to build on its young core this time and come up with a different result next season. One can argue that bringing back head coach Chauncey Billups means that they are moving forward with the same gritty identity that they have built upon in the 2024-25 season. Scott Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, Toumani Camara, and Deni Avdija are all young talents, and the Blazers have the keys to the future considering that they have the second-youngest roster in the league (next to Oklahoma City).

The Blazers are forging a new path forward in the wake of the end of the Damian Lillard era, and one can say that this is indeed the next step they need to complete – to contend. After all, there have been a lot of impressive strides from the team this season, and one can say that the potential is there, it’s just the fact that they really need to come up with some improvements to start off their season and level up their games.

Washington Wizards

Well, the Detroit Pistons have emerged as a contender team after so many years of tanking and being the so-called “black eye” of the league. However, one can say that their co-black eye, the Washington Wizards, are also ready to contend moving forward. Considering that they have a team full of high-potential players, this is not some joke that most analysts would laugh at with the way the Wizards have ended up with the worst record in the league.

Still, a lineup that has Jordan Poole – who has championship experience along with Khris Middleton – can actually build the leadership core surrounded by talents such as Alex Sarr, who has been a standout rookie together with Bub Carrington. This team has such high potential, and maybe a few offseason moves should do the trick along with some luck in the NBA Draft.

San Antonio Spurs

In his second year in the NBA, Victor Wembanyama has already ascended to star status. However, this does not just put pressure on the San Antonio Spurs, but it also accelerates the team’s timeline – the need to contend while maximizing the early prime from the French Phenom. With Stephon Castle emerging as a strong performer off the wing and De’Aaron Fox ready to take the playmaking role, it does seem that the Spurs can well make a defining run next season and deliver impressive games moving forward.

There’s also the fact that the Spurs may see a coaching and managerial change should head coach Gregg Popovich fail to return to full health. That will, however, be the next bridge to cross for the team while they figure out what to work within the NBA Draft and then capitalize on the roster that they will contend with the best of all teams in the Western Conference.

Toronto Raptors

Scottie Barnes just found himself surrounded with elite talent – Brandon Ingram was landed in a trade, and so was RJ Barrett. Gradey Dick is having some fun shooting so far, and Chris Boucher is starting to blend well with Jakob Poeltl. All signs click well for the team – save for the need to improve in its depth.

Imagine having a backup lineup of Immanuel Quickley, Ochai Agbaji, Jamal Shead, AJ Lawson, and Jonathan Mogbo – almost all of these players are definitely not the picks you should have for a starting lineup that is solid enough to contend. If there’s one big thing that the Raptors should focus on this offseason, it’s the bench.

An Offseason to Look Forward To

As the offseason unfolds, these five teams stand at a pivotal crossroads. For some, it’s a matter of continuing a promising rebuild; for others, it's about making bold moves to finally break through to contention. The beauty of the NBA offseason lies in its unpredictability — a smart draft pick, a sneaky trade, or an unexpected free agent signing can be all it takes to shift a franchise’s trajectory.

Whether it’s the 76ers trying to salvage the Embiid era, the Trail Blazers nurturing a young and dynamic core, or the Wizards hoping to finally crawl out of irrelevance, the months ahead will reveal which front offices are ready to rise to the challenge. The Spurs and Raptors, on the other hand, are on the cusp — one with a generational star in Wembanyama and the other with an evolving roster that just needs the right finishing touches.

One thing’s for certain: just because these teams aren’t playing under the bright lights of the playoffs doesn’t mean they’re not in the spotlight. The decisions they make now could set the tone for years to come — and in the high-stakes world of the NBA, every move counts.