As the NBA offseason draws to a close and training camps loom, most teams have finalized their rosters for the 2025-26 season. Nevertheless, significant gaps persist within several clubs.
Some rebuilding teams prioritize short-term roster improvements over building a cohesive unit, a consequence of the constraints imposed by the NBA`s new, more restrictive collective bargaining agreement. Others, like the Golden State Warriors, face challenges due to waiting on restricted free agency outcomes.
For title contenders, such as the reigning champions Oklahoma City Thunder, the absence of obvious flaws can indicate a well-constructed roster. Conversely, having a single notable weakness might not be so critical for teams aspiring to reach that elite level – provided they can address it through internal player development or mid-season acquisitions.
With this in mind, let`s examine the most crucial roster deficiencies for all 30 NBA teams.
Teams are listed in alphabetical order.
Jump to a team:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTA | WAS
Atlanta Hawks
Biggest Roster Hole: Second-unit playmaking
Last season, the Hawks` offensive rating plummeted by 10 points per 100 possessions whenever Trae Young was off the court. While Atlanta has strengthened its reserve backcourt by acquiring Nickeil Alexander-Walker, he isn`t a primary ball-handler. Alexander-Walker, current starter Dyson Daniels, and newcomer Luke Kennard may share playmaking responsibilities during Young`s rest periods.
Boston Celtics
Biggest Roster Hole: Two-way center play
For the past two seasons, the Celtics enjoyed an abundance of reliable center options with Al Horford, Luke Kornet, and Kristaps Porzingis. Now, Boston is starting fresh. Neemias Queta has demonstrated rim protection and finishing abilities, while the Celtics are banking on Luka Garza`s offensive skills outweighing his defensive limitations. However, neither player could be confidently relied upon to start a playoff game before this season.
Brooklyn Nets
Biggest Roster Hole: Playmaking experience
After finishing last season with the NBA`s sixth-worst record, the Nets appear to be taking a cautious approach ahead of a first-round draft swap in 2027. Inexperienced ball-handlers are often a direct path to losses, and with D`Angelo Russell`s departure in free agency, Brooklyn`s point guard rotation will now feature teenage rookies Egor Demin and Nolan Traore.
Charlotte Hornets
Biggest Roster Hole: Starting center
Following the trade of Mark Williams to the Phoenix Suns, the Hornets will likely rely on either second-round pick Ryan Kalkbrenner or Moussa Diabate to assume a starting role. Signed on a two-way contract last summer, Diabate quietly excelled on the offensive glass while shooting 60%, and Kalkbrenner was highly productive at Creighton. Still, both seem better suited for more limited roles at this stage.
Chicago Bulls
Biggest Roster Hole: Defensive disruption
The Bulls ranked 29th in forcing turnovers last season (only ahead of the Utah Jazz) and traded away their steals-per-game leader, Lonzo Ball, who averaged 1.3 in just 22.2 minutes. Isaac Okoro, acquired for Ball, has never averaged a steal per game. Chicago will need to depend more on solid, disciplined defense than on creating turnovers.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Biggest Roster Hole: Perimeter depth
By the end of the season, this could evolve into a strength for Cleveland, which features All-Star guards Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell. However, with Garland recovering from toe surgery and Max Strus expected to be out until at least December due to a Jones fracture, the Cavaliers` depth will be severely tested – especially considering the inevitable additional injuries.
Dallas Mavericks
Biggest Roster Hole: Playmaking
Despite the strength of the Mavericks` frontcourt with the addition of Anthony Davis, someone needs to effectively distribute the ball to these players – a shortcoming that led Dallas to win the lottery and draft Cooper Flagg. Until Kyrie Irving returns, the primary responsibility falls on D`Angelo Russell, who fell out of favor with the Lakers last season.
Denver Nuggets
Biggest Roster Hole: Point guard depth
This issue became more complex this summer, even with the Nuggets adding Jonas Valanciunas, a proven backup for three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, and improving their shooting. Denver is betting on Jalen Pickett – who was a non-factor in last year`s playoffs – as Jamal Murray`s primary backup. However, newcomer Bruce Brown could potentially handle those minutes in the postseason.
Detroit Pistons
Biggest Roster Hole: Reliable ball-handling
The Pistons ranked 21st in turnover rate last season, trailing only two playoff teams (the LA Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies), and subsequently lost one of their most reliable ball-handlers in Dennis Schroder, who boasted a 4.2 assist-to-turnover ratio with Detroit. With Jaden Ivey slated as the backup point guard, my SCHOENE projection system anticipates the Pistons having the league`s second-worst turnover rate.
Golden State Warriors
Biggest Roster Hole: Official contracts
Due to Jonathan Kuminga`s ongoing restricted free agency saga, the Warriors find themselves in the peculiar situation of having only 10 players under contract as training camp approaches. As ESPN`s Anthony Slater reported, Golden State is expected to sign free agents Al Horford and De`Anthony Melton once Kuminga`s situation is resolved.
Houston Rockets
Biggest Roster Hole: Point guard depth
The Rockets are banking on 2024 No. 3 pick Reed Sheppard to solve this issue in his second season. Sheppard played only 654 minutes as a rookie, struggling to secure a regular rotation spot. Houston can turn to veteran Aaron Holiday, who saw slightly more action last year, but Sheppard winning the starting job would be the most favorable outcome.
Indiana Pacers
Biggest Roster Hole: Two-way center play
In the aftermath of Tyrese Haliburton`s Achilles injury, starting center Myles Turner reached an agreement with Milwaukee. Jay Huff can provide the shooting Turner offered, while Isaiah Jackson – who is also recovering from an Achilles rupture – is a superior defender. However, neither has proven capable of consistently starting.
LA Clippers
Biggest Roster Hole: Young contributors
Ty Lue will have a plethora of options after the Clippers bolstered their veteran roster this offseason, adding Bradley Beal, John Collins, Brook Lopez, and Chris Paul. However, there`s a significant gap beyond the Clippers` solid top 11 players. Kobe Brown and Cam Christie combined for just 331 minutes last season, and No. 30 pick Yanic Konan Niederhauser might not contribute immediately.
Los Angeles Lakers
Biggest Roster Hole: On-ball defense
As potent as the Lakers` perimeter trio of Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves is offensively, it faces defensive limitations. Dorian Finney-Smith, now with Houston, served as the Lakers` perimeter stopper after the trade deadline. They`ve added Marcus Smart, but at this stage of his career, Smart might be more effective against bigger opponents than defending the point of attack.
Memphis Grizzlies
Biggest Roster Hole: Wing size
The Grizzlies were linked to Dorian Finney-Smith last season due to their lack of a suitable matchup for larger forwards. The hope is that No. 11 pick Cedric Coward – a physical 6-foot-6 forward – will change that, though he will likely need time to adapt to the NBA after playing two seasons in the Big Sky and only six games last season at Washington State.
Miami Heat
Biggest Roster Hole: Foul drawing
After trading Jimmy Butler III, the Heat`s perimeter-oriented offense struggled to get to the free-throw line. Only the Celtics had a worse free-throw rate after the All-Star break, and Miami attempted just 13.3 per game in a first-round sweep by Boston, which was the second-lowest in playoff history… behind the 2024 Heat (12.0). Adding Norman Powell (4.4 FTA per game) should offer some assistance.
Milwaukee Bucks
Biggest Roster Hole: Reliable point guard play
It`s possible that two-way wings could pose a greater challenge, but after Damian Lillard`s Achilles injury and his subsequent waiving, Milwaukee is heavily investing in unproven point guards. Kevin Porter Jr. did score well after joining the Bucks in February, Ryan Rollins is a capable defender, and newcomer Cole Anthony adds decent value. However, none of them currently appear to be starter-caliber on a championship contender.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Biggest Roster Hole: Wing depth
Having lost Nickeil Alexander-Walker, the Timberwolves are relying on their recent draft picks to step into more significant roles. Terrence Shannon Jr. leads this group after contributing in the conference finals and excelling in the NBA Summer League, ahead of 2024 lottery pick Rob Dillingham. Disruptive defender Jaylen Clark is also a potential option.
New Orleans Pelicans
Biggest Roster Hole: Center
It`s concerning how much the Pelicans invested in centers this summer, trading up to select Derik Queen at No. 13 and signing Kevon Looney in free agency. Neither is a clear starter this season, which might leave New Orleans depending on 2024 first-rounder Yves Missi. Missi`s 55% shooting was low given his average shot distance of 2.8 feet, according to Basketball-Reference.com.
New York Knicks
Biggest Roster Hole: More depth
Anticipating a larger rotation under new coach Mike Brown, the Knicks added Jordan Clarkson to the backcourt and Guerschon Yabusele to the frontcourt, but still only feature nine proven contributors. ESPN`s Shams Charania reported Thursday that New York re-signed Landry Shamet and might add Malcolm Brogdon as another veteran option.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Biggest Roster Hole: New arena
Groundbreaking for the team`s new arena, located across the street from the Paycom Center and scheduled to open in 2028, is planned for the first quarter of 2026. This will undoubtedly create a larger “hole” than any roster deficiency for the defending champions, who are returning their entire core rotation.
Orlando Magic
Biggest Roster Hole: 3-point shooting
I might have given the same answer this time last year, but with far greater urgency now. Orlando shot 32% from beyond the arc, the worst by an NBA team since the 2015-16 Lakers. Adding Desmond Bane and Tyus Jones should significantly help the Magic, though 3-point shooting remains the biggest weakness on what appears to be a competitive roster.
Philadelphia 76ers
Biggest Roster Hole: Power forward
While the health of Joel Embiid and Paul George is a more pressing concern, Philadelphia currently lacks a clear starter between the 6-foot-8 George and 7-foot Embiid in terms of height. The Sixers will most likely opt for a small lineup with George as their tallest non-center, but they become dangerously undersized when George is off the court.
Phoenix Suns
Biggest Roster Hole: Point guard
The Suns are reportedly expecting newcomer Jalen Green to start at point guard alongside Devin Booker, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports, which brings back the playmaking deficit that troubled them in 2023-24. Phoenix might be better served with Collin Gillespie, who averaged 9.6 points and 4.1 assists in nine starts last season, shooting 47.5% on 3-pointers.
Portland Trail Blazers
Biggest Roster Hole: Point guard depth
With Damian Lillard spending his first season back in Portland on the sidelines due to an Achilles tear, the Blazers lack ideal options behind Scoot Henderson and newcomer Jrue Holiday. If either misses time, Portland might be better off utilizing Deni Avdija as a point forward rather than relying on reclamation project Blake Wesley.
Sacramento Kings
Biggest Roster Hole: Frontcourt reserves
After trading Jonas Valanciunas for salary purposes, the Kings are left with many questions regarding their backup frontcourt options behind starters Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis. Journeyman Drew Eubanks and second-round pick Maxime Raynaud will compete to back up Sabonis at center. Meanwhile, DeMar DeRozan will likely serve as Sacramento`s de facto backup power forward, creating minutes for the team`s deep wing rotation.
San Antonio Spurs
Biggest Roster Hole: Guard shooting
Admittedly, the Spurs possess ample frontcourt spacing with the addition of Kelly Olynyk alongside Victor Wembanyama. Devin Vassell is also a career 37% 3-point shooter. The concern lies with San Antonio`s ball-handlers, none of whom excel beyond the arc. De`Aaron Fox shot 31% on 3-pointers last season, Stephon Castle 28.5% as a rookie, and No. 2 pick Dylan Harper 33% at Rutgers.
Toronto Raptors
Biggest Roster Hole: Efficient shot creation
Last season, the Raptors had only two players with an above-average usage rate and a true shooting percentage better than .550: Immanuel Quickley (33 games) and the since-departed reserve Chris Boucher. Brandon Ingram could provide assistance after posting a .576 TS% during his New Orleans career. More importantly, a healthy roster would help distribute the offensive load and boost shooting percentages across the board.
Utah Jazz
Biggest Roster Hole: Backcourt experience
After giving 20-year-old rookies Isaiah Collier and Cody Williams a combined 67 starts last season, the Jazz opted for an even younger backcourt by trading veteran Collin Sexton and buying out Jordan Clarkson. First-round pick Walter Clayton Jr., at 22, is the elder statesman in a backcourt that also features 21-year-old Keyonte George.
Washington Wizards
Biggest Roster Hole: Power forward
On a rebuilding team, filling specific positions is often less crucial than accumulating talent. Nevertheless, it`s noteworthy that Washington might not have any player on the roster whose primary position is power forward. Marvin Bagley III is more likely to play center, which could leave wings Justin Champagnie, Kyshawn George, Khris Middleton, and Cam Whitmore manning the power forward spot.