2025 NBA rebuild rankings: Where Spurs, Mavs, Suns check in

Initial 2025 NBA rebuild rankings anticipated a major shift based on the draft lottery, expecting consensus top talents Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper to transform whichever bottom teams selected them.

However, the May lottery delivered a surprise: the Dallas Mavericks (whose Finals roster was impacted by Luka Doncic's February trade and Kyrie Irving's March ACL tear) and the San Antonio Spurs landed the top two picks. Even the third pick, VJ Edgecombe, went to the injury-plagued Philadelphia 76ers, a former title contender. This unexpected outcome makes the latest rebuild rankings difficult to assess.

The article examines the rebuild status of the 14 teams missing the 2024 playoffs, focusing on their proximity to championship contention. Rankings prioritize the combination of current talent and future upside for championship potential, not just present roster strength.

The San Antonio Spurs (8 players under 25, 3 tradeable first-round picks, 5 rookie-scale contracts) exemplify how luck impacts fortunes. They secured the No. 1 (Victor Wembanyama), No. 4 (Stephon Castle), and No. 2 (Dylan Harper) picks in three consecutive drafts, creating a young core rivaled only by Oklahoma City. Adding All-Star De'Aaron Fox via trade and retaining Devin Vassell on an extension gives them confidence for continued rise in the West.

Assuming Wembanyama is healthy after his February DVT diagnosis (cleared this month), his presence alone justifies the Spurs leading the rankings. Harper's addition is seen as a potential perfect long-term pick-and-roll partner. The Spurs expect to compete for a top-six playoff spot this season and possess the assets (young players and picks) to potentially acquire another premium player soon.

The Dallas Mavericks (6 players under 25, 3 tradeable first-round picks, 2 rookie-scale contracts) experienced remarkable lottery luck. Despite trading franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic in February and facing long odds (1.8%), they landed the No. 1 pick and Cooper Flagg. GM Nico Harrison stated fans can "see the vision" after this improbable outcome, described as an outlandish plot twist.