5 NBA Rosters That Make Zero Sense

The NBA offseason is a period for teams to introspect and build rosters aligned with their short-term or long-term goals, but this process doesn't always result in logical team compositions. Some franchises enter the summer with rosters that create significant questions, ranging from specific weaknesses to broader incoherence, which need addressing before the next season.

The Charlotte Hornets face a notable lack of true wing defenders and a subpar center rotation. Rookies Kon Knueppel and Liam McNeeley have wing size but lack defensive capabilities, while Tidjane Salaün and Miles Bridges are tweener forwards, leaving Brandon Miller as the only reliable wing. The center position relies on Moussa Diabaté (who needs development), Mason Plumlee, and Ryan Kalkbrenner, lacking a high-end option to support key players like LaMelo Ball and Collin Sexton. Additionally, the team is overloaded with guards, including Tre Mann, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Nick Smith Jr., making it crucial to acquire true-wing depth or a center upgrade, potentially through trades involving players like Josh Green or Pat Connaughton.

The Boston Celtics' frontcourt is a major concern, especially with Jayson Tatum recovering from an Achilles injury. Their current power forward and center rotation—featuring Sam Hauser, Georges Niang, Xavier Tillman, Neemias Queta, Josh Minnott, and Luka Garza—is inadequate for competitiveness, particularly with Hauser or Niang likely facing cost-cutting moves. Despite retaining Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, the team must add more talent to this position, whether through trades or unexpected returns like Al Horford, to avoid tanking.

The New Orleans Pelicans signaled a push for contention by trading the No. 23 pick and an unprotected 2026 first-rounder to draft Derik Queen at No. 13. However, relying heavily on rookies Queen and Jeremiah Fears, an injury-prone Zion Williamson, and an absent Dejounte Murray makes achieving "really good" status a high-risk, long-shot endeavor.