With the NBA trade deadline and All-Star break in the rearview mirror, it's never too early for teams to begin thinking about 2025-26 -- especially those who have fallen well short of expectations. For a handful of teams, the upcoming summer presents an opportunity for a fresh start and a chance to rectify their missteps.
That's small consolation for the New Orleans Pelicans, Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns -- three teams that began the year with playoff (and, in the cases of Philadelphia and Phoenix, championship) aspirations and will almost certainly end up in the lottery.