Even with two wins in their last three games, the Portland Trail Blazers have the fifth-worst record in the NBA. They have a 10.5 percent chance to land the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft based on the lottery odds as of March 14. Only the Charlotte Hornets, San Antonio Spurs, Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards are worse regarding wins and losses.
So technically, yes, Portland is the fifth-worst team in the NBA. But that doesn't mean they have the fifth-worst roster or are in the fifth-worst situation, because they don't and they're not.
3 Teams that are worse than the Trail Blazers despite being higher in the NBA standings
Whether it's because of a stale roster stuck in mediocrity, accumulating injuries or a murky future, these teams have more wins than Portland but still shouldn't be considered "better."
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies have the sixth-worst record in the league but four more wins than the Trail Blazers. Even so, Portland has been a better team with a better roster since the beginning of 2024.
Ja Morant is injured and out for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery. Fellow backcourt starter Marcus Smart is out for at least another three weeks with a finger issue. Brandon Clarke, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Vince Williams, all of whom are key players for the Grizzlies, were on the team's March 13 injury report.
Listed on that same injury report were forward Ziaire Williams, who's been a consistent starter lately with all the other injuries; Derrick Rose; Yuta Watanabe; Lamar Stevens; and Santi Aldama. Memphis started GG Jackson, Trey Jemison, John Konchar, Scottie Pippen Jr. and Luke Kennard in a loss to the Hornets, who have the fourth-worst record in the league.
At full strength, the Grizzlies are better than the Blazers. But Morant has dealt with off-court and on-court issues last season and this one. He returned from suspension and only played nine games this year before being shelved. Hopefully, for the good of the NBA and its fans, Ja will return at full strength. But after this long of a break, there are no guarantees. Without him, Memphis is a good team but not a great one.
Who knows what next year will bring but, right now, the Trail Blazers are simply better than the Grizzlies, even with four fewer wins.