Top 10 Best NBA Franchises of All Time
You've seen the banners hanging from the rafters. You've watched the buzzer-beaters, the dynasty runs, the draft-day steals that turned into legends. Some franchises write their legacy in rings. Others in loyalty, grit, or decades of winning basketball. Not all greatness is flashy. Some of it shows up night after night, season after season, in the form of consistency, smart management, and a culture that knows how to win.
This list isn't just about who won the most titles. It's about everything that builds a franchise into something fans stick with for life. Iconic rosters, unforgettable playoff moments, legendary coaches, loyal fanbases, and a front office that knows how to put it all together.
Vote for the franchises you believe stand above the rest. Not just the ones that had a good run, but the ones that helped shape what the NBA is today. You know who belongs at the top. Let the world know it too.
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Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They are a member of the Western Conference Pacific Division of the National Basketball Association. As of the 2024-2025 season, the team plays its home games at the Crypto.com Arena.... read more
I am a Lakers fan, and even after putting any kind of bias aside, I can say that the Lakers are definitely the best franchise in the history of the NBA. The Lakers are currently tied with the Celtics for the most championships (and will likely surpass them) and have the most Finals appearances.
A great number of legendary players have worn the purple and gold, such as George Mikan, Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, Gail Goodrich, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis. No matter what changes occur in the NBA, one thing is always constant: the Lakers' brand of excellence.
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Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a professional basketball team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They are one of the most storied franchises in NBA history and are widely recognized for developing legendary players such as Larry Bird, Bill Russell, and Paul Pierce.... read more
We are talking all-time, not just before the 70s. The Celtics have 17 Finals wins (the most wins recorded by an NBA team, just so you know). We had Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Kevin Garnett, Robert Parish, Kevin McHale, Bob Cousy, John Havlicek, Danny Ainge, Ray Allen, Nate Archibald, Rajon Rondo, Tom Heinsohn, Dennis Johnson, Jo Jo White, Sam Jones, and Dave Cowens.
The list still goes on. On top of all that, we can shove the fact that we won 9 Finals in a row down your throat, LAKERS!
Most championships. Lakers "fans" don't count the championships before the 70s because the Celtics beat the Lakers year after year. Six Celtics championships against the Lakers during the 60s.
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San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are a professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They compete in the NBA as members of the Western Conference's Southwest Division. The Spurs were founded in 1967 as the Dallas Chaparrals before relocating and rebranding, and they have won five NBA championships.... read more
Tim Duncan is a boss. Back-to-back MVP awards with 3 Finals MVP awards, along with All-NBA Team and All-Defensive Team honors, make him the most consistent player in the NBA. Not to mention names like David Robinson and George Gervin.
The Spurs are the most underrated and most consistent team in the NBA of all time. We were in the playoffs for over 2 decades and won over 50 games each season 20 times. We had the best coach of all time and broke the streak of the Kobe/Shaq championships.
Even though the Spurs may not have another ring to top Chicago or Golden State, they sure do have an identity in winning, as they are the winningest team in basketball and all sports history. That is something not to be ignored.
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Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls compete in the National Basketball Association as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. They play their home games at the United Center, a venue they share with the NHL's Chicago... read more
Even though my team is the Knicks, I gotta say the Bulls in the 90s were the best basketball team ever. Jordan, Pippen, Rodman were no joke. Coming from a Knicks fan.
The Bulls wouldn't be the team they are if it weren't for Jordan and Pippen, in my opinion.
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Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are an American professional basketball team based in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. They compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Atlantic Division. The team was founded in 1946 and has won three NBA championships... read more
This is where they deserve to be. People think they are the worst team in history when their team hasn't won a championship yet. They also forget Wilt, Malone, and Dr. J. I do agree that they're not the best now, but all-time they're up there.
Dr. J, Wilt Chamberlain, Moses Malone, Charles Barkley, Allen Iverson. Two Sixers teams are considered top 10 NBA teams of all time. This franchise has been down for a while and is primed for a comeback.
This logo, to me, isn't the Sixers logo we all know and love.
The Allen Iverson era is the main reason the 76ers are what they are today.
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Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit, Michigan. They compete in the National Basketball Association as a member of the Eastern Conference's Central Division. The Pistons have won three NBA championships, in 1989, 1990, and 2004.
Should've won the '88 Finals. Bad Boyz took it in '89 and '90. They were the only team considered to have been able to stop MJ. Dominated the Eastern Conference in the 2000s and won it all in '04 too. Overall, they have held one of the greatest defensive teams of all time. Say no more.
To the Knicks fan below, the Pistons have more titles all-time than you! The Bad Boys won back-to-back and equaled your championship total themselves.
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Miami Heat
The Miami Heat is an American professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida. The Heat compete in the National Basketball Association as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Southeast Division. Founded in 1988, the team has won three NBA championships.
Not as much history as the other top franchises, but it is the most successful expansion franchise. Pat Riley put his championship pedigree to work and has brought 3 NBA titles, 5 Eastern Conference titles, and numerous Division titles to South Beach.
Not as historic as some of the other teams, but they had their time, and guys like Wade and LeBron demand respect.
They have only been in the NBA for 26 years and have been a good team almost every year.
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Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in San Francisco. The Warriors compete in the National Basketball Association as a member of the league's Western Conference Pacific Division.
They play their home games at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California... read more
The latest great dynasty in basketball, but losing Curry and Thompson to injury, and Durant to the Nets, really hurt. Draymond Green went from hero to zero. 2021 could prove to be a wonderful rebound with that top draft pick.
Now they are boss! Curry is my favorite player. I think they will win it all for a second straight year!
The Warriors have 6 championships and could go beyond now that they have 5 All-Stars.
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Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. They compete in the National Basketball Association as a member of the Western Conference's Southwest Division. The team has won two NBA championships, in 1994 and 1995.
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New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, commonly referred to as the Knicks, are an American professional basketball team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York City. They compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division. The team was established in 1946 and is one... read more
Easily top 10. They're better than the Bad Boy Pistons, have more years in the NBA than any other team, and the Utah Jazz? Yeah, right. They have no titles. The Knicks have been to the Finals 5 times. Come on, they should be higher.
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Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California. They compete in the National Basketball Association as a member of the Western Conference's Pacific Division. While the franchise has struggled to win championships, it maintains a passionate and loyal fan base.... read more
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Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets are an American professional basketball team based in Brooklyn, New York City. They compete in the National Basketball Association as part of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team has undergone several relocations and name changes before settling in Brooklyn.
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Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers, also known as the Cavs, are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They compete in the National Basketball Association as a member of the Eastern Conference Central Division. The team won its first NBA Championship in 2016.
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Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz are an American professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Jazz compete in the National Basketball Association as a member of the league's Western Conference Northwest Division. The team was originally established as the New Orleans Jazz in 1974 before relocating to... read more
Back in the 80s and 90s, they were great. Still good, and they're coming closer to a championship.
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Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are an American professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They compete in the National Basketball Association as part of the Western Conference Pacific Division. Founded in 1968, the Suns have reached the NBA Finals three times but have not yet won a championship.
They were really good in the 90s and even better in the 2000s, going to the Conference Finals almost every year.
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Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are an American professional basketball franchise based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Bucks compete in the National Basketball Association as a member of the Eastern Conference Central Division. The team won NBA championships in 1971 and 2021.
Best team ever. We had Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson. We also have Giannis and Middleton.
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Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder are an American professional basketball team based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They compete in the NBA as a member of the Western Conference Northwest Division. The franchise relocated from Seattle in 2008, where it was previously known as the Seattle SuperSonics.
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Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They compete in the National Basketball Association as a member of the Western Conference. The team was founded in 1970 and won its only NBA Championship in 1977.
I mean, I live in Portland, but the Blazers have been pretty good throughout their history.
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Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a Canadian professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario. They compete in the NBA as a member of the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division.
Established in 1995, the Raptors are the only NBA franchise located outside the United States. The team won its first NBA... read more
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Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are an American professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee. The Grizzlies compete in the National Basketball Association as a member of the league's Western Conference Southwest Division. The team was founded in 1995 as the Vancouver Grizzlies and relocated to Memphis... read more
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Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are an American professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They compete in the NBA as part of the Western Conference Southwest Division. Founded in 1980, the team won its first NBA Championship in 2011. The Mavericks have featured notable players such as Dirk Nowitzki,... read more
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Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are an American professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They compete in the NBA as part of the Central Division in the Eastern Conference. The team has made several playoff appearances and wears navy, gold, and white as its official colors.
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Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They compete in the National Basketball Association as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Southeast Division. The team was founded in 1946 and moved to Atlanta in 1968, after previously being located in... read more
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Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are an American professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C. They compete in the National Basketball Association as a member of the Eastern Conference's Southeast Division. The team was originally established as the Chicago Packers in 1961 before relocating and becoming... read more
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Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are an American professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They compete in the NBA as part of the Western Conference's Northwest Division. Originally established as the Denver Larks in 1967, the team changed its name to the Nuggets before joining the American Basketball... read more
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New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans are a professional basketball team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are a member of the NBA's Western Conference Southwest Division. The team was established as the New Orleans Hornets before changing its name to the Pelicans in 2013.
Easily one of the best. Anthony Davis has made this one of the best. I'm being serious.
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New Jersey Nets