Which NBA Team Do Players Want to Avoid the Most? Survey Reveals the Answer

Anonymous NBA Player Poll

According to Главком: In a recent anonymous survey conducted by the American outlet The Athletic, NBA players were asked which teams they would least like to join. The Memphis Grizzlies topped the list, receiving 35.2% of the votes. Other franchises that players preferred to avoid include:

• Washington Wizards – 11.7% of the vote
• Sacramento Kings – 10.8% of the vote

Players also expressed reluctance to play for Brooklyn, the Lakers, Utah, the New Orleans Pelicans, Charlotte, Portland, New York, Indiana, Milwaukee, and Detroit. One player commented:

“Honestly, I’d play anywhere. But if I had to pick, Memphis is a place I wouldn’t want to live. So I wouldn’t want to play there.”

Ukraine’s National Basketball Team Progress

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s national basketball team continues its campaign in the 2027 World Cup qualifiers. In the fourth round, the team lost to Spain 78-64. Ukrainian players posted the following stats in that game:

• Lukashov – 6 points
• Kovliar – 11 points
• Voinalovych – 12 points
• Lypovyi – 8 points
• Bobrov – 7 points

In the third qualifying round, Ukraine also suffered a heavy defeat to Spain, 66-86. However, in the second round, the team secured a win over Denmark, 88-71. The first match of the qualifiers ended with Ukraine defeating Georgia 79-92, where Oleksandr Kovliar was the top scorer with 31 points. His teammates also performed well: Oleksandr Lypovyi scored 13 points, and Viacheslav Bobrov recorded a double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds.

Despite the challenges faced in these qualifying matches, Ukraine’s squad remains in contention for a spot at the World Cup. The high percentage of players unwilling to join the Memphis Grizzlies may point to underlying organizational issues that NBA leadership should address, potentially affecting the team’s ability to attract new talent in the future. As for Ukraine, recent losses aside, the team shows promise and is working to find its rhythm, which could bode well for upcoming qualifiers. Maintaining a competitive spirit and focusing on improvement will be key for the players in their remaining games.

The recent survey highlighting players' aversions towards certain NBA teams parallels the ongoing challenges faced by Ukraine's national basketball team in the 2027 World Cup qualifiers. As the team grapples with tough losses, including a recent defeat to Spain, the dynamics of player preferences and performance in international competitions may reveal broader issues within the sport. For a deeper insight into Ukraine's struggles in the qualifiers, see how they fared against Spain in our detailed report here.