NBA Franchises Face Costly Roster Mistakes Since 2020

ESPN's Zach Kram has assessed the most damaging roster mistakes made by NBA franchises since 2020, highlighting significant missteps that have altered team trajectories. The Phoenix Suns' trades for Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, costing 12 first-round picks and six swaps, rank as the second-worst decisions, leading to long-term challenges including cap issues and a lack of draft control until 2032. The Golden State Warriors' 2020 draft selection of James Wiseman over future stars like Tyrese Haliburton is deemed their biggest blunder, stalling succession planning despite winning a title without him. The Los Angeles Lakers' errors stem from dismantling their 2020 championship roster by trading away key 3-and-D players and acquiring Russell Westbrook, which disrupted team chemistry and led to diminished playoff success. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves' 2020 trade for D'Angelo Russell, which involved giving up Andrew Wiggins and valuable picks, is seen as a costly move given Russell's underperformance and the success Wiggins found elsewhere. These franchise-altering decisions underscore how critical front office moves are in shaping NBA team fortunes in the 2020s.