NBA Hope Index: How far is each team from a ring heading into 2017-18?

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WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 12: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards reacts after hitting the game-winning three-point basket in their 92-91 win over the Boston Celtics during Game Six of the NBA Eastern Conference Semi-Finals at Verizon Center on May 12, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

13. Washington Wizards

Following their 2-8 start to the 2016-17 season, the Washington Wizards finished out the regular season as the best team in the Eastern Conference. They had a superstar in John Wall who finally put it all together for a full season. Fans were somewhat giddy heading into the playoffs.

Yet as we sit here today, the Washington professional basketball streak of not making it past the second round of the playoffs has extended to nearly forty years.

There is a sense that the front office will not be able to take what is currently a really good team to the next level of greatness, and it isn’t just because the team is capped out for foreseeable future. They are one of those teams that you can count on to make the uninspired move (see: Ian Mahinmi).

Most would say this is too high for them. John Wall would say otherwise. There are half dozen players who we know can be the best player on a championship team, and then there are the half dozen guys fighting to get into that group. Wall is in that bunch, and there’s no indication he’s done getting better.

If he makes one more leap, and Beal and Porter – neither of whom are 25 yet – continue to improve, they’re a player away from really competing for a ring.

Path to Glory: The big three all get better, Oubre looks competent on both ends, and they are able to package him, Markieff Morris, Marcin Gortat and a future first for Boogie Cousins and Omer Asik’s cadaver prior to the trade deadline. The Wiz fall short this season but get a vet on the cheap next summer and become the first team to wear the Eastern crown in the post-LeBron era.

Group 4: Young Teams with Hope

The toughest thing to acquire in the NBA is a legitimate young core around which you can start to set up the rest of your team. The following organizations aren’t ready to win just yet, but they’ve gotten the hard part out of the way (or in one team’s case, reason to believe the summer ahead is going to be very, very fruitful).

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