10 active NBA players who deserve to win a ring

With Derrick Rose’s retirementthe youngest NBA MVP became another solid player to end his career without a championship. Winning an NBA title ultimately cements a player’s career. However, even some of the best players in the world fail to catch at least one. Here’s a look at 10 active NBA players who deserve to win a ring.

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Chris Paul has been an elite point guard in the NBA for several seasons. Widely regarded as the Point God, CP3 is still capable of facilitating an elite-level offense. However, an NBA title continues to elude the All-Star guard, even if he has joined a string of contenders in recent years.

Although he admitted giving up the pursuit of victory NBA title, Spurs teammate and current NBA Rookie of the Year Victor Vembanyama is ready to wreak havoc in the NBA. Even though the window is tight, it’s pretty certain that Gregg Popovich and the Spurs’ newest duo can still do something.

According to sources, James Harden is leading active player in the NBA for most playoff games without a championship. It used to be Al Horford until recently won the NBA championship with the Boston Celtics. With Harden taking the lead, the former NBA MVP is likely looking for ways to remove himself from the suspect list.

With the Los Angeles Clippers, Harden should be a major contributor to the team, especially with the departure Paul George and Russell Westbrook to go along with the injured Kawhi Leonard. Not only will Harden aim to win his first NBA title, but he must also find a way to lift the Clippers’ curse.

Russell Westbrook

Speaking of the Clippers, it hasn’t been a successful championship chase for the NBA’s triple-double machine, Russell Westbrook. Since leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder, Westbrook has never reached the NBA Finals, including disappointing games with the Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers.

Now with the Denver Nuggets, Westbrook puts himself in solid position to win the title alongside three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.

Damian Lillard

After productive seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, Damian Lillard left NBA fans in awe with his clutch shooting during Dame Time. With several buzzer-beaters and game-winners in the postseason, one can’t help but root for Lillard.

While his departure from the Blazers boosted his title chances, it remains to be seen if his tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks can bear more fruit alongside NBA champion and two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Winning the second NBA Cup in a season it was a good start, but not the end goal.

Jimmy Butler

Jimmy Butler carried the Miami Heat to a pair of trips to the NBA Finals, marking the franchise’s first since the Big Three era. Butler’s impact in the postseason has been huge for the franchise, helping the team reach new heights. After two tries, every NBA fan would like to see Butler win at least one, especially since his championship window is about to close.

However, he will most likely have to win a title with another team, especially after demanding to be traded and then The Heat later suspended Butler for seven games for conduct detrimental to the team.

DeMar DeRozan

Toronto Raptors fans will never forget DeMar DeRozan’s impact on the franchise. Although he provided some outstanding moments on the court, let’s not forget that it was he who paved the way for the Kawhi Leonard trade that led to the Raptors’ first championship sign.

Since then, DeRozan has been left on the outside looking in. The NBA title was elusive for DeRozan, but joined the Sacramento Kings on the rise that could change this year.

Paul George

For several seasons, Paul George has been a fan favorite in Indiana, given how he has fueled an underdog team to several competitive playoff runs. What’s more, George even put together a remarkable comeback trip after suffering a broken leg.

But since leaving the Pacers, George hasn’t lived up to expectations. He played poorly in the postseason, leading to early exits. Now with the Philadelphia 76ers, George is teaming up with NBA MVP Joel Embiid in hopes of winning an NBA title. However, the Sixers are off to a slow start to the 2024-25 season and are struggling just to make the playoffs.

Mike Conley

Often overlooked and underrated, Mike Conley managed to earn an All-Star appearance late in his career. However, it remains to be seen whether the four-time NBA Sportsmanship Award winner can also win an NBA championship.

He was close to a trip to the NBA Finals last year if it hadn’t been Luka Dončić and the Dallas Mavericks. Regardless, with Conley rebounding with the Wolves on the rise, a championship streak is still possible, even if the team is having trouble adjusting after The Wolves traded Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks.

Marcus Smart

With the Boston Celtics claiming the 18th NBA championship banner in 2024, Celtics fans probably have something to feel about Marcus Smart. Smart was a reliable two-way player for the Celtics for several seasons before being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. So Smart couldn’t celebrate with his former Celtics teammates.

With the Grizzlies, Smart is expected to be one of the permanent veterans to lead the team’s growing core. With Ja Morant, Desmond Bain and Jaren Jackson Jr. showing promise, the Grizzlies could be title contenders as early as the 2024-2025 season and are off to a strong start and currently sit third in the Western Conference.

Luka Dončić

With Luka Doncic breaking records and still young, he fits the bill as the next face of the NBA. However, an NBA championship still remains elusive for the Dallas Mavericks superstar. Considering he was pretty close in the 2024 NBA Finals, it’s only a matter of time before Doncic finally wins.