http://www.ranker.com/list/worst-teams-in-nba-history/rp59, sports, worst, sports teams, NBA, basketball, other,
1986 Los Angeles Clippers
The most tortured franchise in NBA history had its worst winning percentage (.146) in 1986, posting a 12-70 record. The '86 Clippers averaged 18.2 turnovers-per-game, among the highest in NBA history, and posted a .224 three-point percentage, among the lowest in NBA history.
1999 Vancouver Grizzlies
The Vancouver Grizzlies had struggled from their inception in 1996, but had their best season in 1998, posting a brilliant 19-63 record. The 1999 squad was unable to continue that success, posting a 8-42 record (.160 winning percentage), the worst in franchise history. It was only two years later that the Grizzlies would depart Vancouver for Memphis, leaving behind not a single winning season.
2009 New Jersey Nets
The 2009 New Jersey Nets posted a forgettable 12-70 record, but set numerous records along the way. The Nets became the first team in NBA history to start the season 0-18, the sixth team in NBA history to lose 28 of its first 30 games (tying the worst 30-game record in NBA history), the third team in NBA history to lose 40 of its first 43 games (tying the worst 3-win record in NBA history), and tying the record for worst 50 game record in the history of the three major sports (4-46).
1973 Philadelphia 76ers
The 1973 Philadelphia 76ers were regarded as the worst team in NBA history for 40 years before passing the torch to the 2012 Bobcats. Amid a 9-73 finish were complementary losing streaks of 15, 20, 14 and 13 games. The Sixers had set the NBA record for most wins in a season and the highest winning percentage only six seasons earlier.
1948 Providence Steamrollers
After posting a record of 46-122 (.274) in three seasons, the legendary Providence Steamrollers folded, drifting into the sunset with but a scratch of existence. But the 1947-48 season was by far the worst, as the second-year team went 6-42 (.125 winning percentage) and posted a .274 field goal percentage.
2012 Charlotte Bobcats
In a lockout-shortened 66 game season, the 2012 Charlotte Bobcats posted an abysmal 7-59 record, giving them a win percentage of .106, the worst in NBA history. As if to cement their legacy as the worst ever, the Bobcats closed the season on a 23-game losing streak. The Bobcats' losing continued in the offseason, as the New Orleans Hornets won the draft lottery and starting Point Guard D.J. Augustin departed for the Indiana Pacers.
1998 Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets set numerous unwanted records during this season. They won only eleven games, matching the second-fewest in an 82-game NBA season. After 40 games, the '98 Nuggets were an unthinkably bad 2-38 (winning percentage .050) and the team later posted a 16-game losing streak. The dismal season meant head coach Bill Hanzlik was fired after a single season in charge of the team.
2008 Miami Heat
The Miami Heat had been NBA champions in 2006, but things quickly fell apart. After a disappointing end to the 2007 season, the Heat looked for revenge, but the '08 season turned out to be even more disastrous as they finished with the worst record in the league and equaled the worst record in franchise history. To complicate matters, head coach Pat Riley abandoned ship midway through the season, citing health concerns and leaving Dwyane Wade to shoulder the burden of the catastrophic season alone.
1992 Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks selected Ohio State guard Jim Jackson with the fourth overall pick of the 1992 NBA Draft, but he and owner Donald Carter could not come to terms on a contract for half of his rookie season. Jackson only played 28 games in 1992-93, a year that was also ruined by trades, a coaching change and injuries. The Mavericks started 2–27 and fired head coach Richie Adubato on January 13, replacing him with Gar Heard. The Mavericks came dangerously close to setting the all-time worst record in NBA history. But when Jackson was signed on March 3, the Mavs managed to rally, closing the season with a 7–14 mark, including a staggering two straight wins to end the season. The Mavericks finished the season 11–71, which was the 2nd worst record in NBA history at the time.
2010 Cleveland Cavaliers
If Cavaliers fans ever needed a good season, it was in 2010. After his infamous disappearing act in the 2010 Eastern Conference Finals, LeBron James "took his talents to South Beach," flipping a proverbial middle finger to Cleveland in the process. Unfortunately, the Cavaliers didn't answer the bell, posting a 19-63 record. But what earns the 2010 Cavaliers a spot among the worst teams of all time is their nightmarish 26-game losing streak, the longest in NBA history, during which the majority of their losses came by huge margins.