NBA: 3 Bottom-Feeder Teams That Could Be Title Competitors

While this season is a long shot for teams well under .500, the years to come may provide something new for the bottom feeders of the NBA: winning basketball games.

The most prime example of a team jumping from the bottom to the top would be the Oklahoma City Thunder with their rise to playing dominant basketball.

Through smart managing and steady growth of young talent, some of this years' biggest losers could be competing for an NBA title in the next couple of seasons.

New Jersey Nets

For the Nets to become title contenders, they will need Derron Williams on the team. While he hasn't exactly said outright that he wants to be there, the Nets could make it an enticing destination to play basketball.

The first move on their minds will be acquiring Dwight Howard, who has the Nets on his shortlist. The Nets might even become a contender without the addition of Howard.

This year, the team is 8-18, but that is without starting center Brook Lopez. People seem to forget how big of an impact Lopez has on the team. With him and Kris Humphries down low, the Nets' ability to control rebounds is great.

A solid frontcourt can go a long way come playoff time, and, if they can add a complementary wing player to run with Williams, this team could become a threat in the Eastern conference.  

Toronto Raptors

When the Raptors selected Andrea Bargnani No. 1 overall in the 2006 NBA draft, they knew it would take some time for the 7'0" Italian center to get acclimated. Now in his sixth season, it seems like Bargnani has a good feel of how to succeed in the NBA.

In the 13 games where Bargnani has been healthy this season, he is averaging 23.5 points per game, and the team is 6-7. The Raptors are 8-18 this season, in part due to the injuries which have kept Bargnani off the court.

Demar Derozan is having an off season, but he proved in the 2010 campaign that he can play, averaging 17.2 points per game while starting all 82 for the Raptors.

The Raptors have young talent, which they can use to trade for a solid third option on the offensive side of the ball. If they can reel in one more solid starter, the Raptors could be a dangerous team to see in the playoffs in the coming years.

Sacramento Kings

The Kings have a lot of growing up to do—both in age and maturity. Right now, they are one of the most immature teams in the league, and it shows via inconsistent play.

The Kings are loaded with talent in the starting lineup and even have a solid group of guys coming off the bench.

Tyreke Evans and Marcus Thornton are both guards who can play the point and shooting guard position. The two combine to average 34.6 points per game and will soon be one of the most dangerous guard duos in the NBA.

Along with the solid backcourt comes Jimmer Fredette, who is instant offense coming off the bench.

The frontcourt is also strong, but it is led by the least mature of all—DeMarcus Cousins. If the Kings learn how to manage Cousins' immature ways, the guy will be a beast down low. He already averages 11.6 rebounds per game and is getting better.

The Kings have some decisions to make on which players they are keeping for the future, but this team could be in the playoffs as early as next season.