Ranking 50 Current NBA Players Missing a Championship Ring

The top 50 players in the NBA without a championship ring is a list with some serious talent on it.

While some of these guys are still extraordinarily young and have plenty of time to climb to the top, it puts into perspective just how difficult winning a ring can be for a plethora of athletes.

There have been several great players before these guys who failed to capture a championship during their playing days, and there will undoubtedly be several after.

50. Baron Davis, PG Cleveland

Davis is going to have a tough time securing a ring at this stage in his career unless he’s dealt to a contending club.

He’s just not the same player that we saw from him in his earlier days, but that doesn’t mean he’s incapable of contributing to a team with the right mix on the roster.

49. Al Jefferson, C Utah

Utah is getting a lot better, and it’s going largely unnoticed. Jefferson definitely looked like the player he was before his gruesome knee injury.

The team has some incredible size down low and is attempting to improve the perimeter attack, but Jefferson is still going to need some help for the Jazz to even be relevant in a stacked Western Conference at this time.

48. O.J. Mayo, SG Memphis

Mayo may have to move on from Memphis in the pursuit of a championship, as his future with the team is kind of uncertain after a tumultuous 2010-111 campaign.

Having said that, he can certainly add value to any club vying for a title, as his scoring prowess is simply undeniable.

47. Jrue Holiday, PG Philadelphia

Holiday has one of the most promising futures of any young point guard currently in the NBA, but the Sixers are still a work in progress.

The team is going to need a legitimate presence in the middle before anyone will seriously consider the team ready to contend, and it’s unlikely that Philadelphia is going to let Holiday go anywhere else anytime soon.

46. Serge Ibaka, PF Oklahoma City

Ibaka is an absolute block machine, and he’s primed to take another big step forward for Oklahoma City in 2011-12.

With Durant and Westbrook leading the way, Ibaka is quickly asserting himself as a strong contributor for a Thunder team that’s going to contend for the foreseeable future.

45. Roy Hibbert, C Indiana

Hibbert’s potential is absolutely through the roof to be a dominant center in the league, and the Pacers are likely to make him a major piece of the plan for the future.

The Pacers are set up to take a lot of people by surprise, and the team could be even more dangerous if a free agent or two gets added to the mix.

44. Vince Carter, SG Phoenix

It’s pretty incredible that Carter hasn’t been able to ascertain a ring during his career, and it’ll be interesting to see where he goes next.

He’s expected to be bought out of his current contract with Phoenix once the lockout lifts, and it’s very possible that he goes to a contender in the hopes of landing a championship.

43. Kyle Lowry, PG Houston

Lowry finally got his long overdue attention after being anointed the starter for Houston last season, and his performance was certainly no fluke.

He can score, pass and defend with emphasis on the perimeter, but he’s going to need some help from his Rockets teammates in order to contend for a crown.

42. David Lee, PF Golden State

Lee disappointed some during his first season in the Bay Area, but he was actually fairly solid for the Warriors.

As currently constructed, Golden State has an intriguing group of talent on the roster, but the team isn’t in championship contending mode quite yet.

41. John Wall, PG Washington

Wall has a ridiculous amount of time to secure a championship, and it’s evident that he can lead a team from the point guard position.

He has elite speed and unbelievable court vision, and it really wouldn’t be surprising if Washington turned it around in a hurry from previous seasons.

40. Jason Richardson, SG Free Agent

Richardson is another veteran who has said that winning is more important than money at this stage in his career, and there are a number of teams that could use his services.

He could very well be the missing link in Chicago that helps the team get over the hump, but his chances at a ring will depend where he lands next.

39. Danilo Gallinari, SF Denver

Gallinari has a lot of time left in his career to get something done, and the Nuggets are quickly improving following his arrival.

There’s no doubt that he’s shown why he was drafted so high, and he’s quickly establishing himself as a solid offensive option.

38. Antawn Jamison, PF Cleveland

Jamison’s contributions have often been overlooked, but he’s still contributing on the offensive end in a big way as his career has progressed.

He’s going to have to take a serious pay decrease following his current deal to land with a competitor, but in the pursuit of a championship, that definitely is not out of the realm of possibilities.

37. Emeka Okafor, C New Orleans

Okafor really hasn’t developed an offensive game since being drafted, but that hasn’t detracted from the value he can provide to a club.

For any championship hopeful team that’s lacking a defensive presence in the middle, Okafor would represent a serious boost, but he’s certainly not going to contend for a championship in New Orleans.

36. Luis Scola, PF Houston

Scola’s chances at a title are dwindling as he gets older, and the Rockets aren’t exactly loaded up for a prime run to the top.

Having said that, anything is possible, and Scola has proven that he can certainly contribute on the low block for any competitive team that needs help at the position.

35. Mike Conley, PG Memphis

Conley had a lot of people raising eyebrows after his five-year, $45 million extension with the Grizzlies at the onset of last season, but he quickly displayed his improvement.

Memphis is one of the most promising teams currently in the league, but it’s not going to be easy for the club to knock off the current favorites.

34. Brook Lopez, C New Jersey

Lopez has a very promising future ahead of him if he can shed his rebounding woes, but there aren’t many centers that can score 20 points on a nightly basis.

When considering his offensive game and ability to be a force around the rim on the defensive end, he could absolutely contribute to a team that’s looking to secure a championship.

33. Kevin Martin, SG Houston

Martin never gets a lot of love in the public eye, but he’s proven to be a legitimate scorer and a valuable piece to the puzzle.

Health is always an issue for Martin, and he’s not going to carry a team by himself, but he can certainly win a ring if the proper pieces surround him on a roster.

32. Chris Kaman, C Los Angeles Clippers

Kaman often gets glossed over as one of the more successful centers in the league, but it’s hard to find a big man with his skill size.

He’s only got one year left on his deal with the Clippers, and even if the team doesn’t trade him, he’s likely to move on following his current deal considering DeAndre Jordan is lurking in the wings.

31. Marc Gasol, C Memphis

Gasol is another player who has an incredibly bright future ahead of him, but his championship chances highly depend on where he’s playing.

As an unrestricted free agent, there will be plenty of teams vying for his services, but he’s expressed a clear desire to remain with the club.

30. Ty Lawson, PG Denver

Lawson is clearly the point guard of the future for the Denver Nuggets, and this is really a team that people should be playing close attention to moving forward.

He’s got a lot to love about his style of play, but he certainly won’t be able to capture a championship ring on his own accord.

29. Tyreke Evans, PG Sacramento

Evans is an absolute beast on the hardwood, and the Kings should really surprise a lot of people with the unbelievably talented core on the roster.

If Sacramento can add valuable veterans to the fold and live up to the potential on the team, Evans could certainly have a chance at a championship a lot sooner than most think.

28. Danny Granger, SF Indiana

Granger and the Pacers are definitely on the rise, but it’s too early to declare the club a serious championship competitor at this point.

There’s a lot to like about his game, but he’s going to have to step up and be the leader of this group before the Pacers are going to blow by any of the favorite teams atop the standings.

27. Luol Deng, SF Chicago

Deng really saw his stock drop around the league prior to last season, but he displayed that there’s plenty to love about his game during the season.

The Bulls aren’t far off from competing for a championship, and Deng will be instrumental in the quest should the team hope to reach the final round in the not so distant future.

26. Andre Iguodala, SF Philadelphia

Iguodala is another player who draws the scrutiny of some because of his contract, but he’s certainly a valuable contributor.

However, the Sixers are in a tough spot with such a youthful core and several other Eastern Conference clubs ahead in the standings, so it’s entirely possible that Iguodala’s best chance at a ring comes outside of Philly.

25. Rudy Gay, SF Memphis

Gay was a forgotten man during the magical Memphis postseason run, but he’s certainly an important piece to the puzzle.

The Grizzlies showed off their promising future during the 2011 playoffs, and after signing a maximum contract extension with the club, the two sides are likely going to be together for the foreseeable future.

24. David West, PF Free Agent

West is set to test free agency after coming off of reconstructive knee surgery, a sign he’s clearly looking to win at a higher level.

It will be interesting to see where he ultimately signs, as there’s no doubt that his potential to impact a championship-hopeful lineup is immense.

23. LaMarcus Aldridge, PF Portland

Aldridge really turned some heads last season with his impressive play for the Trail Blazers, and the team is loaded with some intriguing talent.

If (and only if) everyone on this team could remain healthy simultaneously, there would be a lot more chatter about this club’s potential to come out of the Western Conference.

22. Eric Gordon, SG Los Angeles Clippers

Gordon seriously doesn’t get talked about enough considering just how talented he is, and his future is going to surprise a lot of people around the league.

There’s an enormous amount of room for growth in Los Angeles with such a young club, and Gordon should have no trouble asserting himself as one of the league’s most promising players.

21. Stephen Curry, PG Golden State

The future of the Warriors is undoubtedly in the hands of Curry, and he has really proven his critics wrong since entering the league.

With his ability to serve as a guard who can really do it all, Curry could be able to compete for a ring at some point in his career assuming he’s playing alongside the right people.

20. Carlos Boozer, PF Chicago

Boozer has a solid chance at increased success when it matters most now that he’s with the Bulls, but it’s not as if the team is without competition at the top.

Despite some serious criticism during his first year in Chicago, there’s no doubting that he adds serious value to the team’s front court.

19. Zach Randolph, PF Memphis

Randolph is a prime piece on a rapidly improving Memphis club, and the future of this team is one that’s certainly promising.

For a power forward that was often characterized as undersized and overweight, Randolph certainly has the Grizzlies going in the right direction.

18. Kevin Love, PF Minnesota

Love is a restricted free agent in 2012, but it’s highly doubtful that David Kahn is going to let him go anywhere.

Should he sign a long-term deal in Minnesota, the roster is going to have to improve in a serious hurry for Love to have a chance at a ring during the early stages of his career.

17. Chris Bosh, PF Miami

Bosh went to Miami to join up with Wade and James to win a championship ring, but the threesome came up a little short in their first season together.

There’s no doubt that there could be a ring in his future, but he’s going to have to be more aggressive should he look to assert himself as a dominant power forward in the league.

16. Monta Ellis, SG Golden State

Ellis doesn’t really get a lot of love because the appreciation for pure scorers has seemingly dissipated, but it’s about time that he does.

He’s got an incredible amount of talent, but it’s going to be tough for him to win a championship with Golden State as the team is currently put together.

15. Nene, PF/C Free Agent

Nene has spent his entire career with the Nuggets, but now he’s identified a desire to win as a major component to his free agent plans.

There’s no doubt that a number of competitive teams would like to acquire his services, and it will be interesting to see where he goes.

14. Al Horford, PF/C Atlanta

Horford is another player who certainly has an immense amount of talent, but it may very well take some time for him to get a chance at a championship.

The big man agreed to a five-year, $60 million extension with the Hawks at the beginning of last season, and it’s going to be tough for them to emerge as top dog in the conference.

13. Josh Smith, PF Atlanta

Smith’s athleticism and versatility are often overlooked on a Hawks team that seems to be stuck in the middle, but he could very well be moving to a different destination in the near future.

He’s been rumored to be on the block, and it’s a possibility that his best chance to claim a championship ring could come outside of Atlanta.

12. Blake Griffin, PF Los Angeles Clippers

Griffin took the league by storm during his electric  rookie campaign, and he’s really inspired many to feel good about the future of the franchise.

If the team can keep he and Eric Gordon together for the long-term, there is a lot of potential for this team to enjoy immense success in the future.

11. Russell Westbrook, PG Oklahoma City

Westbrook drew a lot of scrutiny for his style of play down the stretch for Oklahoma City, but he’s still learning how to play the point guard position.

There’s plenty of time for Westbrook to hone his skills and continue to develop as a player, and assuming he stays with the Thunder long-term, the team is going to be extremely dangerous in the future.

10. Joe Johnson, SG Atlanta

Johnson garners a lot of scrutiny because there are a good majority of observers that feel that he’s overpaid.

However, it’s pretty clear that he’s got a boatload of talent to his game, but the Hawks are going to have a tough time overthrowing the favored teams at the top of the Eastern Conference as the club is currently constructed.

9. Amar'e Stoudemire, PF New York

Stoudemire got his big-time deal from the Knicks after hitting free agency, and now he’s got to deliver on his $20 million price tag.

There’s a lot of time left for Stoudemire to capture the ring, and fortunately, he won’t have to do it alone with Carmelo Anthony now at his side.

8. Deron Williams, PG New Jersey

Williams wants to wait until the Nets make a few more moves before he considers signing an extension with the team, as he really needs to contemplate what’s best for his career.

He’s got an elite skill set at the point guard position, and there are a number of competitive clubs that know exactly that.

7. Derrick Rose, PG Chicago

Rose has plenty of time to fulfill his conquest to claim at least one ring, and his MVP season is evidence that he’s certainly on the right path.

If the Bulls can add the right piece(s) alongside him moving forward, we could be talking about a Chicago squad that’s going to challenge for multiple championships in the near future.

6. Steve Nash, PG Phoenix

Nash has played his heart out over the course of his career, and it’s really a shame that he doesn’t have a ring to add to his collection.

If he’s adamant about finishing his career in Phoenix, it’s probable that he’ll retire without one, as it’s clear that the club is in re-building mode.

5. Chris Paul, PG New Orleans

Paul’s failure to secure a ring thus far is largely a product of the team that he’s spent his entire career with, as there’s no doubt he’s a championship-caliber point guard.

It will be interesting to see how Paul’s NBA future takes shape considering his impending free agency in the summer of 2012.

4. Carmelo Anthony, SF New York

Anthony came to New York with a desire to win a ring under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, and he’s definitely going to have to achieve that to arrive at the next level.

He hasn’t had a ton of postseason success thus far in his career, and he’s going to have to prove that his game isn’t just cut out for the regular season.

3. Dwight Howard, C Orlando

Howard has identified his desire to win at the highest on a repetitive basis when discussing a potential contract extension with Orlando, and he knows he won’t be viewed as one of the all-time great players until he gets a ring.

It’s important for Howard to prove that he can garner an NBA championship; otherwise, he’ll have no chance of going down in the record books as one of the most dominant centers ever.

2. Kevin Durant, SF Oklahoma City

Durant just celebrated his 23rd birthday last week, so there will be plenty of time for him to rise to the top.

With the way that the Thunder are structured, it really wouldn’t be surprising to see him ascertain a ring sooner rather than later, and it’s scary to think about how prolific his future could be.

1. LeBron James, SF Miami

You knew he was going to be first on this list.

James won’t be able to capture the public until he begins to win championships, and it won’t take just one for him to come out on top.

Fortunately for James, he's still got plenty of time to achieve success at the highest level, and his supporting cast is one of the best in the business.