In a time where free agency is sought after and trade requests are rampant, let’s look at teams who have pretty much kept their core intact.

I will rank them based on number of tenured players. I will count a player as tenured with the team if he’ll be playing his 5th season with the team in the upcoming 2023-24 season. That’s the number in the parentheses – their n^th year with the team this season.

If a player hasn’t played in a season due to injury or whatever reason, the year will count as a year of service for the team as long as they are in the roster. Embiid was drafted in 2014 but missed playing a game in his first two seasons, but those two seasons would count since he’s been rehabbing and working out with team personnel and in team facility. Jokic was also drafted in 2014 but didn’t join the team until 2015. Him missing the 2014-15 season would not count in his years of service since during that season he was playing in Europe and technically not part of the Nuggets roster yet.

 

Here is the complete list:

Team Players
SIX
LA Clippers Ivica Zubac (6), Amir Coffey (5), Paul George (5), Kawhi Leonard (5), Terance Mann (5), Marcus Morris (5)
FIVE
Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry (15), Klay Thompson (13), Draymond Green (12), Kevon Looney (9), Andrew Wiggins (5)
Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo (11), Khris Middleton (11), Pat Connaughton (6), Brook Lopez (6), Thanasis Antetokounmpo (5)
FOUR
Dallas Mavericks Dwight Powell (10), Maxi Kleber (7), Luka Doncic (6), Tim Hardaway Jr. (6)
Denver Nuggets Nikola Jokic (9), Jamal Murray (8), Michael Porter Jr. (6), Vlatko Cancar (5)
Miami Heat Bam Adebayo (7), Duncan Robinson (6), Jimmy Butler (5), Tyler Herro (5)
Charlotte Hornets Miles Bridges (6), Cody Martin (5), Terry Rozier (5), P.J. Washington (5)
Memphis Grizzlies Jaren Jackson Jr. (6), Brandon Clarke (5), John Konchar (5), Ja Morant (5)
THREE
Philadelphia 76ers Joel Embiid (10), Furkan Korkmaz (7), Tobias Harris (6)
Minnesota Timberwolves Karl-Anthony Towns (9), Jordan McLaughlin (5), Naz Reid (5)
Toronto Raptors Pascal Siakam (8), OG Anunoby (7), Chris Boucher (6)
New York Knicks Mitchell Robinson (6), RJ Barrett (5), Julius Randle (5)
TWO
Indiana Pacers Myles Turner (9), T.J. McConnell (5)
Boston Celtics Jaylen Brown (8), Jayson Tatum (7)
Sacramento Kings De’Aaron Fox (7), Harrison Barnes (6)
Chicago Bulls Zach LaVine (7), Coby White (5)
Orlando Magic Jonathan Isaac (7), Markelle Fultz (5)
Atlanta Hawks Trae Young (6), De’Andre Hunter (5)
Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James (6), Anthony Davis (5)
Cleveland Cavaliers Darius Garland (5), Dean Wade (5)
New Orleans Pelicans Brandon Ingram (5), Zion Williamson (5)
Oklahoma City Thunder Luguentz Dort (5), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (5)
ONE
Phoenix Suns Devin Booker (9)
Portland Trail Blazers Anfernee Simons (6)
Brooklyn Nets Nic Claxton (5)
San Antonio Spurs Keldon Johnson (5)
Utah Jazz Jordan Clarkson (5)
ZERO
Detroit Pistons
Houston Rockets
Washington Wizards

 

60% of the teams in the league have only kept two players or less within the last 5 years. I think it’s a testament to player movement in this era.

The Clippers have more tenured players in their team. But in terms of keeping a core intact for a long period of time, that’s the Warriors, with the Bucks coming in second.

The Celtics have broken up their core in this offseason. If Mrs. Smart named Marcus as Jayden, he may have still been with the team.