With the 2024-25 NBA season just
days away, the Western Conference is locked, loaded, and ready for
battle. The offseason drama has settled, rosters are finalized, and
every team is gearing up for what promises to be a fierce and
competitive race. From reigning contenders to rising underdogs, the
West is stacked with talent and ambition. Let’s break down
the top 15 teams in the West as we head into this thrilling new season—no
frills, just what you need to know.
- Minnesota
Timberwolves
The Timberwolves are turning a new page after
trading away longtime cornerstone Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius
Randle and Donte DiVincenzo and are now fully embracing Anthony
Edwards as the franchise cornerstone. The T-Wolves’ mix of young
talent and veteran leadership gives them a balanced roster around
Edwards. Rudy Gobert remains a defensive anchor as a 4-time DPOY,
Edwards is primed for a superstar leap, and if the supporting cast,
including Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid, steps up, the Wolves could
be ready to take the top spot in the West. - Oklahoma City
Thunder
The Thunder’s rebuild is no longer a long-term
project; they’re ready to compete now. However, due to Isaiah
Hartenstein’s injury to start the season, we’re placing the Thunder
at no.2 for now. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is already an All-NBA
guard and arguably a top 5 player in the league. Chet Holmgren and
Jalen Williams figure out to be the dynamic inside-out duo around
SGA. Add in Hartenstein and Alex Caruso, the two new acquisitions
this offseason with their capable role players Lu Dort, Cason
Wallace, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe, this young core is as
versatile as it is exciting. OKC’s depth and versatility on both
ends of the floor could propel them into serious title
contention. - Phoenix Suns
The Suns have loaded up for a title run, and
with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal leading the
charge, Phoenix has one of the most dangerous offensive trios in
the league. They have added their most significant hole which is
the PG spot with a solid pick up in Tyus Jones, and they have one
of the best offensive coaches in the league in Mike Budenholzer.
The Suns’ questions lie in their depth and health, but if they can
manage those concerns, they’re built for a championship push. Their
offensive firepower is unmatched, and if they click, the Suns will
be a team no one wants to face. - Memphis
Grizzlies
Memphis has weathered their offseason storms
and enters the season with a gritty identity intact. Ja Morant is
back after his injury and suspension last year and he will now play
with last season’s addition Marcus Smart. Together with the
continued growth of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane, the
Grizzlies are primed to be competitive and come back from their
prime two seasons ago where they won 50+ games. Memphis’ defensive
dominance paired with offensive firepower ensures they can be one
of the top teams in the West with a deep bench with solid role
players. - Denver
Nuggets
After
falling short to Minnesota in 7 games last playoffs, the Nuggets
will enter the season with their core mostly intact. Nikola Jokić
remains the most dominant center and the best player in the game.
With Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. healthy, the Nuggets are
poised for another deep run. But perhaps their biggest loss this
season was losing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to free agency and that
might be a hit so they’re currently ranked at no.5 to start the
year. It could be a lot to ask for young players like Christian
Braun or Julian Strawther to fill the void left by KCP, so it will
be interesting to see how Denver handles his loss this
season. - Dallas
Mavericks
Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving experiment is back
after a successful season last year, where Dallas entered the NBA
Finals for the first time since 2011 – when they won the title. The
two stars can mesh to create one of the league’s most potent
offenses and with the continued internal development of young
players like Dereck Lively, the Mavs can build on that Finals
appearance. With newcomer Klay Thompson set to provide historic
spacing for their dynamic duo, Dallas has the talent to climb the
standings and challenge the top teams in the West. - New Orleans
Pelicans
The Pelicans’ fate will always hinge on Zion
Williamson’s health. When Zion plays, New Orleans is a force to be
reckoned with. Now paired with newly-acquired point guard Dejounte
Murray, they have a balanced attack capable of competing with any
team in the conference with Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum still on
the fold. If Zion stays on the floor, the Pelicans could find
themselves rising up the ranks, but his availability remains the
biggest X-factor. - Golden State
Warriors
The Warriors are clinging to their championship
window with Stephen Curry still playing at an elite level. The
addition of capable veterans in Kyle Anderson, Buddy Hield, and
DeAnthony Melton gives them depth and personnel that can play in
their offense to surround the core of Curry and Draymond Green for
their foundation. Health and age are concerns, but if their
veterans stay intact, Golden State can’t be counted
out. - Sacramento
Kings
The Kings struggled a bit last season after
making their long-awaited playoff return two seasons ago, and
they’re looking to build on that momentum. They have signed DeMar
DeRozan and he should bring a new wrinkle to their motion and
three-hunting offense. DeRozan’s mid range ability should be a
welcome addition to Sacramento’s offense. De’Aaron Fox and Domantas
Sabonis still lead an explosive offense, but defense remains a
question mark. Sacramento’s high-flying, fast-paced style makes
them a regular-season juggernaut, but they’ll need to tighten up
defensively if they want to make a deep playoff run. - Los Angeles
Lakers
The Lakers are counting on LeBron James and
Anthony Davis staying healthy for a full season. With the front
office standing pat on making moves this offseason, the Lakers’
success will hinge on their superstar duo. If LeBron and AD can
avoid injury, Los Angeles will be a formidable playoff team, but
health is always a looming concern with this group. - Houston
Rockets
The Rockets added veterans Fred VanVleet and
Dillon Brooks to guide their young core last season and this season
could be the time for them to step up. They finished strong last
year behind defensive minded coach Ime Udoka and the result could
be a team that surprises many. Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun have
star potential, and younger players Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen
Thompson add even more excitement. The Rockets also drafted Reed
Sheppard with the 3rd pick and Houston is hoping to lay the
foundation for success and could push for a Play-In spot this
season. - San Antonio Spurs
Victor Wembanyama enters his second season, and
the Spurs are fully embracing their rebuild around the budding
star. While Wembanyama showed flashes of brilliance as a rookie,
San Antonio is still in the development phase. But with the
addition of Chris Paul, the Spurs now have a capable PG to feed
Wemby and the other guys, possibly unlocking a new level to their
games. With their young core, the Spurs may not be a playoff team
yet, but their future looks incredibly bright with Wembanyama
leading the way. - Los Angeles
Clippers
The Clippers’ fortunes rest on the health of
Kawhi Leonard—again. After losing Paul George for nothing, Leonard
is left to fend LA off by himself in their new arena at Intuit
Dome. Gone are the days when LA has the talent to compete with
anyone as they’re just but a shell of themselves. Leading the way
for the injured Leonard will be a 34-year-old James Harden and that
might be too much to ask of the aging superstar. However, if Kawhi
can return healthy and he can avoid the injury bug, the Clippers
will be in the playoff mix, but that’s a big “if” for this
squad. - Portland Trail
Blazers
With Damian Lillard long gone, the Blazers will
fully commit another season to their rebuild. Scoot Henderson,
Anfernee Simons, and Shaedon Sharpe form a promising young core,
but Portland will likely spend this season focusing on player
development. While they won’t be in playoff contention, the Blazers
are positioning themselves well for the future, with an eye on
growth and improvement. - Utah jazz
The Jazz are continuing their rebuild, with
Lauri Markkanen emerging as a cornerstone player. While they have
some intriguing young pieces like Taylor Hendricks and Keyonte
George, Utah isn’t ready to compete just yet. This season will be
about development and finding which young players can be part of
their long-term plans. The Jazz may not win many games this year,
but they’re building toward a brighter future.
