The Western Conference will again be a gauntlet this season with the Portland Trail Blazers likely scraping for every win they can muster. Unlike the past few seasons, it seems the franchise is putting its late-season tank jobs in the rear-view mirror, leaning into winning basketball in the hope it returns to the NBA Playoffs.
The playing group has been fortified by veteran guard Jrue Holiday and little-known Chinese big Yang Hansen. The existing names are still largely young but improving as we saw
late last season, achieving a 36-46 record and the 12th seed after a less-than-dreadful start.
It appears the hope is that if they can can open the 2025-26 campaign a little more competitively, the Blazers have a chance at slightly better positioning come next April.
Today we look at the Western Conference, diving the 15 teams into similarly talented groups.
Contenders
The Larry O’Brien trophy is within reach.
Oklahoma City Thunder
We have no reason to think the reigning champions won’t be the conference’s toughest opponent this season. Somehow they got better, if only via the fitness of sophomore Nikola Topic and the internal growth that should occur with this still-young group.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets gave up pennies on the dollar to secure Kevin Durant who, despite turning 37 later this month, should provide that added offensive punch the Texas team needs to take that next step. I expect big things in Houston this season.
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets have stealthily had a successful offseason, adding Cam Johnson, Bruce Brown, Jonas Valanciunas and Tim Hardaway Jr. With Nikola Jokic still a top-two player, it’ll be up to Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun to be the difference come the NBA Playoffs.
Vying for Homecourt
The talent is there but things will have to go right for them to reach the pinnacle.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Western Conference finalists the past two years, the Wolves got a little worse following the departure of Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Positively, they brought back Julius Randle and Naz Reid and should expect continued growth from franchise star Anthony Edwards.
Los Angeles Clippers
Despite the recent controversy surrounding Kawhi Leonard, we can’t forget that like the Nuggets, the Clippers enjoyed a decent offseason. Despite parting with Norman Powell, they added Bradley Beal, John Collins and Brook Lopez while retaining the depth and experience to remain competitive.
San Antonio Spurs
Victor Wembanyama’s third year could be the campaign he stamps his dominance on the league. The Frenchman will have had a full offseason alongside, De’Aaron Fox while working closely with Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle and number two overall pick Dylan Harper.
Play-In Bound
Talented rosters with glaring flaws.
Los Angeles Lakers
With LeBron James pushing 41, this is well and truly Luke Doncic’s team. I just don’t think there’s enough around the Slovenian. Austin Reaves could be merely Anfernee Simons in a bigger market and I’m not sure they’ve got anything else they can rely on, cough, cough, Deandre Ayton.
Golden State Warriors
If their best move of the offseason is bringing in a 39-year-old Al Horford this team is severely limited. Zimmer frames may be required for the still-effective core of Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler but there’s not a lot else to get excited about.
Play-In Chance
Franchises fighting for relevance.
Memphis Grizzlies
Desmond Bane is gone, Ja Morant is far from reliable and Jaren Jackson Jr is injured again. We wait to see what Cedric Coward is and Ty Jerome might have sneakily been the pickup of the summer but I’m not sure they get much further than the Play-In.
Dallas Mavericks
Cooper Flagg was a gift for a franchise destined for mediocrity before the NBA Lottery. We wait on the health of Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson and Kyrie Irving. I like Max Christie and Derek Lively but this team makes little sense right now.
Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers are betting on internal growth and the additions of Jrue Holiday and Yang Hansen. As I wrote, last week, the Blazers’ ceiling is a Play-In appearance and they’ll come close if fitness is their friend. The problem is there are three, maybe four, other teams in a similar position.
Phoenix Suns
Though still burdened by Bradley Beal’s deal, the Suns are trying to start fresh with Devin Booker again leading the rebuild. Phoenix might win a game or two against the odds, but it’s without serious firepower or depth to make any real noise.
Sacramento Kings
It really is sad to think the Kings had both Tyrese Haliburton and De’Aaron Fox not long ago, especially they’ve been left with Dennis Schroder and Zach LaVine. Keegan Murray is a nice prospect and Domantas Sabonis is still an above-average offensive big, but the Kings have little to be excited about.
Lottery Lot
Waiting for ping pong balls.
New Orleans Pelicans
After questionable decisions on NBA Draft Night, the Pelicans spend another season relying on the health of Zion Williamson. They added Jordan Poole and Kevon Looney and a group of rookies but nothing worthy of boosting this franchise’s chances this season.
Utah Jazz
The Jazz have engineered this team to ensure more losses than wins. Ace Bailey could be interesting but it appears the Salt Lake City franchise has their sites set on the 2026 NBA Draft. If they don’t finish 15th in the conference, I’d be surprised.
Conclusion
There won’t be many easy nights in the Western Conference this season and the Blazers will likely find themselves mired in a fight for the last Play-In spot. Injuries will always be a factor but assuming all teams are as relatively healthy as they are now, there are three standout franchises, Thunder, Rockets and Nuggets, as we speak.
The Timberwolves, Clippers and Spurs probably all believe they’re worthy of the above group but there’s too much doubt for their promotion just yet. The Lakers and Warriors are, in my mind, middling teams with serious liabilities, whether it be depth in Los Angeles or age in San Francisco.
The Blazers will battle with the Mavericks, Grizzlies, Suns and Kings for that final Play-In Spot with the Pelicans and Jazz making up the numbers carrying less-than-competitive playing groups.
