2024-2025 Western Conference Season Preview: Ranking Teams, Key Moves, and Predictions

ANAHEIM, CA OCTOBER 5, 2024

The 2024-2025 NBA season is upon us, and with less than a month until tip-off, Western Conference teams are finalizing their rosters and making final preparations. Notable trades and free-agent signings over the offseason have reshaped the conference, while young talent from the draft looks to make an impact.

In this post, we’ll focus on predictions for where each Western Conference team is likely to rank by the end of the regular season and how their performance could play out. We’ll analyze key factors like offseason acquisitions, roster depth, and team chemistry to assess their potential. From top contenders aiming for the Larry O’Brien trophy to teams looking to tank for prospect Cooper Flagg, this breakdown will offer insights into how the Western Conference season might unfold.

1. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (63-19)

This should be the easiest placement in these rankings by far. OKC should easily dominate the Western Conference yet again after finishing last year as the top seed and doing nothing but significantly improving this offseason. The team added Alex Caruso for Josh Giddey in a 1-for-1 deal, which was a masterclass steal for OKC. Already improving with one trade to help enhance the roster's defense. Also, signing Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency just elevates this young roster to a whole new level and should guarantee the top seed once again, with the young stars in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams still developing and improving every year. The team chemistry is already there and is only getting better with time.

2. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (58-24)

Are we in for an Anthony Edwards MVP-caliber season? Yes, we are. The Timberwolves are looking to run it back with a new look. Adding Rob Dillingham into the mix via the NBA draft and trading Karl-Anthony Towns for Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle, the Timberwolves are set to make another deep run into the playoffs and finish as a top-3 seed. With Edwards coming off a Gold Olympic run with Team USA and Rudy Gobert coming off a Silver Olympic run, there is no reason they should slow down and not make a run for a title. Although Randle's health is a concern, he is just as good a player as KAT and could help this roster. DiVincenzo adds much-needed depth after losing Monte Morris in free agency as well.

3. DALLAS MAVERICKS (55-27)

The Mavericks are simply better going into the new season. With the addition of Klay Thompson, the team improves significantly, and they should be a top 5 offense in the NBA next season. Not only that, the team is looking forward to a full season of PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford. Both players improved the roster around the trade deadline last season and were big pieces in getting the Mavericks to the NBA Finals. This should easily drive them to be a top seed in the Western Conference. Not to mention Luka Doncic, who should have been the league's MVP last season, is only improving and should mesh well with more experience alongside Kyrie Irving and now Klay Thompson.

4. DENVER NUGGETS (53-29)

The Denver Nuggets aren't in the best position. They are already down their 2024 first-round pick DaRon Holmes to an Achilles injury, trading away Reggie Jackson for draft capital and letting Kentavious Caldwell-Pope walk in free agency. But they acquired Russell Westbrook, who should be a great piece for them off the bench as their sixth man. The roster overall continues to stay well-rounded but not as strong losing KCP. The starting five in Murray, Braun, Porter Jr., Gordon, and Jokic is good, but not as great, with Christian Braun being promoted into the starting rotation.

5. PHOENIX SUNS (53-29)

The Phoenix Suns are in a tight spot. This should be the last season we see the trio of Beal, Booker, and Durant. With Bradley Beal regressing and the contracts of the trio reaching over $150 million a season in the following years, this should be an all-in season for Phoenix. The Suns have improved this past off-season, acquiring Mason Plumlee, Monte Morris, and Tyus Jones as serious bench depth. The Suns also signed head coach Mike Budenholzer, who will help this team run more efficiently after recently coaching the Milwaukee Bucks and being the head coach of the 2021 champions. The roster is deeper and should have some good momentum following Kevin Durant and Devin Booker's US Olympic Gold.

6. SACRAMENTO KINGS (51-27)

By far, one of the most underrated teams in the NBA. The Sacramento Kings can easily make some noise this upcoming season, especially behind the surprising signing of veteran DeMar DeRozan this offseason, with really only losing a 12.2 points-per-game scorer in Harrison Barnes in the DeRozan sign-and-trade. This team excels with DeMar DeRozan and flops without him. He is what can elevate or tank this roster into another short playoff run. But if all goes well, the Kings, behind the underrated trio of Sabonis, Fox, and DeRozan, are easily a top 7 seed in the Western Conference.

7. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (49-33)

The Pelicans do not have the healthiest of rosters, with countless injuries keeping All-Star Zion Williamson on the sidelines for a chunk of last season, and is probable that he will start this upcoming season. Brandon Ingram missed time last season as well. I don't see this team staying 100% healthy again. Year-round, this roster could easily be a top 5 seed if healthy. Although the addition of Dejounte Murray helps with their point guard position, the team isn't much better overall. Murray is just as injury-prone, and they lost good depth on the roster this offseason in the Murray trade, as well as losing Naji Marshall and Jonas Valanciunas in free agency. With injury concerns still looming and a depleted roster, the Pelicans will need more than just talent to stay competitive.

8. HOUSTON ROCKETS (46-36)

The Rockets are coming off a 41-41 regular season, and they have only gotten better. With the roster getting deeper and the Rockets having a near-perfect if AJ Griffin stays with the roster and does not leave the game of basketball. Coming off a 41-41 year, adding Reed Sheppard with the third overall pick and having Steven Adams come off the bench is a great addition to this season's roster. With a healthy roster year-round, this young team can easily secure a playoff berth and is far better than last season.

9. LOS ANGELES LAKERS (45-37)

The Lakers are essentially the same team going into next season, with only losing Taurean Prince in free agency. The Lakers should see some light with new head coach JJ Redick. Adding Dalton Knecht to the mix adds good shooting depth to the roster as well. Although Anthony Davis was one of the healthiest players on the roster last season, injuries could easily play a part in his season. I don't see this roster staying healthy throughout the season. With LeBron James going into his 22nd year with some injuries last season, he's not getting healthier, and this roster can't rely on a 40-year-old LeBron.

10. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (43-39)

The Grizzlies are going into the new season with a non-suspended and healthy Ja Morant. The Grizzlies add Zach Edey to the mix this offseason via the NBA Draft and look to make a run for a shot at the playoffs. Although the roster is in its 2022-2023 form, I don't see this roster ranking high in the Western Conference. With Morant's shoulder injury, and him being a much-needed piece to the roster, the injury should come back to bite. I can't imagine Morant playing with the same intensity with the concern for another issue or other injury.

11. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (39-43)

The Clippers aren't looking great. Losing Paul George, Mason Plumlee, and Daniel Theis in free agency and gaining Kevin Porter Jr., Kris Dunn, and Derrick Jones Jr. isn't ideal. The injury narrative is huge, but you can't bet on your stars Kawhi Leonard and James Harden to stay healthy throughout the season. There is nothing great outside of Ivica Zubac, Leonard, and Harden on this Clippers team. This team is losing its chances at the postseason and doesn't have much future to plan around.

12. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (36-46)

This roster gives me 2019-2020 Warriors vibes. A 15-50 record team in the shortened NBA year due to COVID-19. Losing Klay Thompson and Chris Paul should affect this roster, although Klay wasn't in his peak performing form in recent years and last season's playoffs, he is what helps Stephen Curry be Stephen Curry. You lose a playmaker in Chris Paul who could've easily set up the bench unit as well. Although the Warriors picked up De'Anthony Melton, Buddy Hield, and Kyle Anderson over the offseason, I don't think it's enough to fill the gap Klay and CP3 filled alongside Curry, leaving him with a starting center in an aging and regressing Draymond Green.

13. SAN ANTONIO SPURS (33-49)

Victor Wembanyama is in for a monster of a season. Being paired up with the very knowledgeable Chris Paul and welcoming Harrison Barnes and Stephon Castle to the roster. Like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Wembanyama should learn so much from CP3 and should evolve. But having CP3, a rookie in Castle, and Barnes isn't enough to bring back the winning culture in San Antonio. We should see Wembanyama play more minutes and with a 25-pound gain, he should play more aggressively and be more versatile. This gives the Spurs an 11-win increase prediction compared to last season's record.

14. UTAH JAZZ (30-52)

The Utah Jazz are better going into this year. With a great draft turnout bringing in Cody Williams, Isaiah Collier, and Kyle Filipowski to the team, they have added promising young talent to their roster. It's a young roster that just needs time to develop, as these players work to find their rhythm in the league. However, the Jazz may struggle to be competitive in the Western Conference.

15. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS (24-58)

You acquire a young star from the draft in Donovan Clingan and trade for Deni Avdija in exchange for Malcolm Brogdon. You aren't making much noise in this competitive Western Conference. With players earning more than they should and consuming all of your salary cap, the Trail Blazers can't really sign anybody for at least another few years until Ayton and Grant's contracts are either traded away or they walk away in free agency. This roster has to rely on the young core of Scoot Henderson, Anfernee Simmons, Shaedon Sharpe, and now Donovan Clingan. This team should focus on nothing but developing their youth and be thankful for Cooper Flagg.

In conclusion, the upcoming 2024-2025 NBA season promises to be an exciting one for the Western Conference. With teams making strategic moves and bolstering their rosters, the battle for playoff positioning will be intense and a nail-biter going into the summer.