The story of the NBA’s Western Conference already seems clear even though we’re still a long ways away from tipoff. There’s the San Antonio Spurs, who are the favorites. There’s the Golden State Warriors, who are the reigning champs and are returning their team intact.
There’s the Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets, who have loaded up for a run, there’s the Memphis Grizzlies, who are still a 50-win team, and then there’s the Oklahoma City Thunder, who will be welcoming back Kevin Durant to a star-studded lineup. That means there are just two spots up for grabs in the Western Conference, so here’s how the race will break down.
Dallas Mavericks
Last Season: 50-32, 7th Place
The Mavericks recorded 50 wins last season, which was only six fewer than Houston and Los Angeles for the second-most in the Western Conference but after a nightmare offseason, they are expected to face an uphill climb just to make the playoffs this season. Dallas waived goodbye to Tyson Chandler only to have DeAndre Jordan walk away from his commitment. In the process, they were left without a decent option at the center position.
The Mavericks also let Monta Ellis sign with the Indiana Pacers for only slightly more money than they would have paid him based in part because they needed that money to commit to Jordan. Dallas did manage to add Zaza Pachulia, Wesley Matthews and Deron Williams, but when you subtract Ellis and Chandler from last year’s roster and factor in the improvements of other teams in the Western Conference, it is clear the Mavericks will be in tough trying to contend for one of the final two playoff spots.
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New Orleans Pelicans
Last Season: 45-37; 8th Place
New Orleans made the playoffs based on a tiebreaker with Oklahoma City last season but they will be in tough to repeat as the eighth seed in the Western Conference again this year. Despite a quality young core that features MVP candidate Anthony Davis and a quality new head coach in Alvin Gentry that is regarded as one of the best offensive minds in the game, they are going to have to get to at least 50 wins. Davis has had trouble staying healthy but if that’s not a factor, this is likely one of the teams that will take one of the final two spots.
Phoenix Suns
Last Season: 39-43; 10th Place
The Suns got rid of Goran Dragic, Isaiah Thomas and Marcus Morris, but re-signed Brandon Knight and added Tyson Chandler and Mirza Teletovic. After all of their moves, they still appear to be a fringe contender that lacks a real identity in the Western Conference. Phoenix will also have to deal with Markieff Morris’ trade request after they moved his brother to the Detroit Pistons and with so much uncertainty, it’s hard to imagine the Suns beating out some of the other contenders for one of the final playoff spots in the Western Conference.
Utah Jazz
Last Season: 38-44; 12th Place
There has been a lot of talk about how Utah posted a 19-10 record after the All-Star break last season and how they project if they can carry over that momentum from last season. With Rudy Gobert, Alec Burks, Gordon Hayward and Rodney Hood comprising an intriguing young core, this team is on the rise.
However, Dante Exum will miss about half of the season and the Jazz won’t sneak up on anybody this time around following last year’s strong finish. Utah has the core pieces to become a legitimate playoff contender in the Western Conference and if the Mavericks do falter and the Jazz do continue their ascent, they could sneak in as the eighth seed.
Sacramento Kings
Last Season: 29-53; 13th Place
The Kings have gone all-in with the hope that DeMarcus Cousins and a reloaded roster can get them into the playoffs but they will definitely face an uphill battle even if they manage to stay healthy. The jury is out on what Darren Collison and Rajon Rondo can bring to the table while both Rudy Gay and Ben McLemore will be relied on to provide consistent scoring without constantly making bad decisions on the wing.
Factor in George Karl’s rocky relationship with Cousins and while Sacramento certainly has some considerable talent, they might not have the right pieces to beat out the other contenders for one of the final two playoff spots in the Western Conference this season.
