Without a doubt, the NBA Western Conference is getting extremely competitive. The Golden State Warriors are coming back from a championship run, the L.A. Clippers finally have a healthy team, and the Denver Nuggets and Dallas Mavericks both have made trades to help their respective young stars.
But the real question is – Which team is the best? So here is a ranking of all 15 Western Conference Teams, going into the 2022-2023 season.
1. Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are the defending champions, so it’s no doubt they have the best odds to win it all next year. They have a developing roster, and have acquired players such as Donte DiVincenzo, bringing even more young talent to their rotation.
2. Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies have a young and talented core which will continue to develop this season. They have additionally acquired a backup point guard Tyus Jones which will help strengthen their roster even more.
3. L.A. Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers have one of the most talented rosters in the NBA. With Kawhi Leonard coming back from an injury, and Paul George being healthy, along with John Wall who recently signed, the Clippers have a great chance of winning a championship.
4. Phoenix Suns
The Suns are coming off having the best record in the NBA and coming short of the Conference Finals. The Suns are working with Deandre Ayton to build a more cohesive team.
5. Denver Nuggets
With the return of Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr, alongside their 2x MVP star center Nikola Jokic, it is safe to say that the Nuggets may be serious contenders in the west.
6. Dallas Mavericks
Although they have traded for star center Christian Wood and signed an additional backup center Javale McGee, the loss of Jalen Brunson will hold the Dallas Mavericks back, as they only have 2 ball handlers on the court.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves made the biggest trade this offseason, trading multiple of their rotational players and picks for 3x DPOY Rudy Gobert. We’ll have to wait and see how he pairs up with Karl Anthony Towns this season.
8. Portland Trailblazers
With a healthy Damian Lillard, new additions to their bench, and the resigning of Jerami Grant and Jusuf Nurkic, the Portland Trailblazers are looking better than they did before.
9. New Orleans Pelicans
The return of Zion Williamson will definitely boost the Pelicans chances of winning in the playoffs. They have good surrounding pieces and a young core to build around him as well.
10. Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz are going in for a rebuild, trading Rudy Gobert for a load of draft picks and expiring contracts. Right now, it’s a question of what will happen regarding trading Donovan Mitchell.
11. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers had a rough season last year, with Anthony Davis injured for almost the entire season, Russell Westbrook not fitting into their lineup well, leaving Lebron James carrying the weight of the team. This year, the Lakers are hoping to get a redemption season, signing young players to their bench, and extending Lebron James’ contract by 2 years.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder have brought in a lot of young talent in the past couple of years, including this year. Chet Holmgren, who was the main prospect of this year’s draft was picked up by the Thunder. The Thunder are focused on improving their young core and building off of Shai-Gilgeous Alexander and Josh Giddey.
13. Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets picked up 2 forwards Jabari Smith Jr, and Tari Eason, improving their young core which is led by Jalen Green.
14. Sacramento Kings
The Kings have been eager to be in the playoffs for over 16 years. Going into this next year, they are hoping to find success with Keegan Murray and Kevin Huerter, new additions to their roster.
15. San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs traded Dejounte Murray, one of the most talented guards in the league, did not re-sign Lonnie Walker IV, and waived Danilo Gallinari. The Spurs are clearly risking their current success for the hope that they can reel in stars to help in the future.
In short, the Western Conference is getting extremely more competitive. Young teams like the Pelicans and Timberwolves are developing, teams such as the Clippers and Blazers finally having a healthy roster, and teams such as the Nuggets and Mavericks are building around their stars. We’ll have to wait and see how these additions and improvements unfold.
