The western conference boasts back-to-back NBA championship teams. Most of the 15 franchises made major moves this offseason by trades, free agency and the draft. Many people will focus on how stacked the Pacific division is and how every team could make the playoffs. The champion Denver Nuggets will have a tough task in their quest to repeat, and teams like Memphis could take the next step in longer playoff runs.
That’s a lot to process, so let’s turn the attention to which eight teams have the best chances of making the western conference playoffs.
Denver Nuggets
The reigning champs will make the playoffs unless injuries pile up. Pencil them in for a high seed.
Phoenix Suns
Phoenix traded for Bradley Beal to facilitate better offensive possessions with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Jusuf Nurkic. This will be one of the most dangerous teams in the league.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies couldn’t stay out of the news for negative reasons last spring. It led to a decisive first round exit against the Lakers. General manager Zach Kleiman needed to make some changes so he traded with Boston for Marcus Smart. Smart’s presence alone should balance the rowdy locker room personalities while being a nag on the court. This is still the best team in the Southwest division and Memphis will be one of the best teams in the league when (or if) Ja Morant comes back from suspension.
Los Angeles Clippers
Health is the big concern with the Clippers but having Russell Westbrook play point-guard more is a plus. Westbrook’s consistent energies give coach Tyronn Lue relief if neither Paul George or Kawhi Leonard play at some point. Forward depth such as Terance Mann, Robert Covington and Nicholas Batum helps long-term.
Los Angeles Lakers
The health of LeBron James and Anthony Davis will be a factor of how high Los Angeles places for the postseason. The guard duo of D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves helps the Lakers look like a good choice even if injuries become a problem. Bench players like Rui Hachimura, Taurean Prince and Cam Reddish ease pressure off two or three players doing most of the scoring every night.
Golden State Warriors
Many believe Golden State is coming to the end of the line with their core franchise veterans. This is the season Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody need step into their desired roles and score when both Klay Thompson and Steph Curry rest on the bench. The return of Gary Payton II and signing Chris Paul could make the Warriors harder to eliminate when the postseason approaches.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota has the talent to dominate a lot of teams and they need to do it consistently this year with how much money they’ve spent on Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns. Both players need to drive to the basket while the guard tandem of Mike Conley and Anthony Edwards lead the offense. There are multiple teams in the west that could step up but they don’t have depth like the Timberwolves.
Sacramento Kings
I’m unsure if Sacramento can replicate last year’s miracle postseason appearance, but there are several factors that give them the nod. The last spot will face competition with Dallas and New Orleans. The Mavericks aren’t giving Luka Doncic the desired help and the Pelicans can’t stay healthy even with stellar coaching. That leaves the Kings as the best option with coach Mike Brown having De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis and Harrison Barnes as the team’s core.
Play-in losing teams: New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks
2022-2023 Western conference prediction record: 6-4
JD's Sportscorner 
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