Now that the month of August has begun, the 2024-25 NBA regular season is two months away from beginning. In the Western Conference, a couple of teams have added some major fire power to compete in the wide-open conference. In particular, the Dallas Mavericks will be a team that will get the best shot of their opponents. They will not be the only team facing the title contender pressure in the Western Conference.
3 Western Conference Teams Under Pressure This Season
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder were one of the biggest surprises of last season in the Western Conference. The Thunder went from a bottom feeding team in the conference, to the number one seed. Their postseason ended in disappointment after losing to the Mavericks in the second round. However, during the offseason they were able to acquire Alex Caruso, who will help improve their perimeter defensive scheme. In addition, pairing his defensive skills with that of Luguentz (Lu) Dort gives the Thunder the best defensive duo in the league.
Combine that with the explosive scoring duo of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, and Oklahoma City has the look of a true contender. In addition, the Thunder have the best roster from top to bottom in the conference. As a result, OKC is in a position they have not been in since the Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden era. They are a title contender in the wide-open Western Conference and will have significant pressure to justify the hype.
If their young duo can continue to grow, and a consistent third scorer emerges during the season, the Thunder will be in great shape to make their first NBA Finals appearance since 2012.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Last season, the Minnesota Timberwolves were another team that jumped as they finished in third place in the Western Conference. Additionally, they went from being a play-in team in 2022-23 to a Western Conference Finals participant. As a result of that improvement, the Timberwolves are under a lot of pressure to at least get back to the Western Conference Finals next season.
Minnesota’s season ended in disappointment, as the Mavericks beat them in five games in this year’s Western Conference Finals. During the offseason, they traded for Rob Dillingham during the 2024 NBA Draft. He should give them even more scoring and playmaking in their second unit. Also, he could even work his way into the starting lineup at the point guard position.
Minnesota will have another year of their scoring duo of Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns to further improve their chemistry. The Timberwolves will be in great position to be a title contender, if the team can stay healthy and Edwards improves his playmaking ability.
Dallas Mavericks
As the runner-up in the 2024 NBA Finals, the Dallas Mavericks will have even more pressure on them to validate their impressive postseason. They lost to the Boston Celtics in five games in the finals. Dallas was able to add Klay Thompson during the offseason, so they now have added his championship experience to the scoring prowess of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. If the trio can stay healthy and develop their chemistry, Dallas should have one of the best offenses in the association.
In addition, if Dallas can get something out of their second unit and improve their defensive scheme, the Mavericks will be in a great position to return to the NBA Finals this season.
