ESPN has their Summer Forecast panel that makes predictions and answers questions about the upcoming NBA season. In an article posted on Thursday, they were asked for their projected Western Conference standings for the 2024-25 season. Each ‘expert’ gave their predictions on the win-loss records of each team in the West. Those records were averaged out, and a projected final Western Conference standings were revealed.
ESPN Predicts NBA Western Conference Standings For 2024-25
Western Conference Playoff Teams
- 1. Oklahoma City Thunder 57-25
- 2. Minnesota Timberwolves 54-28
- 3. Dallas Mavericks 52-30
- 4. Denver Nuggets 52-30
- 5. Phoenix Suns 49-33
- 6. Sacramento Kings 47-35
The Thunder were the top seed in the Western Conference last season. They have since added Alex Caruso via trade and Isaiah Hartenstein via free agency. Both players should play huge roles this season, whether starting or as one of their top reserves. Another year of growth from the youthful core group should also pay dividends.
Denver seemed to take a step back with starting shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope signing with the Orlando Magic. How will Christian Braun fare in a starting role? Also, the team must have worries about Jamal Murray’s subpar Olympic performance. Still, with three-time MVP Nikola Jokic still in tow, they shouldn’t drop that far.
How will the Suns perform now that they have an actual experienced point guard? Getting Tyus Jones at a veteran’s minimum deal is arguably the biggest steal in free agency. That puts less pressure on players who played outside their comfort zone last season like Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.
Western Conference Play-In Teams
- 7. New Orleans Pelicans 46-36
- 8. Golden State Warriors 45-37
- 9. Memphis Grizzlies 44-38
- 10. Houston Rockets 44-38
Looking at these standings, it’s going to be a battle to avoid the Play-In Tournament (or just to make it). Seeds six through 12 are separated by just four games.
All four of these teams are intriguing in their own ways. The Pelicans certainly need a healthy Zion Williamson to hit their ceiling, but who will start at center? Golden State wasn’t able to add a star, but they did well in retooling after Klay Thompson left for Dallas (signed Buddy Hield, Kyle Anderson, and De’Anthony Melton). The Grizzlies have previously been near the top of the West with Ja Morant around, but will he stay healthy? The Rockets are one of the clear ascending teams in the league, but the West is certainly stacked.
Outside The Playoff Race Looking In
- 11. Los Angeles Lakers 44-38
- 12. Los Angeles Clippers 43-39
- 13. San Antonio Spurs 35-47
- 14. Utah Jazz 26-56
- 15. Portland Trail Blazers 22-60
Heads will roll in Lakerland if they are unable to qualify for even the Play-In Tournament. They received the same record in the projection as Houston and Memphis, but those two teams must have been percentage points ahead (no mention of how tiebreakers were figured out).
The East is where most of the non-contending teams reside. Another season of growth from Victor Wembanyama along with veteran additions Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes seems to have taken the Spurs out of that non-contending group. It would be hard to imagine head coach Chauncey Billups keeping his job in Portland with a second-straight last place finish in the Western Conference.
