With the NBA offseason mostly complete and the season quickly approaching it’s time to start evaluating each team. Whether you’re a clear contender or a lottery dweller every team has significant questions attached to them. Let’s dive into one question for every Western Conference team. The Eastern Conference version of this list can be found here.
1 Question for Every Western Conference NBA Team
Dallas Mavericks: How Will They Replace Derrick Jones’ Defense?
Klay Thompson projects to be an ideal fit with the Mavericks as an elite movement shooter and kick-out option for Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. However, his presence along with Derrick Jones singing with the Clippers brings into question their wing defense. Jones often guards the opposing team’s best player guard or wing. While P.J. Washington is a good defender he isn’t a defensive stopper like Jones. The signing of Naji Marshall will certainly help out as he is a high-level wing defender. However, it’s unclear if he can consistently guard the opposing team’s best player.
Denver Nuggets: Can Their Young Talent Step Up?
The Nuggets took a ton of criticism for letting Kentavious Caldwell-Pope walk. This move was in part to avoid luxury tax payments but also due to Calvin Booth’s belief in his young talent. Christian Braun, Peyton Watson, and Julian Strawther are three young players the Nuggets are counting on the most. These three mostly unproven players will be central to the Nuggets’ hopes of returning to title contention. It’s difficult to develop young players while actively trying to win a championship this balance will be something to watch all year.
Golden State Warriors: Will They Make a Move?
The Warriors have clear needs for secondary creation next to Stephen Curry and frontcourt size. Despite being in plenty of rumors the Warriors didn’t make any moves. They notably struck out on Lauri Markkanen and Paul George. The loss of Klay Thompson is also notable despite his struggles he was their second-leading scorer last year and remains an elite shooter. Currently, the roster is a fringe playoff team. When you have a player like Curry you’re always in win-now so upgrading the roster around him will always be something to watch.
Houston Rockets: What’s Jalen Green’s Future With The Team?
The Rockets have an ideal combination of high-impact young players and great win-now players. The team has been rumored to desire another star and Ime Udoka is a coach looking to be immediately competitive. Despite tons of talent and a stellar second half of the season last year Jalen Green could be the odd man out. Notably, Green and Alperen Sengun have not received contract extensions. However, Sengun is more of a clear franchise cornerstone. Green and picks could land a big-name star if one is available. Additionally, with Reed Sheppard in the mix Green’s role is less clear.
Los Angeles Clippers: Can They Recover From Losing Paul George?
Paul George left the Clippers for the 76ers in free agency due to contract disagreements with LA. The Clippers now have a large void to fill as George is an All-Star-level wing with three-level scoring and quality defense. This puts a larger burden on Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. Both players are older and declining. Furthermore, Kawhi is constantly injured. Derrick Jones Jr. is a great defensive replacement but leaves a lot to be desired on offense. The Clippers were a 4-seed last year but could feasibly fall out of the playoffs or even the play-in.
Los Angeles Lakers: Will The Coaching Change Be Enough To Improve The Team?
This offseason the Lakers opted to sign no free agents or make any trades. This means hiring JJ Redick and their two draft picks were their only changes. Coming off an 8-seed with a roster that has clear flaws is a bold choice. However, Redick has discussed several changes within the offense including prioritizing Anthony Davis. With Davis and LeBron James, the Lakers have two clear top-15 players. Nevertheless with the rest of the West improving the path to contention is difficult even with a coaching change.
Memphis Grizzlies: Are The Healthy Grizzlies A Contender?
After back-to-back 50-win seasons both as the second seed in the West, the Grizzlies had an injury-riddled 2023-24 campaign. However, with Ja Morant back alongside a very similar core the Grizzlies could potentially be legit contenders. The pairing of Morant and Marcus Smart is very intriguing. As the role of young wings GG Jackson and Vince Williams. Rookie Zach Edey could also make an instant impact as a defensive anchor and interior threat. While the West has certainly improved the core Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. will be very competitive.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Can The Surrounding Talent Consistently Step Up?
The Timberwolves are coming off an incredible season in which they took down the defending champion Nuggets and made their second conference finals appearance in franchise history. However, in the conference finals, the supporting cast around Anthony Edwards failed to step up. This also led to Edwards who had been brilliant until that point somewhat struggling as he was asked to do everything for the Timberwolves. Karl-Anthony Towns had highs and lows throughout the playoffs but needs to consistently perform as a second option.
Naz Reid was the closest thing to a second option against the Mavericks. If Towns can’t consistently deliver the hope is Reid along with the rookies can be enough off the bench to balance the scoring load. Alternatively, Jaden McDaniels could take another leap. Ultimately someone has to consistently step up next to Edwards for the Timberwolves to reach their championship aspirations.
New Orleans Pelicans: What’s Brandon Ingram’s Future With The Team?
Many were expecting Brandon Ingram to be moved in the offseason. The emergence of Trey Murphy and Herb Jones makes Ingram expandable. Additionally, the Pelicans’ need for a center would give them a clear archetype to target in a possible Ingram trade. However, Ingram’s desire to land a max deal has held back any trade. Notably, Ingram is a free agent next summer. The Pelicans could eventually trade Ingram for a minimal return. Alternatively, they will re-negotiate a deal or let him walk as a free agent. Overall Ingram’s future with the Pelicans is very unclear and it’s starting to feel like a no-win situation.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Can this Core Make a Championship Leap?
The reigning top seed in the conference of course brought back their elite young core of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren. However, they upgraded their roster by adding Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein. Both players fill vital roles with Hartenstein providing much-needed rebounding and big man depth while Caruso is an elite perimeter defender who can spot up. The Thunder are the odds-on favorites in the West and have the potential to be a 60-win team. While they are contenders, it’s fair to wonder if this core can make a championship leap after winning just one playoff series together.
Phoenix Suns: Will Tyus Jones Solve Their Problems?
In the first year with the trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal the Suns had a disappointing season. They finished just sixth in the West and were swept in the first round. One clear flaw was the lack of a natural point guard and playmaker. The Suns had one of the best moves of the offseason by picking up Tyus Jones on a minimum contract. Jones is one of the league’s best playmakers and his ability to set up Phoenix’s elite scorers is ideal. Nevertheless, it’s unclear if Jones and the hiring of Mike Budenholzer will be enough for the Suns to contend for a title.
Portland Trail Blazers: Are They In Full Tank For Cooper Flagg Mode?
Recent rumors are the Trail Blazers are looking to trade Jerami Grant and Anfernee Simons. Their big men Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams are also available however, both players might not have much value right now. Regardless, these rumors suggest the Blazers are looking to fully bottom out. The Blazers are likely already the worst team in the West. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see if they compete bottom out in hopes of landing a top pick in a loaded 2025 draft class headlined by Cooper Flagg and Ace Bailey.
Sacramento Kings: How Will DeMar DeRozan Fit?
While it’s somewhat simple this might be the most interesting question for any team. The Kings landed DeMar DeRozan via sign-and-trade. His fit with the Kings is highly intriguing. On one hand, DeRozan is an elite isolation and clutch-time scorer who could help bring Sacermento’s offense back to the top five. Conversely, his lack of shooting and defense makes him a questionable fit next to stars De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. As the Kings attempt to get back into the playoffs, watching how DeRozan fits in will be highly important and interesting. If he fits perfectly the Kings could be legit contenders if not, the Kings could have a disappointing season.
San Antonio Spurs: What Level Will Wemby Reach?
Victor Wembanyama is coming off a historic rookie season where he established himself as one of the best defenders in the league. This was all with one of the worst rosters in the league. The Spurs improved their roster by drafting Stephon Castle, signing Chris Paul, and trading for Harrison Barnes. These moves addressed the Spurs’ main needs for playmaking and three-point shooting. Considering the roster improvements and a natural second-year jump, Wembanyama is poised to reach another level. While they have completely different play styles Wemby could be on a similar trajectory to Luka Doncic. In his second season, Doncic made All-NBA first team and never looked back. Something similar could be in store for Wemby this year.
Utah Jazz: What’s The Goal?
Despite many trade rumors Lauri Markkanen and the Jazz reached a contract extension. Utah’s pick is top-10 protected so it would have been in their best interest to bottom out. However, with Markkanen they might be looking to compete somewhat. Nevertheless, they have a bottom-three roster in the West, and letting Markkanen sit late in the season is possible. The Jazz have a solid young core including three talented rookies. Utah seems like they are entering a rebuild while keeping Markkanen. Ultimately, though the move to bring back Lauri makes their direction somewhat unclear given the chance to double down on their rebuild with more young talent and picks.
