{"id":16699,"date":"2018-08-10T15:59:10","date_gmt":"2018-08-10T19:59:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnba.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=16699"},"modified":"2026-02-28T15:13:25","modified_gmt":"2026-02-28T20:13:25","slug":"nba-western-conference-off-season-recap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2018\/08\/10\/nba-western-conference-off-season-recap\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA Western Conference Off-Season recap"},"content":{"rendered":"

It has been a busy off-season,\u00a0especially in the western conference. The Golden State Warriors<\/a> added a three-time all-star to their already all-star laden roster. LeBron James<\/a><\/strong>, the best player in the world, joined the Western Conference. Paul George<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>opted to stay in Oklahoma\u00a0City and continue to play with Russell Westbrook<\/a><\/strong>. The Rockets lose some key contributors without adding a lot to offset their losses. Now that most of the moving pieces are settled, we can take a look at the key moves from all the teams in the west.<\/p>\n

NBA Western Conference Off-Season Recap<\/h2>\n

Houston\u00a0Rockets<\/a><\/h2>\n

2017-18 record 65-17<\/p>\n

The Rockets were a hamstring injury away from possibly beating Golden State in the Western Conference Finals. However, some key contributors left this off-season. Trevor Ariza<\/a><\/strong> and Luc Mbah a Moute<\/a><\/strong>, two important pieces to the Rockets defensive scheme, left via free agency. Chris Paul<\/a><\/strong>, Clint Capela<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and Gerald Green<\/a> <\/strong>are all coming back, along with free agents Michael Carter-Williams<\/a><\/strong> and Carmelo Anthony<\/a><\/strong>. As a result of all these moves, it\u00a0seems like Houston has downgraded their roster a bit.<\/p>\n

Golden State Warriors<\/h2>\n

2017-18 record 58-24<\/p>\n

The defending champs brought back Kevin Durant<\/a><\/strong> and Kevon Looney<\/a><\/strong>. They also signed three-time all-star DeMarcus Cousins<\/a> <\/strong>and\u00a0Jonas Jerebko<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0which offsets the loss of Zaza Pachulia<\/a> <\/strong>and JaVale McGee<\/a><\/strong>. The important thing was to bring Durant back, which Golden State did. All other moves are not that important and bringing in Cousins just makes it seem more unlikely that Golden State\u00a0gets dethroned.<\/p>\n

Portland Trail Blazers<\/a><\/h2>\n

2017-18 record 49-33<\/p>\n

The Trail Blazers were good, but not great last year. They let Ed Davis<\/a> <\/strong>and Shabazz Napier<\/a> <\/strong>leave. They replaced them with Seth Curry<\/a><\/strong> and Nik Stauskas<\/a><\/strong>. Jusuf Nurkic<\/a><\/strong> is coming back on a four-year deal. In closing, they have not improved or worsened in any significant way and they are stuck in the deep Western Conference.<\/p>\n

Oklahoma\u00a0City Thunder<\/a><\/h2>\n

2017-18 record 48-34<\/p>\n

George surprised a lot of people and decided to stay in OKC. Nerlens Noel<\/a> <\/strong>was signed to a two-year deal, which is a good low-risk move. Dennis Schroder<\/a><\/strong> and\u00a0Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot<\/a><\/strong> were acquired via trade. Most importantly, OKC found a way to get rid of Carmelo Anthony<\/a>. With not a lot of cap room available, Sam Presti<\/strong> did a nice job this off-season.<\/p>\n

Utah Jazz<\/a><\/h2>\n

2017-18 record 48-34<\/p>\n

Utah was one of the hottest teams in basketball in the second half of last year. They re-signed all of the important free agents\u00a0and drafted Grayson Allen<\/a><\/strong> to bolster their bench.<\/p>\n

New Orleans Pelicans<\/a><\/h2>\n

2017-18 record 48-34<\/p>\n

The Pelicans\u00a0lost Cousins last year to injury and decided not to re-sign him. They also let Rajon Rondo<\/a><\/strong> go. New Orleans’ vision is to have a younger roster, so Julius Randle<\/a><\/strong> and Elfrid Payton<\/a><\/strong> come aboard to fill the void. This can be a successful\u00a0off-season if Randle expands his game and learns to pass the ball more.<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs<\/a><\/h2>\n

2017-18 record 47-35<\/p>\n

The Spurs were in a sticky situation, but have made out pretty well in getting DeMar DeRozan<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0aboard. They also drafted a talented rookie in Lonnie Walker<\/a><\/strong> and signed Marco Belinelli<\/a><\/strong>. Tony Parker<\/a> <\/strong>leaving creates a hole in terms of veteran presence, but Gregg Popovich is one of the best coaches in the league and can cover the hole Parker left. This Spurs team is better than last years team<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Minnesota Timberwolves<\/a><\/h2>\n

2017-18 record 47-35<\/p>\n

The Timberwolves bring back pretty much the same roster as last year.<\/p>\n

Denver Nuggets<\/a><\/h2>\n

2017-18 record 46-36<\/p>\n

Nikola Jokic<\/a><\/strong> and Will Barton<\/a><\/strong> are coming back to Denver, while Kenneth Faried<\/a><\/strong> and Wilson Chandler<\/a><\/strong> got traded in salary dumps. Isaiah Thomas<\/a> <\/strong>was signed to provide a scoring punch off the bench. Lastly, anything they get from Michael Porter<\/a><\/strong> Jr. is a plus. The Nuggets are a good team that got a little bit better.<\/p>\n

Los Angeles Clippers<\/a><\/h2>\n

2017-18 record 42-40<\/p>\n

The Clippers are in the middle of a semi-rebuild. DeAndre Jordan<\/a><\/strong> signed with the Mavericks, so the Clippers sent Austin Rivers<\/a><\/strong> to the Washington Wizards for Marcin Gortat<\/a><\/strong>. Mbah a Moute was bought aboard along with Mike Scott<\/a><\/strong>. The biggest reason for optimism is rookie guard<\/a> Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/a><\/strong>. Gilgeous-Alexander along with fellow rookie Jerome Robinson<\/a><\/strong> will determine whether this off-season is considered a successful one or not.<\/p>\n

Los Angeles Lakers<\/a><\/h2>\n

2017-18 record 35-47<\/p>\n

The biggest move here is obviously signing James. Rondo, Lance Stephenson<\/a><\/strong>, Michael Beasley<\/a><\/strong> and McGee were also added to the roster, creating an interesting mix of players. To accommodate all the new players coming in a few players will not return. Brook Lopez<\/a><\/strong>, Randle, Thomas and Channing Frye<\/a><\/strong> all left via free agency. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope<\/a><\/strong> was retained on a one year deal.<\/p>\n

Sacramento Kings<\/a><\/h2>\n

2017-18 record 27-55<\/p>\n

With the second pick in the draft, the Kings passed over Luka Doncic<\/a><\/strong> and drafted Marvin Bagley<\/a> III<\/strong>. They signed Yogi Ferrell<\/a><\/strong> and traded for their former lottery pick Ben McLemore<\/a><\/strong>. It was not a productive off-season.<\/p>\n

Dallas Mavericks<\/a><\/h2>\n

2017-18 record 24-58<\/p>\n

The Mavericks finally get Jordan to play center for them. This being the case, they let Noel leave via free agency. Ferrell, Curry and Doug McDermott<\/a><\/strong> will also be playing for new teams next year. Most noteworthy is the trade that netted Doncic. The Mavericks hope he is the new face of the franchise. Another notable addition is rookie Jalen Brunson<\/a><\/strong>, who can shoot and pass really well.<\/p>\n

Memphis Grizzlies<\/a><\/h2>\n

2017-18 record 22-60<\/p>\n

Memphis added a few good veteran players in Omri Casspi<\/a><\/strong>, Kyle Anderson<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and Garrett Temple<\/a><\/strong>. They also drafted Jaren Jackson<\/a> Jr.<\/strong> with the fourth overall pick. The biggest loss they will have to overcome is that of Tyreke Evans<\/a><\/strong> going to the Pacers.<\/p>\n

Phoenix Suns<\/a><\/h2>\n

2017-18 record 21-61<\/p>\n

Phoenix added some potentially big pieces this summer. They signed Ariza, a veteran wing. Plus, they added two highly touted rookies in Deandre Ayton<\/a><\/strong> and Mikal Bridges<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n