The NBA Season is right around the corner! With the stacked Western Conference as open as ever there are multiple teams positioned to make a run. Teams stayed busy during the off-season, some improved while others are still recovering from the losses. Regardless, the time is almost here to see what teams will survive the unforgiving West. Here are my predictions for the 2024-25 NBA Season Western Conference Standings:

15. Portland Trailblazers 17-65

Portland will be in a heated race with Utah straight to the bottom of the standings. The major difference between the two teams is that the Blazers don’t have a star. They have intriguing pieces and traded for promising forward Deni Avdija during the offseason. With a roster full of young unproven guys Deandre Ayton and Jerami Grant are the veterans that stand out. Portland may move them to create flexibility for the future as their big contracts limit the teams’ options.

This is a big year for Blazers management as they try to figure out who are the pieces for the future. Last season was riddled with injuries and saw the Blazers use 41 lineup combinations, the second most in the league. Portland will be prioritizing answers more than wins this season.

14. Utah Jazz 19-63

Utah is un full development mode as they try to build around All Star Lauri Markkanen. The younger players will get plenty of playing time as the team focuses on growth. Look for veteran players to be involved in trade conversations as their minutes decrease. The possibly of drafting versatile Cooper Flag is a sure guarantee the Jazz won’t be too worried about losing games. It’s not going to be pretty, Markkanen may put up some numbers but don’t expect wins from this team. Utah has more answers than Portland but they are on the same boat.

13. Los Angeles Clippers 39-43

The departure of Paul George has left LA’s other team in disarray. After a mostly healthy campaign Kawhi Leonard went down late in the season. The injury required an off-season procedure on his knee and as of today there is no date set for his return. Which leaves 35-year-old James Harden to lead this squad for the foreseeable future.

James Harden on the new-look Clippers’ style of play this season: “It’s definitely going to involve a lot of me. There was talk when I was in Houston… ‘You can’t win like that.’ You just saw a guy [Luka Doncic] last season make the Finals playing the same exact way I played.” pic.twitter.com/X1x0zn2wpT

— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) September 30, 2024

This wins would pile up if this was “The Beard” from his Houston days but that is far from the case. Even if he can turn the clock back on some nights, their roster isn’t going to make it easy for him. They are guard heavy and stretched thin at the big man positions. It’s going to be a long season for the Clippers and their fans. At least they can enjoy their new fancy building.

12. Houston Rockets 40-42

The Rockets made a jump last season and seem poised to make a run into the playoffs. They should also be the main team to watch if a star player becomes available elsewhere. With a boatload of draft assets, and intriguing young players they have attractive options. Houston barely missed out on the play-in last year and will be in the hunt once again this season.

The main thing that can derail their progress is the uncertainty surrounding Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun. Both are up for extensions and the sentiment around the Association is that they will only keep one of them. This will keep the team in trade conversations for the first half of the season. Teams always have a hard time performing under these circumstances, it’s unlikely they will be the exception. A team full of young players will be fighting to block out the noise and it will ultimately hurt their progress.  

11. Golden State Warriors 41-41

Klay Thompson is out of town and the once mighty Warriors big 3 is no more. The Dubs added veterans in hopes of providing support for their fearless leader Steph Curry.  Some of the players coming in include Buddy Hield, De’Anthony Melton, and Kyle Anderson. It’s understandable if fans are not shaking with excitement. While all these veterans are good role players, they don’t seem to be the help Golden State fans were hoping for.  

While most believe this will be another tough season for the Warriors there are some who think otherwise. Word around the league is that there are plenty in the analytic departments who are high on the Dubs. There are expectations that Golden State will find themselves once again at the top of the league. The Warriors are betting on a fast-paced offense that will shoot a lot of 3s to get them there. I thought I had learned my lesson of counting out Steph, but the truth is, I don’t share their optimism.

10. San Antonio Spurs 42 – 40

Time for Coach Pop to unleash Victor Wembanyama. During his impressive rookie campaign the “Alien” was under a minute’s restriction for most of the season. Wemby became the unquestioned first option in San Antonio and yet it felt as if the team was holding him back. It’s the first time in the history of the league that a rookie is dominating the league, healthy and plays less than 30 minutes a game. This unprecedented circumstance suggests the Spurs were being cautious with their generational player. Focusing on helping him learn the NBA game instead of letting him go all out.

OH MY WEMBANYAMA‼️ pic.twitter.com/xeONY0XzHM

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) November 3, 2023

Not only did they cap what could’ve been an even more historic rookie season, but it also reflected on the team’s record. Their lack of experience and depth at point guard was evident as they finished in the bottom of the West. Talented rookie Stephon Castle and veteran Chris Paul are much needed additions at the position. Harrison Barnes will also bring veteran experience to last year’s youngest NBA team. The Spurs seemed poised for a run and Victor putting on 25 pounds during the summer indicates they’re aiming for the playoffs.

9. Los Angeles Lakers 44-38

New coach, new rookies, same Lakers. The purple and gold didn’t make any significant changes to their roster during the offseason. It’s hard not to see LA’s experiment of J.J. Redick as a desperation move. There is a chance they are building for the future, and he will keep his job regardless of the team’s wins and losses. If it were any other team, I would see that as a real possibility, but this is the Lakers we are talking about. There’s no way they are not trying to contend during Lebron’s final years.

James and Anthony Davis had a great Olympic showing, leading team USA to gold. However, they don’t have anything close to the same amount of talent they were surrounded by.  James is already in media control mode, “I don’t have any expectations. And that’s unfair to put any expectations on us right now. The only thing that we can count on each other is how we come to practice and come to work every day,” per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. The Lakers will be fighting for a play-in spot at the end of the season.

8. Sacramento Kings 45-37

With the addition of DeMar DeRozan, the Kings hope to climb up the Western Conference. They managed to add another shot creator and pair two of the most clutch players in the league. Fox won the Clutch Player of the Year in 2023, and DeRozan finished second in 2024. On offense the Kings now have more options to throw at opposing teams.

The deciding factor on whether they can contend or not will be their defense. Their inability to stop opponents has been their kryptonite for years. However, they showed signs of improvement by finishing the last 24 games of the season with a top 3 defensive rating. Sacramento didn’t improve their defense with DeRozan therefore, they will be relying on that small amount of success to carry over from last season.  

7. Memphis Grizzlies 45-37

Last season began and ended in disaster for Memphis. Ja Morant was suspended for the first 25 games, then returned to suffer a season-ending shoulder injury. That’s just the tip of the iceberg for a team that employed 31 different players, the most in league history. The number of injuries they dealt with never allowed the Grizzlies to have any consistency on the court. After two seasons where they climbed up to the top of the West, they were hit by a big dose of reality, health and success are not guaranteed in the NBA.

We can chalk it up to bad luck, the likelihood they have a repeat of last season is unlikely. With a lost season they will need to accelerate evaluations of the new roster. Starting with figuring out if Marcus Smart is an upgrade defensively while opening things up for Morant to operate on offense. Jaren Jackson Jr. is dealing with a hamstring strain which means more will be asked of rookie Zach Edy. The Grizzlies will be tested right from the start.

Jaren Jackson Jr.’s injury is a low-grade strain, per Taylor Jenkins.

He called it very good news. No concern for the season opener at this point. Grizzlies will still be cautious

— Damichael Cole (@DamichaelC) October 2, 2024

6. Phoenix Suns 47-35

The additions of Tyus Jones and Monte Morris address a glaring need at point guard for Phoenix. Bringing in Mason Plumlee and new head coach Mike Budenholzer is also a step in the right direction. But at the end of the day, this team was put together to win with its combination of superstars. When it comes to the Suns they will still depend heavily on their big three. Bradley Beal played 53 games last year, and going by his last five seasons I wouldn’t bet on him playing a lot more than that.

This raises the concern that when he does play, they need to win most of those games. Phoenix went 33-20 in the games Beal played and 16-13 without him. The Suns added some depth but to say it will completely make up for his absence is far-fetched. If he is on the court consistently Phoenix could climb up the standings, but history is not on their side. I expect a similar season to last year’s from the Suns.

5. New Orleans Pelicans 49-33

Zion Williamson looks like he is in the best shape of his life. This is the Zion we all expected to see when he got drafted. New Orleans went and added another All-Star in Dejounte Murray. A ball handler that can defend the perimeter and create for others. This will relieve pressure from CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram to create offense. Ingram is once again at the center of trade conversations and speculations about his future will be a heavy talking point this season.

As it stands, the Pelicans have an impressive collection of talent. It will get expensive quickly and unrealistic to keep together. Yet, the potential of this team is undeniable. This is arguably the best team any of these guys has played in within the NBA. If it doesn’t work, then they should move on, but management has to give this team a chance. The team’s success will be dependent on Zion’s health. He played 70 games last season and if he can replicate that the Pelicans can make some noise in the West.

4. Minnesota Timberwolves 51-31

Freshly off their trade the Timberwolves have gotten… better? All around this team looks good on paper. Yet this is not the same team that went to the conference finals. Their size was a headache for teams to solve on a nightly basis. Karl Anthony Towns’ versatility to not clog up the paint was a key piece in their run last season. Now they will have to figure out how to incorporate Julius Randle into this offense. He doesn’t shoot the ball like KAT and tends to need the ball to get in rhythm.

Knicks have acquired Karl-Anthony Towns from Minnesota for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and a first-round pick via Detroit, sources tell me and @JonKrawczynski. pic.twitter.com/FafQlY48Y1

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 28, 2024

People are underestimating the impact this trade will have on the team. They fixed a monetary issue and arguably got better but they lost what made them successful. They will be one of the top teams in the West, but they will regress some due to the adjustment.

3. Denver Nuggets 54-28

The 2023 NBA Champions were bounced out of the second round in a 7-game series last season. Fatigue played a factor, evident by the 45-point loss in game 6. Then they lost game 7 by 20 after being up by 15 at halftime. Jamal Murray was banged up going into the playoffs, but the entire team was visibly exhausted. The early elimination could be a blessing in disguise.

Denver lost Kentavious Caldwell-Pope during the offseason and gained Russell Westbrook. They won’t have the same defensive presence, but he gives the team another facilitator. We know he’s not a shooter, but he can push the pace and open opportunities for Jokic and Murray. If Denver is taking this gamble, it’s because they are willing to put the ball in his hands. Regardless they still have the three time MVP in Jokic, the Nuggets are going to be a top 3 seed in the West.

2. Dallas Mavericks 57-25

After rescuing P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford, their nonexistent defense blossomed. Not only did they improve defensively, but they became more dynamic on offense. This was evident by their monstrous +12.2 net rating when Doncic, Irving, and Washington were on the floor. Dallas made a run to the Finals thanks to their defense and streaky shooters hitting open shots until they didn’t.

Their lack of shooters was blatantly apparent during the Finals. Guys didn’t make shots, and the series didn’t go the Mavs way. Fortunately things are looking up as they added a guy named Klay Thompson who is more than qualified to fix that. With the experience of a trip to the Finals and a full season to work the kinks out, we should expect an even better Mavericks team this season.

1. Oklahoma City Thunder 60-22

The second-youngest team last season, the OKC Thunder, finished as the first seed in the West. They became the youngest one-seed in NBA history. Not only that, they are also the youngest team to win a playoff series. This team is good, young, and talent-wise, they got better this off-season. OKC added veterans Alex Caruso and big man Hartenstein to their impressive young roster.

The Thunder were a top offensive-rated team and rated top five defensively. They have improved their defense, added size and have an MVP-level player. The only thing this team is lacking is deep playoff experience. OKC should be favorites in the West and will be a serious threat to whoever comes out of the East. Something would have to go seriously wrong for them to finish outside the top two teams in the Western Conference.