Where will LeBron and the Lakers end up? How about the Warriors and Mavs? Our panel of experts reveals their Western Conference win-loss projections for 2024-25.
With top contenders like the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder improving from strength to strength, another battle is expected in a star-studded Western Conference.
The Thunder, the No. 1 seed heading into last season’s playoffs, bring back a strong core led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and the addition of the defensive ace Alex Caruso.
While LeBron James will be looking to claim his second title with the Lakers entering his seventh season in Los Angeles, Stephen Curry will be without partner Klay Thompson this year after 13 seasons in Golden State. Getty Images
The arrival of Klay Thompson to the Mavericks in the offseason adds another key component to one of the league’s best offenses, as well as the dynamic duo of Luka Doncic y Kyrie Irvingboth hungry to return to the Finals after losing to the Boston Celtics last season.
And let’s not forget the Denver Nuggetswho are a year away from winning the title and remain a dangerous team under the reigning MVP Nikola Jokic.
For the first time in NBA history we will see a father-son duo on the same team with LeBron James y Bronny JamesHowever, the lack of offseason moves by Los Angeles Lakers and the hiring of debuting head coach, JJ Redickpredict another season of initial headaches for James and Anthony Davis.
Welcome to the 2024-25 Western Conference. Team by team, here’s how our panel of experts breaks it down.
Note: Our NBA Summer Forecast 2024-25 concludes on Friday with predictions for the conference champion and the Finals. We’ve already revealed our predictions for how the Eastern Conference will play out.
Western Conference Standings
Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, the Oklahoma City Thunder bring back a strong core this season after claiming the top seed in the West last season. Alonzo Adams/USA TODAY Sports
The contenders
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
Which team is the biggest threat to the Maverickscurrent conference champions?
Take your pick as the West is once again packed with superstars and title contenders.
He Thunderled by Alexander (second in MVP voting) and rising center Holmgren, became the youngest No. 1 seed in NBA history in 2023-24. Our panel predicts a repeat performance, but it won’t be easy.
Editorial Selections
2 Related
Los Timberwolves and the rising star Anthony Edwards will look to improve on their run to the conference finals, while Doncic and Irving enter the season with the experience of a Finals berth and welcome future Hall of Famer Thompson to Dallas.
It is projected that the Nuggetsdespite tying the Thunder for the most wins in the West last season, slide just behind the Wolves and Mavs in the race for home court in the playoffs. But as long as three-time MVP Jokic is on the court, don’t rule out the possibility of Denver try again to reach the number one spot in the West.
Rounding out the top six are two teams that will have a new look in 2024-25, for different reasons. Suns They hope that their trio of stars formed by Kevin Durant, Devin Booker y Bradley Bealwho shared the court for only 41 games last season, improves his health. The Kings, for their part, added the All-Star DeMar DeRozanwhich joins the scout De’Aaron Fox to create one of the most dangerous backcourts in the league.
Zion Williamson is entering his fifth season in the league and played a career-high 70 games last season. AP
The play-in group
7. New Orleans Pelicans: 46-36
8. Golden State Warriors: 45-37
9. Memphis Grizzlies: 44-38
10. Houston Rockets: 44-38
Los Grizzlies They hope that Yes Morant play a full season, but they face a play-in berth amid a tough Western Conference race. Joining Memphis could be a Pelicans team that would prefer to avoid the play-in tournament after three consecutive seasons. Warriorswho lost in the play-in tournament last season, signed several players to ease the blow of losing Thompson, but that may not be enough to Stephen Curry and company return to the playoffs.
Los Rockets They have missed the playoffs in four straight seasons, so reaching the play-in under second-year coach Ime Udoka could be a big step forward.
How far will the Spurs go in Victor Wembanyama’s second season? Cooper Neill/NBAE/Getty Images
The last five
11. Los Angeles Lakers: 44-38
12. LA Clippers: 43-39
13. San Antonio Spurs: 35-47
14. Utah Jazz: 26-56
15. Portland Trail Blazers: 22-60
Could both Los Angeles teams miss the postseason? Our panel predicts a step back for both the Lakers and Clippers in 2025-26.
James and Davis’ team didn’t make many roster changes during the offseason, but they hired Redick as head coach and drafted Dalton Knecht and Bronny James in the draft. The Clippers, meanwhile, will open the new Intuit Dome without the superstar forward Paul Georgewho signed with the 76ers in July.
Elsewhere in the West’s bottom tier, our panel predicts a 13-win improvement for Victor Wembanyama and the Spursthe second-biggest jump in the league. Unfortunately for the reigning Rookie of the Year, that, plus the addition of veteran Chris Paulwas not enough to catapult San Antonio into the playoff picture.
Joining the Spurs in our bottom three are the Jazz and the Trail Blazerswho are in full rebuilding mode after trading away their superstars in recent seasons.
