Fourteen of the fifteen Western Conference teams are looking to compete for a playoff spot in 2025–26. Six of those 14 will not make the first round of the postseason, while many of the eight that do will be left disappointed after a premature playoff exit.
The gap between the East and West is perhaps the largest it has ever been. From a clear title favorite in the Thunder to veteran-heavy teams in big markets and legitimate Conference Finals candidates, the conference is absolutely stacked from top to bottom.
We have ranked all 15 teams into distinct tiers:
OKC Tier: Thunder
Reigning champions and fresh off a dominant regular season, the Thunder deserve their own tier. Oklahoma City avoided any discontent from their core players by tying down Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren on long-term deals.
A stifling defense, an offense led by the defending MVP, and a young roster only set to get better? Yep, this Thunder squad is the best team in the NBA, and we very well could be seeing the start of a dominant dynasty.
Serious Finals Contenders: Rockets and Nuggets
Houston added Kevin Durant, Clint Capela, and Dorian Finney-Smith. Denver brought back Bruce Brown and bolstered its roster with Cam Johnson, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Jonas Valančiūnas.
The Nuggets are a serious contender as long as Nikola Jokić is in the midst of an all-time great peak. The two seed a year ago, the Rockets addressed their half-court offense with Durant and retain their defensive identity under the leadership of Ime Udoka.
Denver has the playoff experience, but the Rockets are going to be a very tough out for any playoff opponent, providing Durant is healthy. These two teams are a cut above the rest of the chasing pack in the Western Conference, though their respective flaws ensure they are still a long way from challenging OKC for favorite status.
Crossing Fingers: Timberwolves, Warriors, Clippers, and Lakers
Golden State didn’t take the big swing many expected them to this offseason. Minnesota tried and failed to acquire Kevin Durant, and instead will settle for running it back with Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert accompanying Anthony Edwards after losing Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
The Clippers have built a roster that would have been spectacular in 2018, with Brook Lopez, Bradley Beal, and John Collins joining the Kawhi Leonard–James Harden tandem. On the other side of Los Angeles, LeBron James’ future is uncertain, but the Lakers added Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia, and Marcus Smart.
Durability is a concern for the Clippers. The Lakers still haven’t struck a balance between offense and defense, particularly with a lack of options to guard opposing ball handlers. Golden State hasn’t addressed the Jonathan Kuminga conundrum and is yet to add to its frontcourt. Gobert and Mike Conley are a year older for Minnesota, thus this roster is weaker than it was a year ago.
This is the most well-populated of the four tiers, and this is where the depth of the West is really on show. At least one of these teams will be in the play-in. All four believe they have title-winning upside, but they need a lot to go right.
Upwardly Mobile: Spurs and Mavericks
Two of the last three first overall picks are in this tier. San Antonio has re-upped De’Aaron Fox long-term and added Dylan Harper to its young core of Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle.
Dallas is hard to evaluate. It could be a completely lost season if Kyrie Irving is out for the year. While that would give Cooper Flagg ample time to develop, it would represent a disappointment after Nico Harrison tried to construct a contender.
If Dallas can tread water without Irving, they could be a threat late in the season if the star guard returns and gets back to his best. San Antonio is probably a year or two away from legitimate contention, and there is some fit clunkiness in the backcourt, but anything is possible with the talent they have around Wemby.
Play-In at Best: Kings, Pelicans, and Grizzlies
Sacramento had to watch Tyrese Haliburton lead the Pacers to the NBA Finals. Memphis traded away Desmond Bane in a pragmatic long-term, but painful short-term, move. New Orleans’ bizarre front-office decisions continued by trading away their 2026 first to move up in the draft.
The Grizzlies and Pelicans have clung to the hope that Ja Morant and Zion Williamson, respectively, can become consistent All-NBA performers. The Kings have locked themselves into a carbon copy of the Chicago Bulls with Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Domantas Sabonis representing an uninspiring core.
All of these teams should be looking to tear it down before the trade deadline. None of them have meaningful upside, and their biggest impact on the season could be making Trey Murphy III, Malik Monk, or Jaren Jackson Jr. available.
Bleak Year Incoming: Suns, Blazers, and Jazz
Durant and Beal are gone, bringing little in return other than a significant cap hit for the rest of the decade. Phoenix’s blueprint appears to be passing the ball to Devin Booker and hoping for the best.
Portland’s offseason felt positive with the remarkable Damian Lillard reunion. Jrue Holiday is a great mentor for Scoot Henderson, and everyone in the Blazers’ front office is happy the Ayton era is over. Still, this team is a long way from being a playoff challenger, with uncertainty over what to expect from Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, and Yang Hansen.
Owners of the lowest projected win total in the Western Conference, the Jazz are comfortably the weakest team in the West. A Lauri Markkanen trade could finally become reality as Utah positions itself for another high draft pick. They could realistically end the season with less than 15 wins.
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