Trav’s Top 5 Western Conference Teams for the New Season
It’s official! The NBA returns tonight and we’re in for a long season. The Dallas Mavericks made it to the NBA Finals but fell to the Boston Celtics in five games. Can the Mavericks return to the NBA Finals this season? Check out my top 5 Eastern Conference teams for this season. Like always in the Western Conference, they will have a lot of competition trying to win a championship. The Oklahoma City Thunder will be looking to make that leap. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished runner-up to the league MVP a year ago. Oklahoma City was the best team at the end of the year but couldn’t make the NBA Finals. Will Denver, Dallas, Minnesota or another team challenge the Thunder this season? Check out my top 5 Western Conference teams for the new season.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City finished atop of the Western Conference a season ago. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished as the runner-up to league MVP last season. Oklahoma City added one of the best perimeter defenders in the league during the offseason. The Thunder traded Josh Giddey to Chicago for Alex Caruso. Chet Holgren is looking to take that step as one of the best big men in the league. Oklahoma City signed Isaiah Hartenstein from the Knicks in free agency. Hartenstein begins the season injured, but he’ll be a valuable piece this season. This team could be one of the better defensive teams in the league this season.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota reached the Western Conference Finals last season. They fell to the Dallas Mavericks in their quest to finally reach the NBA Finals. Anthony Edwards has arrived, and he could be in the MVP conversation this season. This has become his team, and they made it clear by trading Karl Anthony-Towns away. Minnesota traded Karl Anthony-Towns to New York for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo. Julius Randle gives this team another scorer and someone that could hit the boards also. Donte DiVincenzo has the potential to be the 6th Man of the Year this season. Rudy Gobert can just focus on defense and Rob Dillingham was a quality pick for them. If Minnesota gels, they could be challenging the Thunder for the best team in the Western Conference.
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets competed for the top spot until the final games of the season. Nikola Jokic is still one of, if not, the best players in the league. Jokic is a threat to put up a triple double every night. Denver continues to keep their championship level team together for the foreseeable future. Jamal Murray is still one of the more underrated players in the league. Murray can score when needed and they awarded him with a new contract extension. Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. will continue to make a great pair of defenders. They both can defend almost all positions, and Gordon was also rewarded with a new deal. Unfortunately, they couldn’t keep Kentavious Caldwell-Pope as he left in free agency. Russell Westbrook signed with the team, and he can bring toughness and intensity to this squad.
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks made it to the NBA Finals but fell to the Celtics in five games. Luka Doncic is expected to be in the running for the league MVP this season. Kyrie Irving is still one of the best players in the league. They signed Klay Thompson in free agency and he will be looking to prove he’s still one of the elite players. Quentin Grimes will have a bigger role for this team. How will Dereck Lively II be in his second season? Lively II gained a lot of confidence and experience due to their playoff run a year ago. Derrick Jones Jr. played a huge part in their run to the NBA Finals. Jones Jr. left in free agency, so they will have to replace his defense and intensity. This team will go as far as Luka can take them.
Phoenix Suns
This could be a make-or-break season for the Phoenix Suns. The Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal can’t stay healthy. There have been rumors that the Suns could be looking to trade Kevin Durant. The future Hall-of-Famer is 36 years old, but he’s still playing at a high level. Devin Booker is only 27 years old, but he dealt with a series of injuries last season. Bradley Beal hasn’t stayed healthy in years and if they’re going to compete that must change. Mike Budenholzer is the new coach for this team, and he could prove to be the perfect coach for them. Tyus Jones signed with the team and he’s looking to prove he’s a top tier point guard. If the Suns can stay healthy, they could creep into the top 4.
Here are my top 5 teams in the Western Conference for the new season. My next four teams are the Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans, Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets. Who are your top 5 teams in the Western Conference this season? What do you think about my top 5 Western Conference teams? Leave some feedback below about anything related to the Western Conference.
