The NBA we knew is much different from the league less than a week ago with the start of free agency. Many teams have reloaded to increase their chances of contending. In the stacked Western Conference, the arms race is ongoing. With developments in the Eastern Conference – such as year-long injuries to superstars Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics) and Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers) – it seems very likely that the champion for the 2026 season will be coming from the West. Here is how Western Conference teams compare after a flurry of trades and acquisitions barely a week after:
1. Oklahoma City Thunder – Fresh from their very first title as the Thunder, the team ensured that their Big Three – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren – will be together for the foreseeable future by giving them long-term contracts and extensions. Potentially, the Thunder are looking to reward their core with over $800 million over the life their contracts. Unlike other superstar-laden teams, the Thunder can sustain their spending since they have 14 first-round picks in the next 7 years, contracts to the core are staggered (Shai’s mega-contract doesn’t start until 2027), and new revenue streams expected (e.g. new national TV contract). With their young core, the Thunder is poised to dominate the league until the end of this decade.
2. Denver Nuggets – The Nuggets pushed the Thunder to seven games before succumbing to the well-oiled team due to various injuries to key players. Arguably, Nikola Jokic is still the best overall player in the league, but he lacked help and the Nuggets’ lack of depth eventually did them in. This summer, the team finally pulled the plug on starter Michael Porter Jr., replacing him with Cam Johnson and welcoming back do-it-all guard Bruce Brown who was an essential part of their 2023 title team. Importantly, they acquired an above average center reliever Jonas Valanciunas for Jokic. After years of going at it alone, Jokic finally has the team he deserves to keep his championship window open.
3. Houston Rockets – Houston finally realized that young star Jalen Green (23) could never bring them to the promised land so they replaced him with 15-time All-Star and two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant to contend. The Rockets finished second in the Conference only to be embarrassingly booted out by a more experienced Golden State team in the first round. Outside of Durant, the Rockets also brought in veteran center Clint Capela and forward Dorian Finney-Smith to round out their roster. Despite Green’s departure, the Rockets are loaded with young stars namely Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith, Jr. Look to the Rockets to be the dark horse in the West.
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4. Minnesota Timberwolves – The Timberwolves got slightly worse with the departure of rotation swingman Nickeil Alexander-Walker but was able to retain their frontcourt namely Naz Reid and Julies Randle. The Timberwolves’ championship aspirations now rest on the young shoulders of Anthony Edwards, who has led his team to two Western Conference Finals appearances. Expectations are also high the team is not yet done with its line-up with new owners Marc Lore and baseball great Alex Rodriguez assuming ownership of the team. Look for this team to get Edwards more help although salary cap restrictions will begin to bite for this small-market team.