The 2025-26 regular season starts in a little over a month. All 30 NBA teams will soon prepare for the new campaign. It’s time to look around the Western Conference, as this year will surely be another jam-packed race among several teams.

Over the next few days, Thunder Wire will rank the 15 West starters among the five positions. Let’s look at the 15 best starting point guards in the Western Conference.

The Oklahoma City Thunder couldn’t have won an NBA championship without Chet Holmgren. He was their third-best player in their playoff run. Even though a hip fracture plagued his regular season, what he did after his return made up for lost time.

Here are the rankings for each West starting power forwards:

1. Anthony Davis, Mavericks

2024-25 stats: 24.7 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 3.5 APG, 51.6% shooting, 28.2% 3-point shooting in 51 games

Part of one of the most shocking trades in NBA history, Davis didn’t receive the love he should’ve. He’s still one of the league’s best players, barring health. That’s been his story since he joined in 2012. The 32-year-old is a sure-fire Hall-of-Famer, but injuries have plagued him his entire career. But when healthy, he’s a double-double machine and one of the best rim protectors. The Mavericks’ entire plan to remain a contender in the post-Luka era revolves around Davis. The perennial All-Star had an awesome Lakers tenure that featured a championship. He’s proven to be a guy you can build around.

2. Draymond Green, Warriors

2024-25 stats: 9.0 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 5.6 APG, 42.4% shooting, 32.5% 3-point shooting in 68 games

Despite all the headaches he produces, Green is still worth it to the Warriors. The future Hall-of-Famer continues to be one of the league’s best defensive players. He finished third in DPOY and was on an All-Defense Team last season. Pedestrian box score stats not painting the full picture has always been his story. If you look at the advanced metrics, they love what the 35-year-old does on the court. The four-time NBA champion is one of the greatest defensive players the league has ever seen.

3. Chet Holmgren, Thunder

2024-25 stats: 15.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 49% shooting, 37.9% 3-point shooting in 32 games

The theme of Holmgren’s season was what-if. A hip fracture completely altered what could’ve been his first All-Star bid. Instead, it was another season plagued by an injury. But the 23-year-old salvaged his year with a productive playoff run and a championship. He learned to play his new position of power forward. Paired with Isaiah Hartenstein, the double-big lineup is what led OKC to the Larry O’Brien trophy. Holmgren still has plenty of room to grow, especially on the offensive end. If he can stay healthy, he should be in the conversation for an All-Star appearance.

4. Jaren Jackson Jr., Grizzlies

2024-25 stats: 22.2 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.0 APG, 48.8% shooting, 37.5% 3-point shooting in 74 games

Being the one constant for years, Jackson Jr. established himself as the Grizzlies’ best player. He has been one of the best defensive players since entering the league. He’s one of the best at racking up blocks. That continued this past season. The 25-year-old gave you an efficient 22-plus points while being able to stretch the floor. Even with Memphis being a mess, he continues to produce at a consistent level. Despite hitting the soft rebuild button, he was locked up to a long-term extension this offseason.

5. Trey Murphy III, Pelicans

2024-25 stats: 21.2 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.5 APG, 45.4% shooting, 36.1% 3-point shooting in 53 games

The biggest bright spot in a forgettable season, Murphy’s leap has wrinkled what the Pelicans’ long-term plans could be in a positive way. After being one of the best role players for three years, he took advantage of the extra reps and became a 20-point scorer. He averaged career bests across the board and even made a higher volume outside shooter. A shoulder injury cut his campaign short, but he had a breakout season that at least gives New Orleans another premier talent. It’s now about whether or not he’s a long-term stay there.

6. Aaron Gordon, Nuggets

2024-25 stats: 14.7 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.2 APG, 53.1% shooting, 43.6% 3-point shooting in 51 games

The Nuggets’ window is now. Even though they lost in Round 2, a seven-game series against the eventual NBA champions gives them hope they’re close. For that to happen, they’ll need another productive season from Gordon. He’s their third-best player. The 29-year-old has accustomed himself to Denver. He’s a constant scoring threat who’s learned to shoot from the outside as his superb athleticism has slowly declined over the years.

7. Lauri Markkanen, Jazz

2024-25 stats: 19.0 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.5 APG, 42.3% shooting, 34.6% 3-point shooting in 47 games

Speaking of improving their trade value, Markkanen is in a prime position to do so. Once viewed as an All-Star, he’s slowly been lost in the shuffle in Utah. His numbers have decreased since his Most Improved Player campaign, but there’s still hope he can be one of the better frontcourt players moving in the near future. The 28-year-old has a nice blend of size and shooting. Let’s see if the Jazz can finally move on from him as they fully embark on a rebuild with a roster littered with young players.

8. Julius Randle, Timberwolves

2024-25 stats: 18.7 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 4.7 APG, 48.5% shooting, 34.4% 3-point shooting in 69 games

Part of a shocking Karl-Anthony Towns trade, the Timberwolves saw some immediate help from the deal. Randle surprisingly fit well in Minnesota. He allowed Anthony Edwards to ascend as the no-doubt best player. He was a respectable second option. He was a nice mix of bully-ball and outside shooter. After another Western Conference Finals trip, he was awarded a $100 million contract extension. There were questions about whether he could be a long-term piece on a contender. A career season showed he can be a viable starter on a winning squad.

9. Jabari Smith Jr., Rockets

2024-25 stats: 12.2 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 1.1 APG, 43.8% shooting, 35.4% 3-point shooting in 57 games

Even though Smith Jr. might not be the franchise-altering player usually associated with a No. 3 pick, he’s carved out a solid role on the Rockets. He can stretch the floor and rebound the ball well. His starting spot fluctuated last season, but Houston’s offseason moves have cleared a path for him to return as a starter. The 22-year-old still has room to grow, but if he stays just a catch-and-shoot threat, there will be plenty of quality looks he’ll get just from the attention Kevin Durant receives.

10. John Collins, Clippers

2024-25 stats: 19.0 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 2.0 APG, 52.7% shooting, 39.9% 3-point shooting in 40 games

After spending the last two seasons on a rebuild, Collins is ready to play meaningful basketball again. He took advantage of the extra reps in Utah and produced one of his better seasons. The Clippers liked what they saw and acquired him in a trade to be their Norman Powell replacement. He’s a perfect lob threat and pick-and-roll partner for James Harden. The 27-year-old has also gradually added an outside shot. He’ll be a fine addition in LA with a room full of veterans.

11. Rui Hachimura, Lakers

2024-25 stats: 13.1 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 1.4 APG, 50.9% shooting, 41.3% 3-point shooting in 59 games

Since arriving at the Lakers, Hachimura has been a mainstay frontcourt starter. Expect that to continue. He’s averaged a solid 13 points the last two seasons and has turned into a decent volume outside shooter. He has solid size for his position. The advanced metrics love what he does in Los Angeles. Considering how top-heavy their roster is, they will need all of their starters to pull their weight. For Hachimura, that means being able to hit open shots and stay a consistent scorer.

12. Keegan Murray, Kings

2024-25 stats: 12.4 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.4 APG, 44.4% shooting, 34.3% 3-point shooting in 76 games

After a rocking rookie campaign, Murray has descended over the last two seasons. His abnormal developmental path has been one of the more underrated reasons for the Kings’ downfall. The 25-year-old hopes to get back on track this season with his outside shooting numbers returning to normal. It’s been a perplexing last two years. Sacramento needs him to return to being its best catch-and-shoot threat. If he can’t, he likely won’t be a starter for much longer.

13. Jerami Grant, Trail Blazers

2024-25 stats: 14.4 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.1 APG, 37.3% shooting, 36.5% 3-point shooting in 47 games

While the Trail Blazers collected losses, Grant collected stats. He’s had the chance to be Portland’s best player over the last three seasons. While the efficiency numbers aren’t great, he’s come a long way from being a raw second-round project who was on the verge of being out of the league. Now it’ll be interesting to see how the 31-year-old factors into a hopeful winning situation. He hasn’t been in the playoffs since 2020, when he was a role player on the Nuggets. Let’s see if he can play a smaller role for the betterment of the team.

14. Harrison Barnes, Spurs

2024-25 stats: 12.3 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.7 APG, 50.8% shooting, 43.3% 3-point shooting in 82 games

For over a decade, Barnes has been one of the more reliable players in the NBA. You know exactly what you’ll get out of him every season. A double-digit scorer who seldom misses time. He’s also a quality medium-volume outside shooter. The 32-year-old has played in all 82 games for three straight seasons. A rare feat in today’s game when teams value rest over regular-season results. That’s the type of veteran stability the Spurs need as they hope their young roster learns on the job.

15. Ryan Dunn, Suns

2024-25 stats: 6.9 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 0.8 APG, 43% shooting, 31.1% 3-point shooting in 74 games

Eventually winning the starting job last season, the Suns will rely on Dunn even more in his upcoming season. Expect him to be a starter. He’s a plus-defender but has serious question marks on offense. Especially with his outside shot. All expectations have been lifted off of Phoenix’s shoulders. Instead, it will enter the new season with the hope of being a competitive squad. It’s a low bar to clear, but something that has been missed over the years.