Unless teams like the Nuggets, the Wolves, the Rockets, or, to a lesser extent, the Lakers, raise some doubts, everything seems to indicate that the Western Conference is heading toward a new final between the Spurs and the Thunder.
And in that battle, the Texans start with an advantage, having strengthened their extraordinary roster—the one that played in the NBA Finals—with TobiasHarris, while Oklahoma continue searching for the balance between saving money and competitiveness. For San Antonio, the Finals arrived ahead of schedule, but 2027 could already be their moment. Their leader, VictorWembanyama, could even become the fifth non-American player to win the MVP consecutively.
Although there were some changes to the roster, with the departure of Klay Thompson and the arrival of Santi Aldama, the biggest developments for the Mavs came in the front office. The acquisition of Masai Ujiri gives the team the architect of the Toronto Raptors' 2019 title. And his first decision was to part ways with Jason Kidd and bring in a breath of fresh air in Dusty May, former coach of the NCAA champion Michigan Wolverines . This year's Mavs will have a strong Spanish presence with Santi Aldama, a veteran expected to make an immediate impact, as is Marcus Sasser, and with Sergiode Larrea, who could see plenty of time on the court. The season will depend on how well Kyrie Irving has recovered.
Renewals: Moussa Cissé (two years) and Naji Marshall (three years).
Additions: Santi Aldama (traded from the Grizzlies), Tarik Biberović (two years), Zaccharie Risacher and Marcus Sasser (traded from the Pistons).
Departures: Marvin Bagley III (free agent to the Nuggets), AJ Johnson (traded to the Grizzlies), Khris Middleton (traded to the Wizards), Ryan Nembhard, Klay Thompson (free agent to the Heat) and Brandon Williams (free agent to the Warriors).
Roster: Santi Aldama, Tarik Biberovic, Max Christie, Moussa Cisse, Sergio de Larrea, Cooper Flagg, Daniel Gafford, Jett Howard, Kyrie Irving, Morez Johnson Jr., Tobi Lawal, Dereck Lively II, Naji Marshall, Caleb Martin, Zaccharie Risacher, Marcus Sasser and P.J. Washington.
Possible starting five: K. Irving, M. Christie, C. Flagg, P. Washington and D. Lively II.
Coach: Dusty May.
Far from strengthening their roster, the Nuggets' efforts in the preseason focused on trying to retain Peyton Watson, something they were unable to do. The loss of the promising 24-year-old forward has left a significant gap in an expensive roster and raised concern in the front office about trying to avoid being above the second apron of the salary cap again.
Athletically, another scorer arrives, DeMar DeRozan, who should ease those duties for Jokic and Murray. The pair will continue to be the barometer of a team that aspires to win the championship again (before the Jokic era runs out), despite the initial disadvantage against Thunder and Spurs in the West.
Renewals: Tyus Jones (one year) and Spencer Jones (two years).
Additions: Marvin Bagley III (one year), DeMar DeRozan (one year) and Alpha Diallo (one year).
Departures: Tim Hardaway Jr. (free agent to the Heat) and Peyton Watson (traded to the Cavs).
Roster: Marvin Bagley III, Christian Braun, Trevon Brazile, DeMar DeRozan, Alpha Diallo, Aaron Gordon, DaRon Holmes II, Bryce Hopkins, Cameron Johnson, Nikola Jokic, Spencer Jones, Tyus Jones, Jamal Murray, Ryan Nembhard, Zeke Nnaji, Julian Strawther and Cam Whitmore.
Possible starting five: J. Murray, C. Braun, C. Johnson, A. Gordon and N. Jokic.
Coach: David Adelman.
The Warriors officially decided to delay the start of any rebuilding process with the contract extension for Stephen Curry. The veteran point guard will continue to be the player the project relies on, helped by other veterans such as Jimmy Butler, Al Horford, Draymond Green, and Kristaps Porzingis. That said, they managed to protect their future Draft picks and will soon have cap space. But as far as the present is concerned, the team will try to improve on last year's 37 wins in an attempt to avoid having to go through the Play-In. Although climbing higher than eighth place may be more than a complicated goal.
Renewals: Charles Bassey (one year), Stephen Curry (two years), Draymond Green (one year), Al Horford (two years), De’Anthony Melton (two years), Gary Payton II (one year), Brandin Podziemski (five years), and Kristaps Porziņģis (two years).
Additions: Georges Niang (one year) and Brandon Williams (one year).
Departures: Quinten Post (free agent to the Grizzlies).
Roster: Charles Bassey, Jimmy Butler III, LJ Cryer, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Al Horford, Graham Ike, Yaxel Lendeborg, Malevy Leons, De"Anthony Melton, Moses Moody, Georges Niang, Gary Payton II, Brandin Podziemski, Kristaps Porzingis, Will Richard, Gui Santos and Brandon Williams.
Possible starting five: S. Curry, B. Podziemski, Y. Lendeborg, D. Green and K. Porzingis.
Coach: Steve Kerr.
The Rockets have spent two years exiting the League through the back door, which means first-round Playoff elimination. Especially harsh was the one two years ago, when despite having the second-best record in the West, they were eliminated by the seventh seed, GoldenState. Out of those two disappointments, a team has grown that could try to join the battle between the Spurs and the Thunder for the conference throne. They re-signed Tari Eason for a little over 80 million and added two veterans to their roster in Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic. They start out on the second tier of favorites in the West.
Extensions: Isaiah Crawford (four years), Tari Eason (five years), Jae’sean Tate (one year) and Amen Thompson (five years).
Additions: Bogdan Bogdanović and Marcus Smart.
Departures: Dorian Finney-Smith and Josh Okogie (free agent to the Jazz).
Roster: Steven Adams, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Clint Capela, Quadir Copeland, Isaiah Crawford, Kevin Durant, Tari Eason, Sean Pedulla, Julian Phillips, Alperen Sengun, Reed Sheppard, Marcus Smart, Jabari Smith Jr., Jae"Sean Tate, Amen Thompson, Bruce Thornton, Oscar Tshiebwe and Fred VanVleet.
Possible starting five: F. VanVleet, A. Thompson, K. Durant, J. Smith Jr. and A. Sengun.
Coach: Ime Udoka.
Little by little, the Clippers have changed their landscape until becoming an unrecognizable team. This season they took another step with the trade of Kawhi Leonard to the Raptors. That move kept them very distracted while the cheating committed regarding the salary cap was being investigated. In exchange for Kawhi they get Brandon Ingram, a player as talented as he is disappointing and unreliable, and they acquired Rai Hachimura who may find with the neighboring L.A. the leading role he was asking for with the Lakers. And Bradley Beal remains, who declined a contract extension offer in June to explore the free agent market and ended up re-signing with the Clippers. NBA things.
Renewals: Bradley Beal (two years), Jordan Miller (three years), and Kobe Sanders (four years).
Additions: Johni Broome (traded from the Sixers), Gradey Dick (traded from the Raptors), Rui Hachimura, Brandon Ingram (traded from the Raptors) and Max Strus (traded from the Cavs).
Departures: Bogdan Bogdanović (free agent to the Rockets), John Collins (traded to the Pistons), Kawhi Leonard (traded to the Raptors), and Bennedict Mathurin (Pelicans).
Roster: Bradley Beal, Cam Christie, Gradey Dick, Kris Dunn, Darius Garland, Rui Hachimura, Brandon Ingram, Isaiah Jackson, Derrick Jones Jr., Brook Lopez, Nick Martinelli, Baba Miller, Jordan Miller, Yanic Konan Niederhauser, Jalen Pickett, Kobe Sanders, Max Strus and Keaton Wagler.
Possible starting five: D. Garland, K. Wagler, D. Jones Jr., R. Hachimura and I. Jackson.
Coach: Tyronn Lue.
In just a couple of days, between when LeBron said he would stay and announced his decision to leave, the Lakers had to change their policy to declare Luka Doncic as the only true superstar. The Slovenian remains as the supreme leader and everything will revolve around him. But the Lakers have been a very active team in the market. They pulled out all the stops to be able to sign a center, Kessler, and they brought in Looney, Mamukelashvili, Sexton, Thybulle and Williams, to try to surround their great leader with good pieces. It will be Year I after LeBron with a new king on the team. Luka has already had one of his wishes fulfilled with the extension of Reaves. The change of ownership with the sale of the team also caused its own distraction during one of the busiest offseasons in franchise history. And at least at the start, the most optimistic see the team fighting for the conference finals.
Renewals: Austin Reaves (four years).
Additions: Quentin Grimes (four years), Jaden Hardy (traded from the Wizards), Walker Kessler (traded from the Jazz), Kevon Looney, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Sexton, Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams.
Departures: Deandre Ayton (traded to the Wizards), Rui Hachimura (free agent to the Clippers), Jaxson Hayes (free agent to the Jazz), LeBron James (free agent to the Sixers), Luke Kennard (free agent to the Suns), and Marcus Smart (free agent to the Rockets).
Roster: Cameron Carr, Luka Doncic, Quentin Grimes, Jaden Hardy, Bronny James, Arthur Kaluma, Walker Kessler, Dalton Knecht, Jake LaRavia, Kevon Looney, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Chris Manon, AK Okereke, Austin Reaves, Collin Sexton, Adou Thiero, Matisse Thybulle, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Ziaire Williams.
Possible starting five: L. Doncic, A. Reaves, Q. Grimes, J. LaRavia and W. Kessler.
Coach: JJ Redick.
An era of many shadows came to an end with the long-awaited trade of Ja Morant. The player who was supposed to lead the franchise’s past, present, and future projects ended up, for off-court reasons, sidelined and reduced to nothing. And the Grizzlies are already moving toward placing themselves in the hands of another young talent, rookie Cameron Boozer, the No. 3 pick in the Draft. In addition, Memphis also decided to trade Santi Aldama, so aside from Edey, the starting center, and the first rotations, there will be very little left that resembles the team’s recent past. Another year with 25 wins would be hard to endure.
Renewals: None.
Additions: Jerami Grant (traded from the Trail Blazers), Kris Murray (traded from the Trail Blazers), Micah Peavy (traded from the Pelicans), Quinten Post and Isaiah Stewart (traded from the Pistons).
Departures: Santi Aldama (traded to the Mavericks), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Taj Gibson (traded to the Pelicans) and Ja Morant (traded to the Trail Blazers).
Roster: Cameron Boozer, Walter Clayton Jr., Carson Cooper, Cedric Coward, Zach Edey, Jerami Grant, Taylor Hendricks, GG Jackson, Ty Jerome, Karim Lopez, Jahmai Mashack, Kris Murray, Micah Peavy, Scotty Pippen Jr., Quinten Post, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Javon Small, Cam Spencer, Isaiah Stewart and Jaylen Wells.
Possible starting five: T. Jerome, C. Coward, J. Wells, C. Boozer and Z. Edey.
Coach: Tuomas Iisalo.
Minnesota moves in the West one step below Thunder and Spurs and with the question of whether it will be able to lead the group of teams that want to disrupt that order. It remains a roster with at least 50 wins in its hands, and the radical change with the addition of LaMelo Ball could help it improve. Ball will form an explosive backcourt duo with AnthonyEdwards and could even make him even better. The question is how the departure of important players from last year such as Julius Randle, Nazr Reid and Mike Conley will impact the team. The arrival of Jonathan Kuminga should partly make up for those absences.
Renewals: Jaylen Clark, Ayo Dosunmu (four years) and Bones Hyland.
Additions: LaMelo Ball (traded from the Hornets), Jonathan Kuminga, Trey Lyles and Cody Williams (traded from the Jazz).
Departures: Kyle Anderson (free agent to the Raptors), Mike Conley (free agent to the Celtics), John Konchar (waived), Julius Randle (traded to the Nets) and Naz Reid (traded to the Hornets).
Roster: LaMelo Ball, Joan Beringer, Jaylen Clark, Donte DiVincenzo, Ayo Dosunmu, Anthony Edwards, Isaiah Evans, Rudy Gobert, Bones Hyland, Jonathan Kuminga, Trey Lyles, Jaden McDaniels, Zyon Pullin, Terrence Shannon Jr., Cody Williams and Rocco Zikarsky.
Possible starting five: L. Ball, A. Edwards, J. Kuminga, J. McDaniels and R. Gobert.
Coach: Chris Finch.
Little can be expected from a team coming off winning 26 games the previous year and whose biggest change is at head coach. The arrival of Jamahl Mosley, the third coach since Joe Dumars took charge of the franchise in 2025, speaks to the instability of their projects. This year it will once again be as unreliable as its leader, Zion Williamson, who always raises doubts with his physical condition and his limited capacity for commitment. Even so, the signing of Mathurin adds physical power and points, but the present will be defined by recovering the best version of Dejounte Murray and the future by the growth of its young talents, especially Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen. With Mosley on board, the idea is to finally find an identity.
Renewals: Saddiq Bey (for years) and DeAndre Jordan (one year).
Additions: AJ Johnson (traded from the Grizzlies), Bennedict Mathurin and Trendon Watford.
Departures: Jordan Hawkins (traded to the Grizzlies), Kevon Looney (free agent to the Lakers) and Micah Peavy (traded to the Grizzlies).
Roster: Saddiq Bey, Malik Dia, Jeremiah Fears, AJ Johnson, Herbert Jones, DeAndre Jordan, Bennedict Mathurin, Karlo Matkovic, Bryce McGowens, Yves Missi, Trey Murphy III, Dejounte Murray, Jaron Pierre Jr., Jordan Poole, Derik Queen, Julian Reese, Trendon Watford and Zion Williamson.
"Possible starting five: D. Murray, T. Murphy III, H. Jones, Z. Williamson and Y. Missi.
Coach: Jamahl Mosley.
The champions from two seasons ago are walking a fine line between maintaining a roster capable of contending for the title and a healthy salary cap. Any wrong move will change the franchise’s outlook one way or the other. That is why the Thunder traded players such as Dort, Joe and Wiggins, eroding some of their potential in the second unit, while trusting in the development of players like Mitchell, Wallace and McCain. The arrival of Aday Mara is also exciting because of his great preseason, although the Spaniard will have to grow (in his game, of course). They keep their core starters, but the question is whether they have weakened their rotations enough that they cannot compete with the Spurs. In principle, they rank with San Antonio among the favorites.
Renewals: Isaiah Hartenstein (three years) and Kenrich Williams (one year).
Additions: Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz
Departures: Branden Carlson (free agent to the Trail Blazers), Luguentz Dort (traded to the Hawks), Isaiah Joe (traded to the Pistons) and Aaron Wiggins (traded to the Hawks).
Roster: Brooks Barnhizer, Alex Caruso, Josh Dix, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Isaiah Hartenstein, Chet Holmgren, Aday Mara, Jared McCain, Ajay Mitchell, Otega Oweh, Thomas Sorber, Bennett Stirtz, Nikola Topic, Cason Wallace, Jalen Williams, Jaylin Williams and Kenrich Williams.
Possible starting five: S. Gilgeous-Alexander, C. Wallace, J. Williams, C. Holmgren and I. Hartenstein.
Coach: Mark Daigneault.
After a surprising season with 45 wins, despite a quick Playoff exit, the Suns have had a busy summer focused mainly on renewals in an attempt to keep their roster intact. The arrivals should only bring positive things, such as that of Bridges, another points creator to pair with Booker, and that of Kennard, a fine shooter to stretch defenses. The bad news is in the infirmary with the injury to the newly re-signed Mark Williams , which will cause him to miss the first months of competition.
Renewals: Dillon Brooks (three years), Collin Gillespie (four years), Jordan Goodwin (three years), Haywood Highsmith (one year) and Mark Williams (three years).
Additions: Miles Bridges (traded from the Hormets), Luke Kennard and Koa Peat.
Departures: Grayson Allen (traded to the Hornets) and Royce O’Neale (traded to the Hornets).
Roster: Devin Booker, Jamaree Bouyea, Koby Brea, Miles Bridges, Dillon Brooks, Ryan Dunn, Rasheer Fleming, Collin Gillespie, Jordan Goodwin, Jalen Green, CJ Huntley, Oso Ighodaro, Luke Kennard, Khaman Maluach, Koa Peat, Duop Reath, Pat Spencer and Mark Williams.
Possible starting five: D. Booker, J. Green, D. Brooks, M. Bridges and O. Ighodaro.
Coach: Jordan Ott.
The Trail Blazers, not very active in the market and not at all in the Draft, are going to face two enormous gambles this season. The first is to see how much Damian Lillard has recovered, after sitting out his first year back in Portland. The second is to keep Ja Morant under control on and off the court, after he slipped out the back door of the Grizzlies where he was set to define an era. That, along with getting to know their third coach in 12 months, Micah Nori, will shape the season of a team that returned to the Playoffs after four years away but does not have its place guaranteed in the season that is now beginning.
Renewals: Robert Williams III (three years).
Additions: Branden Carlson. Ja Morant (traded from the Grizzlies), Micah Potter and Jeremy Sochan.
Departures: Jerami Grant (traded to the Grizzlies), Kris Murray (traded to the Grizzlies) and Matisse Thybulle (free agent to the Lakers).
Roster: Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara, Branden Carlson, Sidy Cissoko, Donovan Clingan, Yang Hansen, Scoot Henderson, Jrue Holiday, Jayson Kent, Vit Krejci, Damian Lillard, Ja Morant, Micah Potter, Shaedon Sharpe, John Tonje, Robert Williams III and Chris Youngblood.
Possible starting five: D. Lillard, J. Morant, T. Camara, D. Avdija and D. Clingan.
Coach: Micah Nori.
The Kings, with 22 wins last season, will face another season with many defeats and with their hopes pinned on the younger players and their development. Meanwhile, they will pray that players like LaVine, Sabonis or Murray do not miss many games through injury, as happened last season, and that Simmons, one of their bets on the market, fits into the team as soon as possible.
Renewals: Precious Achiuwa (two years) and Daeqwon Plowden (two years).
Additions: Ben Simmons.
Departures: Devin Carter (traded to the Hawks) and DeMar DeRozan (free agent to the Nuggets).
Roster: Precious Achiuwa, Darius Acuff Jr., Leaky Black, Dylan Cardwell, Nique Clifford, Adam Flagler, De"Andre Hunter, Alex Karaban, Zach LaVine, Jonathan Mogbo, Malik Monk, Keegan Murray, Daeqwon Plowden, Maxime Raynaud, Domantas Sabonis, Emanuel Sharp and Ben Simmons.
Possible starting five: B. Simmons, D. Acuff Jr., Z. LaVine, K. Murray and D. Sabonis.
Coach: Doug Christie.
When a team reaches the Conference Finals and plays in the Finals and not only does it not weaken its roster but actually strengthens it, it automatically becomes the clear favorite to make it back to the championship stage. The Spurs have taken several steps toward their immediate future with the signing of Tobias Harris, who can step straight into the starting lineup, and many more toward their medium- and long-term future with the five-year extension of Victor Wembanyama, a hugely significant strategic move. Last year, the Finals may have come a little too soon for them. This year they will be better prepared and more dangerous.
Renewals: Harrison Barnes (one year), Julian Champagnie (three years), Jordan McLaughlin (one year) and Victor Wembanyama (five years).
Additions: Tobias Harris (two years).
Absences: None.
Roster: Harrison Barnes, Maliq Brown, Carter Bryant, Stephon Castle, Julian Champagnie, De"Aaron Fox, Ja"Kobi Gillespie, Dylan Harper, Tobias Harris, Keldon Johnson, David Jones Garcia, Luke Kornet, Jordan McLaughlin, Jayden Quaintance, Tarris Reed Jr., Devin Vassell and Victor Wembanyama.
Possible starting five: D. Fox, S. Castle, D. Vassell, T. Harris, and V. Wembanyama.
Coach: Mitch Johnson.
The Jazz benefited greatly in the Draft with that second pick, which they used to select a player who is going to generate a lot of buzz this season, Darryn Peterson, and who in a few years will be the face of this team. There are more young players to trust with Salt Lake’s rebuilding project, Markkanen, Jackson, George, are building blocks with which the Jazz can dream in the short term. For the immediate future, the team will be in a position to improve on last year’s 22 wins and perhaps get involved in some kind of battle for the Play-In.
Renewals: Mo Bamba (two years), Keyonte George (five years) and Jusuf Nurkić (two years).
Additions: Josh Green (traded from the Wolves), Jaxson Hayes and Josh Okogie.
Departures: Walker Kessler (traded to the Lakers) and Cody Williams (traded to the Wolves).
Roster: Trey Alexander, Ace Bailey, Mo Bamba, Tony Bradley, Isaiah Collier, Kyle Filipowski, Keyonte George, Josh Green, Jaxson Hayes, Blake Hinson, Harrison Ingram, Jaren Jackson Jr., Lauri Markkanen, Svi Mykhailiuk, Jusuf Nurkic, Josh Okogie, Darryn Peterson and Brice Sensabaugh.
Possible starting five: K. George, D. Peterson, A. Bailey, L. Markkanen and J. Jackson Jr.
Coach: Will Hardy.