Every team in the Western Conference was involved in at least one trade prior to last week’s deadline. With so much activity and the standings so jumbled together (except at the top and bottom), now is a good time to take stock of where things currently stand out West for the teams that have a chance at making the postseason.
- Nuggets, 40-18 (28-11 vs. West)
- In: Thomas Bryant, Reggie Jackson (free agent addition after buyout)
- Out: Bones Hyland, Davon Reed
- Grizzlies, 34-22 (16-16)
- In: Luke Kennard
- Out: Danny Green
- Kings, 32-25 (20-13)
- In: Kessler Edwards (had an open roster spot)
- Suns, 32-27 (21-14)
- In: Kevin Durant, T.J. Warren, Darius Bazley, Terrence Ross (free agent addition after buyout)
- Out: Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Jae Crowder (wasn’t playing), Dario Saric
- Clippers, 32-28 (18-16)
In: Eric Gordon, Mason Plumlee, Bones Hyland- Out: Luke Kennard, Reggie Jackson, John Wall
- Mavericks, 31-28 (23-15)
- In: Kyrie Irving, Markieff Morris, Justin Holiday (free agent addition after buyout)
- Out: Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith
- Pelicans, 30-28 (19-14)
- In: Josh Richardson
- Out: Devonte’ Graham
- Timberwolves, 31-29 (22-19)
- In: Mike Conley, Nickeil Alexander-Walker
- Out: D’Angelo Russell, Bryn Forbes (waived)
- Warriors, 29-29 (17-14)
- In: Gary Payton II (injured)
- Out: James Wiseman
- Jazz, 29-30 (19-17)
- In: Russell Westbrook (away from team), Damian Jones, Juan Toscano-Anderson
- Out: Mike Conley, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt
- Trail Blazers, 28-30 (20-16)
- In: Cam Reddish, Matisse Thybulle, Ryan Arcidiacono, Kevin Knox
- Out: Josh Hart, Gary Payton II
- Thunder, 27-29 (14-17)
- In: Dario Saric, Eugene Omoruyi (promoted from two-way deal)
- Out: Darius Bazley, Mike Muscala
- Lakers, 26-32 (13-20)
- In: Rui Hachimura, Davon Reed, D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Mohamed Bamba
- Out: Kendrick Nunn, Russell Westbrook, Damian Jones, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Thomas Bryant, Patrick Beverley
Phoenix made the biggest splash, trading for superstar forward Durant (MCL sprain), who won’t make his Suns debut until after the All-Star break. The Mavericks got a second star to pair with Luka Doncic in Irving, though he can be mercurial. The Clippers bolstered their guard depth and added a traditional backup center in Plumlee.
Golden State dealt away its former second overall pick and brought back a familiar face to try and defend its title, but discovered that Payton was injured and will miss a significant amount of time. The Wolves swapped out point guards, preferring Conley’s veteran leadership and additional year of team control to Russell’s expiring deal.
The Lakers completely reshaped their roster, but with only 24 games remaining, they’re running out of time to make up ground in the standings. The Jazz were a seller, but they have exceeded expectations all season and hold a half-game lead on the Blazers and Thunder for the final spot in the play-in tournament.
The top three seeds were all relatively quiet at the deadline, particularly the Kings, who only made one very minor trade. It’s understandable why the Nuggets and Grizzlies were confident in their teams, given their respective places in the standings.
After starting the season 14-10, the Nuggets have gone 26-8 over their past 34 games. They hold a five-game lead over Memphis for the top seed in the West and currently have a 26-4 home record in 2022/23 — home court advantage could be a big deal for Denver in the playoffs.
We want to know what you think. Which team will represent the Western Conference in the NBA Finals?
Vote in our poll, then head to the comment section to weigh in with your predictions.
Sonics.
Steve this is not a discussion about your favorite fast food restaurants. This is NBA Western Conference champions.
Seriously Gary. OKC has a spot in the playoffs right now. Teams can go on a tear in the playoffs. Why do you want to piss on a fan?
OkC is awesome. Love them. Just cracking a joke and I don’t think it would piss Steve off, he’s a cool dude on here. Very reasonable.
I love Sonic too, great shakes. Lighten up. You’re always grumpy.
No, Steve is right, it’s the Sonics for sure. The Lakers have enough votes to rank them 4th in this guess-a-thon and the Sonics have a far better team.
Meadowlark I’d buy into that. Good call.
This poll proves that the Clippers popularity n LA is below the LA Kings. Too funny
Healthy, Suns all day. Even though I don’t like KD or Chris Paul. It’s the truth.
But outside of that, I got to put my money on Curry. He’s the best player since Kobe.
The dark horse team is the Mavs. The time period from now until the finals may be short enough Kyrie can maintain stability. If so, they tough to beat.
My money is on the not Warriors. Embodiment of mediocrity this year. Can’t even bring myself to watch the games all the way through right now.
Everything has to line up perfectly for the Warriors to have a chance to win the west. The bench was mostly made up of 30-year-old guys last year and 22-year-olds this year pretty much. That’s a huge difference in experience and definitely shows in the playoffs.
They have to stay totally healthy and cut the rotation down to seven or eight guys to swing it this year. The West is way too tough and if one of the Warriors plays poorly, gets hurt, or anything like that it’s over.
I would say either Phoenix or Denver comes out of the West and that’s barring any injury. Leaning Phoenix because I think they have more pieces and necessary areas covered. Perhaps somebody like Michael Porter Jr shooting cools off and his lack of Defense exposed could be a difference?
It ain’t gonna happen. There is no route for the Warriors to get better. They need to do some serious tanking now. They are to hamstrung by salaries and a lack of young players. It is definitely lottery time for the Warriors. They will definitely regret trading Wiseman.
Yes you could be right. But I think the chances are better to go for it than to call it a season. Curry is still top 5 player in the entire league and with him anything is possible.
Every vote for the lakers is a non serious joke vote
Rockets
Actually I think your focus this year should be on the Cougars. What are they ranked, number three? Having a good season. Can’t wait till the tournament.
“Who’s house?”
Who is a souse?
The Carolina Cougars! Larry Brown, Billy Cunningham, Doug Moe, Jumpin’ Joe Caldwell.
I have the Nuggets- but mostly because I think the Suns need about 10 more games to have the time to do it.
Are we saying which team will finish with the one seed? or which team will win the Western Conference Finals? Because those are two very different questions. I think Phoenix will be in the NBA Finals, but they don’t have enough time left in the regular season to make up nine losses to overtake Denver.
Wish this whole thing was worded differently.
Hope this helps.
From the article-“We want to know what you think. Which team will represent the Western Conference in the NBA Finals?”
I know we all want to see our favourite team win a title, but come on, the Lakers have the 4th most votes so far?! Anyone who thinks the Lakers will rep the West in the Finals is nuts.
I’m a Knicks fan, but when they post the same poll for the East, I’m realistic enough that I wouldn’t for the them.
No love for the Grizzlies
I hear you but they need to take the next step so to speak. Even though they were on the doorstep last season there’s something about them maybe it’s the youth, that they need to be there a couple of years in a row. Be Challengers for the West Be championship contenders.
I wouldn’t be surprised if they make it to the Western Conference Finals but I do think that’s a post that must be tagged first before advancing further. Just seems part of the process for a team to go through.
For instance I think the Celtics probably win it this year. I know we’re not talking about the East but because they were on the championship doorstep last year that helps them cross that line mentally this year. Well that and they’re stacked LOL
Most of these guys are completely clueless.
I wouldn’t say clueless. I would say there’s nothing wrong with checking in a vote for your favorite team even if they have a lesser chance. It’s something a fan does and doesn’t necessarily mean they’re Clueless.
Can’t believe anyone seriously thinks that PHO can win the WC!!! SMH!!!
DEN has won it long ago dudes!
Over 50% voting are drunk
I think I agree with you but rather on the Friday night and Saturday night messages. There’s some doozies on the weekend. But I guess there’s some happy hour participants during the week too lol.
El Don Always Wrong, I respect your opinion and it could very well be Denver but is it so cut and dried as you suggest?
Your Proclamation really dampers your standing here as a serious contributor. What happens when Phoenix comes out of the west? Everything you say will be Cast Away as rubbish. Even if Denver comes out of the West you won’t be considered knowledgeable, just lucky on a 50/50 call.
Well that and the fact you give yourself a thumbs up every single post you make. That by itself cuts into the fact we can’t take you seriously. But who am I? Continue on and keep us entertained.
A serious contributor in this sewing circle? Rock your chair faster.
Suns, Nuggets, or Griz win the West.
It will all come down to health in the playoffs for all 3 teams.
Can’t remember a playoffs without injuries affecting the outcome.
Thumbs up and I agree with you on the health. Whoever stays healthy will come out of the West. Been a fact the last few years.
But come on you can’t pick those 3 teams and think you’re making a statement. Choose one, go out on a limb.
Joker for MVPx3