NBA 2026-27 season preview: Burning questions within the Western Conference

The gold rush has come to an finish. The period of cowboys and ranchers and frontiersmen scouring the lands of the Louisiana Purchase is within the rearview mirror; future has been manifested, and lawlessness has been stifled west of the Mississippi. The Wild West has been tamed.

A time of unpredictability — with seven totally different groups advancing to the NBA Finals within the final seven years — appears to have been steadied, with groups just like the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs rising from the rubble.

Well, that is the way it appears on the outset of the 2026-27 season, on the very least. Wild playing cards could all the time emerge. Who can usher in a brand new period in an extremely fast-moving convention and league?

82 video games depart loads of room for surprises and questions.

So, with the season set to tip off — as Victor Wembanyama seeks redemption or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander appears for an MVP threepeat — this is a have a look at the largest questions dealing with each crew within the not-as-wild-but-still-pretty-crazy West.

Dallas Mavericks: What bounce ought to we count on from Cooper Flagg in Year 2?

In his last 27 video games, Flagg asserted himself because the rookie of the 12 months, averaging 24.7 factors, 7.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks. He proved he wasn’t solely a defensive stud, however a solar-system participant the Mavericks can form their offence round, as evidenced by a 51-point explosion in an early-April barnburner towards Orlando.

So what extra does he should show? Well, the Mavericks went 5-22 over that stretch, and new head coach Dusty May — coming off a nationwide championship at Michigan — and president Masai Ujiri aren’t recognized for shedding.

Flagg racked up the person accolades in his first 12 months, however with a brand new coach, entrance workplace, and co-partner in Kyrie Irving — set to return from an ACL tear that sidelined him final 12 months — it is time for him and the Mavericks to rack up crew accolades, specifically wins.

Denver Nuggets: Will lack of strikes lead to one other misplaced 12 months for Nikola Jokic?

When the Nuggets climbed the mountain in 2023, many have been fast to herald a brand new period with the Jokic at its peak. But three seasons have come and gone, and the Nuggets have didn’t advance previous the second spherical of the playoffs, capped by a first-round exit to the Timberwolves final April.

Now 31, Jokic’s star hasn’t stopped shining. But in case you have a look at the Nuggets’ strikes since successful the title, nothing suggests they consider they’ve nonetheless bought the very best participant within the NBA on their fingers. Once once more, the Nuggets have misplaced greater than they’ve added this low season, shedding breakout wing Peyton Watson and solely bringing in DeMar DeRozan to switch him.

Jokic was eligible for an extension this summer time, however opted to attend till subsequent summer time to as a substitute pen a five-year, $359.5 million max contract. Though he is mentioned that he plans to re-sign in Denver “if they want me,” rather a lot can change between every now and then, and one other misplaced 12 months tormented by an absence of front-office exercise may not assist.

Golden State Warriors: Will Warriors remorse not taking advantage of Steph Curry’s twilight years?

Nowadays, it is a rarity to see a famous person keep on with one franchise over his profession, however Curry might buck that development after signing a two-year, $116 million contract in September. But very similar to Kobe Bryant’s autumn of NBA life within the 2010s, the Warriors look stalled and overencumbered by age, monetary restrictions and accidents.

It’s robust to examine an upward transfer for the Warriors this season, with Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and Kristaps Porzingis taking on a mixed $104 million. Though the primary two hit the open market subsequent 12 months, the latter has a $20 million participant possibility in 2027-28, and not one of the three appear to be priceless commerce items as a result of well being and price.

The marksman’s legacy is safe in each the Bay and throughout the NBA, however is a Golden Girls reboot in Golden State actually what the franchise famous person deserves close to the tip?

Houston Rockets: Can Fred VanVleet’s return stabilize the purpose guard spot?

When Kevin Durant joined the Rockets final summer time, many penned them as potential contenders. That was till they misplaced VanVleet to a torn ACL earlier than the season, sending their lead-guard spot into disarray.

Third-year guard Amen Thompson stuffed in admirably, driving the play together with his athleticism, however a 21.6 three-point proportion will not lower it if he is to be a major risk. Sophomore Reed Sheppard additionally bought some appears in his 21 begins, however was relegated to a bench position as a result of his defence. On paper, VanVleet can shore up these holes.

While not the No. 1 possibility, VanVleet, at his finest, gives the Rockets with a tempo-setter on offence, able to setting the crew up within the halfcourt and directing visitors. If the Rockets need to discover consistency on that finish after a disappointing first-round exit, VanVleet might be the important thing.

Los Angeles Clippers: Can Clippers keep afloat as bleak future looms?

It’s exhausting to examine the Kawhi Leonard period having gone any worse for the Clippers, ending his seven-year tenure and not using a Finals look, a $30 million high-quality and a pillaging of draft capital.

Without a lot of a approach out within the coming years, the Clippers must construct internally, leaning on gamers like Darius Garland — acquired for James Harden forward of the deadline final 12 months — Brandon Ingram, and rookie Keaton Wagler, who will possible be the crew’s final excessive choose for a number of years barring trades.

It’s not a horrible roster in a murky-middle West, and the 26-year-old Garland represents a strong basis, however the Clippers discover themselves in limbo and will very effectively be there for a while.

Los Angeles Lakers: Was Walker Kessler the fitting big-money transfer for Luka Doncic?

As the franchise has all the time completed, the Lakers prioritized preserving their star joyful. In an effort to actually construct round Doncic, Los Angeles acquired Kessler, a dominant at-rim finisher and shot blocker match to enhance the Slovenian famous person on offence and shield him on defence.

But it is value asking if the price was too steep. The Lakers gave up two firsts and two first-round choose swaps, then signed the 25-year-old to a four-year, $130 million contract regardless of him by no means averaging greater than 15 factors in a season and taking part in solely 5 video games final 12 months as a result of harm.

Doncic has a preternatural capacity within the pick-and-roll, and the seven-foot-two Kessler is the vertical risk good for unlocking it, however with out way more room to maneuver, you must marvel if it is sufficient to show the Lakers right into a contender.

Memphis Grizzlies: What will rebuild round Cam Boozer appear to be?

The reigning Wooden Award winner for the very best participant in faculty hoops, Boozer appears like essentially the most polished participant out of his star-studded class. Boozer is a do-it-all wing match for at this time’s league, able to taking part in inside and out of doors the arc whereas displaying the court docket imaginative and prescient to arrange the remainder of the offence. Not a nasty turnaround for a crew that traded away its two greatest stars of the final half-decade in 2025-26.

Ja Morant all the time had his query marks. Despite his highlight-reel play, his harm historical past, off-the-court points and lack of outdoor taking pictures left a lot to be desired, making him a tricky piece to actually construct round.

Boozer is the alternative in each approach, displaying a maturity, versatility and construction that is smart as the primary piece to hold a rebuild.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Will the LaMelo Ball gamble repay?

Without a doubt, LaMelo Ball is among the most electrical gamers within the NBA, showcasing an offensive aptitude, swagger and inventive disposition emblematic of his overflowing confidence. But he is additionally performed greater than 70 video games in a season twice in his six-year profession, and final 12 months’s 72-game displaying feels extra the exception than the rule.

Incumbent famous person Anthony Edwards has wanted a real offensive operating mate for a while, begging for an additional ball-handler to share the load. Ball provides Minnesota simply that.

The T-Wolves will dominate all of the spotlight reels, as Edwards flies in with sky-cracking dunks and Ball together with his carefree lobs and court docket imaginative and prescient. Highlights alone do not get you a seat on the desk, but when there’s one crew that might be the Veronica to the Thunder, Spurs and Nuggets’ Heathers, it is Minnesota.

New Orleans Pelicans: Is this Zion Williamson’s final probability?

There may not be a tougher participant to give up on than Williamson. When he is good, he is nice. When he is dangerous… effectively, having suited up for lower than half of his 554 potential profession video games, let’s simply say he is not nice.

Williamson is a veritable freak of nature, a strolling paradox working because the league’s foremost wrecking ball whereas displaying the mid-air finesse of a ballerina throughout a jeté. He can hammer it residence with the very best of them and arrange offence as some extent ahead, however he is additionally Operation come to life, with extra illnesses than you may depend.

The Pelicans are constructing an attention-grabbing younger core round Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen. We noticed the Grizzlies transfer on from Morant final 12 months to concentrate on the youthful core; it is perhaps time for the Pelicans to do the identical with Williamson.

Oklahoma City Thunder: How does Jalen Williams bounce again after a misplaced season?

The Thunder ending 64-18 final 12 months regardless of Williams taking part in solely 33 video games — and looking out a step gradual for half of them — is a testomony to this crew’s depth and the sheer expertise of Gilgeous-Alexander. It’s arguably what netted the Canadian a second MVP.

But after lastly reaching the mountaintop in 2025, it is robust to border a Western Conference Finals exit as something however a disappointment contemplating their very own lofty expectations. Central to that defeat was Williams’ absence towards the Spurs, taking part in in three of seven video games and doing so severely hampered, ending with solely 54 minutes within the sequence.

It’s been a summer time of change in OKC because the entrance workplace grappled with the fact of aprons beneath the brand new CBA, buying and selling away Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins and Luguentz Dort to clear cap area. The margins are thinner, and Williams’ absence or presence will matter that rather more. OKC did not want Williams within the common season final 12 months; that will not be the identical this time round.

Phoenix Suns: What will be completed to assist Devin Booker?

Life within the NBA comes and goes immediately. Seven years in the past, Booker and the Suns have been up 2-0 on the Milwaukee Bucks within the NBA Finals. Now, the opportunity of Phoenix rising from the ashes could not be additional away.

The Arizona desert is drier than ever. The Suns really feel directionless, toiling away making parallel strikes after spending their draft capital on gamers like Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. Left of their place are guys like Dillon Brooks and Miles Bridges — not horrible gamers, however definitely not co-stars constructed for deep playoff runs alongside Booker.

Though he is locked up by way of the 2028-29 season, the trail to competition will get murkier by the 12 months, and if the 29-year-old needs to style aggressive basketball once more earlier than exiting his prime, it may not be a nasty thought to pressure the Suns’ hand. If not, at the very least he’ll be making upwards of $60 million subsequent season.

Portland Trail Blazers: How do all of the guards match collectively?

The Blazers discovered a successful system round Deni Avdija final season, operating their offence by way of the versatile wing and advancing to the post-season for the primary time since 2021. But just a few key adjustments to the backcourt will pressure Portland to alter its plan of assault this 12 months.

Not solely did the Blazers purchase Morant in a bargain-bin cope with the Grizzlies over the low season, however Damian Lillard can be set to reenter the fold after a 12 months off with an Achilles harm. While the 2 guards provide totally different ability units — Morant as a driver and Lillard as a traditionally nice spacer — it is robust to examine the 2 sharing a backcourt with their shared defensive deficiencies. Though Jrue Holiday shores a few of that up, he is coming into his age-36 season and tends to protect up towards forwards.

That’s not even to say former third-overall choose Scoot Henderson and fifth-year wing Shaedon Sharpe, who’s on monitor to return mid-season from a torn meniscus suffered within the low season. Two’s an organization, three’s a crowd, 4’s possibly a bit redundant.

Sacramento Kings: Can Darius Acuff be the saving grace?

That 2022-23 season, the one time the Kings have made the playoffs within the final 20 years, feels extra like an anomaly than ever. A predestined lottery crew, the Kings have cycled by way of excessive picks, unable to scout, develop or nurture the fitting expertise, and the Tyrese Haliburton commerce continues to hang-out them.

Their hopes now reside within the fingers of the six-foot-two, dynamic Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr., who’s already made fairly the impression in pre-season after an inefficient Summer League. The 19-year-old can have each alternative to shine in his rookie season, and opened his Kings account averaging 17.2 factors and three.8 assists on 42.4/42.1/84.6 taking pictures splits in 4 pre-season contests. This 12 months is all about his growth, with the Kings granting him as lengthy of a runway as potential en path to changing into their guard of the longer term. Hopefully this one sticks round.

San Antonio Spurs: Will Dylan Harper snag a beginning spot, and what does that imply for De’Aaron Fox?

Speaking of former Kings, Fox higher watch his again in San Antonio. After a tough post-season for the two-time all-star, averaging 15.6 factors an evening, his beginning spot abruptly appears up for grabs with the emergence of 2025 second-overall choose Dylan Harper.

The 20-year-old began solely six video games between the common and post-season, however over time, it grew to become obvious the Spurs have an actual dilemma within the backcourt with Fox’s four-year, $221 million deal kicking on this 12 months. Harper appeared just like the Spurs’ second-best participant within the Finals, averaging 18 factors, 6.4 rebounds and three assists towards the Knicks whereas showcasing an affinity for utilizing his greater physique and ending bundle to assault off the bounce, notably when attending to the rim.

There’s the chance Harper performs on the three, with Tobias Harris or Devin Vassell taking up extra of a bench position, however even with Wemby’s dimension on the 5, greater our bodies might turn into a problem for San Antonio ought to it deploy three-guard lineups extra often.

Utah Jazz: After years of tanking, how does Utah flip the web page?

Utah has been extremely disciplined with its tanking in latest seasons, touchdown picks within the lottery and turning them into serviceable gamers. Keyonte George has gone from a hero-ball quantity shooter in faculty to an environment friendly microwave scorer heading into Year 4 and Ace Bailey discovered a rhythm late within the season, taking pictures over 40 per cent from three. Joining that blend is rookie Darryn Peterson, touted as top-of-the-line guard prospects in latest reminiscence.

Those younger gamers are bookended by the frequently rising Lauri Markkanen and the returning-from-injury Jaren Jackson Jr. — two former all-stars. The center of the pack within the West is murky, and the Jazz have all of the devices to place a tune collectively. Whether it is free-flowing and creative like John Coltrane or one other 12 months of lacklustre elevator music like Kenny G stays to be seen.