NBA Western Conference predictions: What future holds for Klay Thompson, Bronny, Wemby

On the eve of the tipoff of the 2024-25 season, Yardbarker NBA author Sean Keane affords a prediction for all 15 groups within the Western Conference.

DALLAS MAVERICKS: Klay Thompson will begin the season within the beginning lineup, however he received’t finish it there. | Thompson’s three-point taking pictures (41.3% for his profession) will assist Dallas, however its prolonged playoff runs in 2022 and 2024 have been made with plus defenders at small ahead. Thompson’s protection, nonetheless, has develop into progressively worse since he returned from two main accidents in 2022.

DENVER NUGGETS: Nikola Jokic will break his personal document for assists by a middle (708, set final season). | Expect opponents to key on the three-time MVP greater than ever with key veterans gone (Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to Magic, key reserve Reggie Jackson to 76ers). Also count on Jokic to make use of his passing wizardry to arrange Denver’s new, younger rotation gamers for fulfillment to the tune of 10+ assists per sport.

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: Expect a top-10 protection. | With the additions of De’Anthony Melton and Kyle Anderson, plus Draymond Green taking part in greater than final season’s 55 video games, the Warriors will return to having a top-10 protection and a top-six end within the standings. The free-agent signings and elevated taking part in time for younger wings ought to result in extra steals and fewer fouls, sufficient to tighten their protection and enhance the Warriors’ transition factors, fourth worst within the NBA final season.

HOUSTON ROCKETS: Reed Sheppard will win Rookie of the Year. | The former Kentucky Wildcats guard is a dead-eyed shooter who made 52.1% of his three-pointers final season. Plus, he’s taking part in for a group that wants his ability set — solely two Rockets averaged two three-pointers or extra a sport final season. Sheppard will get loads of alternatives to showcase his offensive abilities to award voters.

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS: In their first yr on the $2B Intuit Dome, the Clippers will miss the playoffs. | The lack of Paul George to the 76ers in free company and Kawhi Leonard’s balky knee shall be sufficient to maintain the group, whose offense is centered on 35-year-old James Harden, out of the postseason. Worst of all, it is going to lose its subsequent lottery choose to the Thunder, who personal the appropriate to swap first-round picks.

LOS ANGELES LAKERS: Bronny James shall be one of many NBA’s worst gamers from a statistical perspective. | But depend on him taking part in extra within the NBA than within the G League. The youthful James shot 29.7% from the sphere and eight.3% from deep within the preseason, however the Lakers employed his father’s podcast co-host to educate the group. JJ Redick isn’t going to bench LeBron’s rookie son if his dad doesn’t approve.

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES: The Grizzlies will find yourself within the play-in match. | That’s an enchancment from final season’s 27-55 catastrophe however nonetheless disappointing. Memphis has misplaced six of its prime 9 gamers from the group that received 56 video games two seasons in the past. This group has potential, however past Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson, Jr., the roster is filled with gamers who haven’t proven they can assist Memphis win.

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES: The Wolves will take a step again within the common season. | Minnesota went 56-26 final season and misplaced to Dallas within the Western Conference Finals, however will probably be stronger within the playoffs this season. Adjusting to the commerce of Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks will take time, however come playoff time, the added versatility of former New York gamers Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo will assist Minnesota’s late-game offense.

NEW ORLEANS PELICANS: The Pelicans will make a transfer for an enormous man earlier than later. | While taking part in Zion Williamson on the 5 may unlock a potent offense, placing their undersized (6-foot-6) and injury-prone star on the pivot isn’t a viable long-term plan. Numerous groups have spare massive males (Trail Blazers and Hawks), so count on the Pelicans to make a deal.

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will win the MVP award. | With his Thunder favored to have the Western Conference’s finest document and SGA’s offensive effectivity enhancing the previous two seasons, he’s poised to unseat Nikola Jokic as MVP. Expect “Joker” fatigue amongst MVP voters. SGA completed second in final season’s vote.

PHOENIX SUNS: The Suns received’t get a wholesome season from Bradley Beal, their $50M guard. | Beal hasn’t performed greater than 60 video games in a season since 2018-19, and there’s no motive to assume he’ll be more healthy now that he’s 31. The Suns nonetheless would possibly thrive, however will probably be resulting from their “Big Two” of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker — Beal hasn’t been an All-Star for 3 years.

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS: Scoot Henderson will present why he was thought of a prime prospect. | After the All-Star break, Henderson improved his field-goal proportion to 40% and remodeled 35% of his threes whereas upping his assists from 4.7 to 7.1 per sport. With an additional yr of growth and large rookie Donovan Clingan (7-foot-2, 280 kilos) setting screens, Henderson is ready as much as shine in his second NBA season.

SACRAMENTO KINGS: Sacramento will return to having a top-five offense after dropping to thirteenth in offensive score final season. | Adding DeMar DeRozan solves Sacramento’s greatest offensive points, which have been a scarcity of free throws and mid-range baskets, although his presence may also damage its 14th-ranked protection.

SAN ANTONIO SPURS: At 21, Victor Wembanyama will develop into the youngest NBA Defensive Player of the Year winner. | That’s two years youthful than Dwight Howard was when he received the award for the Magic in 2009. As a rookie final season, Wemby led the league in blocks and completed second within the DPOY vote. 

UTAH JAZZ: Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson (or each) shall be traded by the Feb. 6 deadline | Utah tanked within the second half the earlier two seasons and can observe that course this season for a shot a drafting Duke super-prospect Cooper Flagg in June. The best option to stack losses is to deal veterans, particularly Sexton and Clarkson, who may assist any group that wants a microwave scorer off the bench.