Whether it was CP3 to the Warriors, DeAndre Ayton to the Trailblazers, or Clemson legend Hunter Tyson to the Nuggets, it has been one wild offseason. Could we be seeing the beginning of Lebron’s decline? How will CP3 and Chef Curry work together? Is Nikola Jokic the face of the league? I’ll answer all these burning questions. These are my 2023-2024 Western Conference predictions.
1. Suns 57-25
This Suns team is superstar-loaded. Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker are all amongst the best players at their positions, respectively. Jusuf Nurkic is a solid center option when healthy. The DeAndre Ayton trade provided good depth to this team, expect them to go far this season.
Biggest Addition: Bradley Beal
Biggest Departure: Deandre Ayton
2. Nuggets 54-28
This team easily has the potential to go back-to-back. Jokic is one of if not the best players in the NBA. Jamal Murray is on his way to becoming an elite guard. Michael “Never Swing the Rock” Porter Jr is a bucket off the bench and continues his high-level shooting and defense. The only big loss for this team was Bruce Brown Jr, but this offseason the Nuggets added more bench pieces.
Biggest Addition: Hunter Tyson
Biggest Departure: Bruce Brown
3. Grizzlies 48-34
This team is very good, and the best player will not be back until mid-season. (Put down the guns Mr. Morant please) This team is so scary defensively it is not even funny. They have 2 Defensive Player of the Year winners Marcus Smart and Jaren Jackson Jr. This team is really good and will continue to get better once Ja is back.
Biggest Addition: Marcus Smart
Biggest Departure: Dillon Brooks
4. Warriors 47-35
This team is the same team it has been, just older. They swapped a notorious shot chucker in Jordan Poole for seasoned vet and former superstar Chris Paul. Paul and the greatest shooter of all time Stephen Curry should find a way to make this offense elite. The biggest question for this team is how big of a regression we’ll see from Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.
Biggest Addition: CP3
Biggest Departure: Jordan Poole
5. Clippers 44-38
This team is one of the best on paper in the league. Kahwi Leonard and Paul George are former MVP candidates while James Harden is an MVP winner. Russell Westbrook, while slightly washed now, is a former MVP. Norman Powell, Mason Plumlee, Tre Mann, and Ivica Zubac are solid role players rounding out the roster.
Biggest Addition: James Harden
Biggest Departure: Eric Gordon
6. Lakers 43-39
Lebron James.
Biggest Addition: Christian Wood
Biggest Departure: Deandre Ayton
7. Kings 43-39
This team is fun, but I feel as if they will take a step back this year. Keegan Murray should take a step forward this year. De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk make one of the more underrated guard duos in the league. Domantas Sabonis is among the best power forward/centers in the league and should continue his dominance this year.
Biggest Addition: Jalen Slawson
Biggest Departure: Terence Davis
8. Jazz 42-40
This team is incredibly underrated. Danny Ainge left Boston after setting them up for success and seems to already be doing the same thing in Utah. Lauri Markkannen and John Collins are amongst the best wing duo in the league. Colin Sexton should be an underrated floor general this season as well. Watch out for Utah.
Biggest Addition: John Collins
Biggest Departure: N/A
9. Mavericks 41-41
This team was quite disappointing last year, and I honestly think they’re one more piece away from being a non-playing team. Grant Williams was a huge addition to this team along with their re-signing of superstar Kyrie Irving. Luka Doncic is among one of the best players in the league and should continue his MVP campaign this year. Watch out for rookie Dereck Lively out of Duke, he’s a future dominant big in the making.
Biggest Addition: Grant Williams
Biggest Departure: Christian Wood
10. Timberwolves 37-45
While they have plenty of star power, this team does not work well with each other. Gobert needs to go.
Biggest Addition: Shake Milton
Biggest Departure: Jaylen Nowell
11. Thunder 36-46
This is the youngest team in the league and with the draft picks they have, this team will be good for a while to come. Chet Holmgren is off to a hot start and is proving why he was worth the 2nd overall pick despite his injury concerns.
Biggest Addition: Cason Wallace
Biggest Departure: Victor Oladipo
12. Pelicans 36-46
This team can be good, but no one on this team can consistently stay on the court. Zion, Ingram, Alvarado, Murphy, and many others are constantly in and out with various injuries. Hawkins looks like a promising young player. CJ McCollum is what will hold this team together if they are successful. I just do not see it happening in the West with how competitive it is.
Biggest Addition: Jordan Hawkins
Biggest Departure: Jaxson Hayes
13. Trailblazers 31-51
This team is extremely young and needs time to develop together. Scoot Henderson has the potential to be a top-5 point guard in the league. Anfernee Simons is a rising star and should continue to get better with the departure of perennial-all-star Damian Lillard. Malcolm Brogdon is aging and should see a decline. Deandre Ayton is a great center and the change of scenery should help him immensely.
Biggest Addition: Scoot Henderson
Biggest Departure: Damian Lillard
14. Rockets 30-52
While yes they had two big signings this offseason in Fred Van Vleet and Dillon Brooks, this team is terrible. Jalen Green is not a good player and is just a glorified shot-chucker. Alperen Sengun is a borderline top-7 center in the league and is super underrated. The only reason I have this team over the Spurs is due to new coach Ime Udoka, who was previously fired by the Celtics after a Finals run after having an affair with owner, Wycliffe Groesbeck’s, wife.
Biggest Addition: Dillon Brooks
Biggest Departure: Kevin Porter Jr
15. Spurs 27-55
Victor is the future of this team but it is still so young. Keldon Johnson is coming off a rather disappointing season but has the potential to be an excellent two-way player. Jeremy Sochan is young but honestly is pretty middle-of-the-pack at the moment (Sorry, Burton). I’ll regret this projection due to Coach Popovich’s ability to make good out of little, but for now, I do not see the Spurs being good.
Biggest Addition: Victor Webmenyama
Biggest Departure: Kieta-Bates Diop
