Not much suspense! The US media announced the strength list of the Western Conference: Thunder ranked 1st, Rockets ranked 3rd, are the Lakers undervalued?

The new NBA season will open tomorrow, and the 25-26 season will officially kick off. During the offseason, many fans in the league have made breakthroughs in signings, especially in the fiercely competitive Western Conference, which has triggered an arms race. For example, teams such as the Nuggets and Rockets have consolidated their advantages through precise reinforcements. Some weak teams can only select and train rookies in the draft market. The entire Western Conference has formed a situation of "the strong stay strong and the mid-range collapses". Just today, the US media ESPN announced the strength list of the Western Conference, which also revealed the survival logic of each team in the new season - from the steady and steady performance of the defending champion to the dark horse team's gamble and upgrade, the fate of each team has already been foreshadowed in the offseason operations and preseason running-in.

1. Thunder:

There is no suspense for the Thunder at the top of the Western Conference. This team, which reached the top with a record 68 wins last season and won the championship, chose to consolidate its advantages during the offseason with a "continuous and adaptable" strategy. They only signed 2024 first-round pick Nikola Topic and completely retained the championship core lineup. The real reinforcement came from the "re-evolution of the young core"-Chet Holmgren and Jaylen Williams returned with full blood. In the preseason, the Thunder's dominance once again showed: Alexander continued his top performance, averaging 17 points and 5.3 assists per game on 20 of 24 shots in three games. His efficient scoring model without free throws throughout the game confirmed his stability. This young team, with only three members over the age of 27, is using a "natural growth + tactical deepening" attitude to defend the title, becoming the first potential team to win consecutive championships since the Durant era of the Warriors.

2. Nuggets

The Nuggets' offseason can be called a "model of cost-effective operation". They completed the lineup upgrade through precise transactions: exchanging Michael Porter Jr., who was tied up in a premium contract, for Cameron Johnson, while retaining the striker. Firepower (Johnson averaged 19 points per game during the Nets period, with better efficiency), and saved another 17 million US dollars in salary space; then welcomed back the championship hero Bruce Brown, introduced Jonas Valanciunas, and completely solved the old problem of "the vacuum inside after Jokic left the court". In the preseason, the running-in effect of this new lineup far exceeded expectations: Jokic averaged a near-triple-double of 18 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists in only 24 minutes per game, easily controlling the rhythm of the game; Murray scored 30 points on 9-for-18 shooting against the Bulls, and the offensive firepower continued to be online; new aid Valanciunas averaged 7 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists per game, effectively supporting the offense and defense of the second team, helping the Nuggets win three consecutive games. Despite losing Porter, Johnson's defensive enthusiasm and Gordon's outside evolution (preseason three-point shooting percentage was 40%) have made the front line more resilient. This reorganized team is ready to challenge the Thunder.

3. Rockets

Last season's Rockets were a typical example of "as fierce as a tiger in the regular season, but weak in the playoffs." The lesson of being eliminated by the Warriors in the first round made them take decisive action in the offseason - introducing Kevin Durant through a blockbuster 1-for-8 trade, directly filling in the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle of their ability to solve key balls hard. The 37-year-old Durant was still able to deliver 27.1 points and top efficiency data of 52.4%/41.0%/86.3% last season. Now he partners with All-Star center Shen Jing to form a perfect complement of "inside support + outside attack": Shen Jing averaged 19 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists per game last season. Elbow support can create open opportunities for Durant, while Durant's indiscriminate singles can relieve Shen Jing from being double-teamed. In addition, the Rockets also signed back 3-D player Finney Smith and center Capela, who shot 41% from three-point range, to strengthen their defensive shortcomings. In the preseason, although the team did not break out exaggerated statistics, the three-core structure of "Durant + Shen Jing + Amen Thompson" showed a strong balance. The only hidden danger is that the depth of the backcourt is thin, and Van Fleet's injury risk may affect the stability of the rotation. However, the US media is still optimistic about the Rockets' top lineup depth.

4. Clippers

During the offseason, the Clippers sent away Norman Powell through a trade in exchange for John Collins, and then signed Bill, Brook Lopez and Paul. Bill's scoring ability (career average 23.5 points per game), Collins' inside impact and Lopez's frame protection + three-pointers (37.4% shooting rate last season) make the lineup more balanced. In the preseason, Leonard was in good form, averaging 17 points and 2 steals per game after a small trial. After Harden joined Collins and Luo, he preferred to organize and maintain physical fitness. Paul was efficient on the offensive end and led the second team well, which undoubtedly reduced Harden's pressure a lot. If the Clippers can overcome their injury issues, they will be a team that cannot be ignored in the West.

5. Timberwolves

In order to save salary space during the offseason, the Timberwolves let go of key substitute Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who averaged 12.8 points and 3.5 assists per game last season. However, they spent heavily on a five-year, 125 million contract extension. Germany, 3 years and 100 million to retain Randall, maintaining the core framework of "Edwards + Gobert", but there are certain shortcomings in the back line: 38-year-old Conley's condition has declined, and second-year players Dillingham and Shannon Brown only averaged 8.8 points per game last season, which may not be able to support the important organizational tasks. In the preseason, although Edwards showed the results of special training in mid-range shooting and averaged 22 points per game, the team did not significantly improve its strength. However, the Timberwolves' core lineup is also very young, and the regular season record will basically lock in the second tier of the Western Conference. However, whether they can go further in the playoffs depends on Edwards' explosive stability.

6. Warriors

The Warriors' signings during the offseason were once stalled due to Kuminga's contract extension. In the end, the Warriors still signed Horford and other free agents, although the team's Curry, Butler, and Dream Green were sitting on the bench. Town, but core aging and hidden dangers in the locker room have become unavoidable problems: 36-year-old Curry, 35-year-old Butler and 34-year-old Green have significantly declined in physical fitness. Last season's model of relying on "Curry's super god + role player explosion" to barely get 48 wins is difficult to replicate.. In the preseason, the team's offensive and defensive efficiency dropped to the middle of the league. Curry averaged 20 points per game but only shot 34% from three-point range. Kuminga has yet to find a sense of presence in Cole's system, and the controversy over his departure is more likely to cause internal conflicts. However, with the Warriors' championship heritage and the leadership abilities of Curry and Butler, it is not difficult to reach sixth place in the Western Conference during the regular season.

7. Grizzlies

The Grizzlies' offseason can be described as "breaking their own arm": they sent Desmond Bane, the key scorer who averaged 18.2 points per game last season and shot 40.4% from three-point range, in exchange for draft picks that cannot be used immediately, directly depleting their outside firepower. Although they renewed the contracts of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Santi Aldama, signed Ty Jerome and selected rookie Cedric Cowherd, the uncertainty of Ja Morant has cast a shadow on the team's prospects - the "waist king" has frequently missed games due to suspensions or injuries in recent years, and outsiders predict that he may miss more than 20 games in the new season. If it comes true, the Grizzlies' offensive system will be completely chaotic. In the preseason, although rookie Cowherd occasionally performed well, he only averaged 8.5 points per game and was unable to fill the vacancy left by Bane; Pope failed to recover from the Magic's slump, shooting only 31% from three-point range. The Grizzlies lost their competitiveness last season and are likely to miss the playoffs in the new season. They are ranked seventh in the Western Conference and are obviously overvalued.

8. Lakers

The Lakers strengthened their shortcomings during the offseason by signing DeAndre Ayton to solve the problem of interior frame protection (Ayton averaged 16.7 points and 10.6 rebounds per game in his career); they introduced Marcus Smart to alleviate loopholes in perimeter defense. But the biggest variable for the team comes from James. At the beginning of the season, James will be absent for 3-4 weeks. His status after returning is also questioned. Although Luka Doncic lost more than 20 pounds in the offseason, he was able to deliver 28 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists last season. His faster movement speed is expected to improve breakthrough efficiency and endurance. However, once James misses too many games due to injury, the Lakers will lose their competitiveness. However, as long as all members are healthy, the core combination of "James + Doncic + Ayton + Reeves + Hachimura + Smart" is still very competitive. The Lakers are ranked eighth in the strength list, which is considered a satisfactory ranking.

9. Mavericks

During the offseason, the Mavericks used the No. 1 pick to pick up forward defensive star Flagg. In his first preseason appearance, he contributed 10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block. His performance of 11.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game was expected to be the best rookie. At the same time, he renewed Gafford and signed former All-Star guard Russell to improve the height and athletic ability of the lineup. However, the team's core hidden dangers always exist: the problem of insufficient organizational ability has not been fundamentally solved. Although Russell has the passing ability, his offensive efficiency is low, and he lost Kidd's trust in the preseason. However, Flagg's defensive vitality and Gafford's inside impact have become the highlights. The durability of the thick eyebrows and when Irving returns will determine the upper limit of this team. It has to be said that the Mavericks are a team in a transitional stage. The goal of the new season should be to cultivate rookies and polish the system. The possibility of reaching the playoffs is extremely small.

10. Spurs: A year of transition led by Wenban

The Spurs are still in the final stage of reconstruction. They did not pursue "winning in the moment" during the offseason. Instead, they selected Dylan Harper with the second pick and formed a youth core with Wenban Yama. As a favorite for the Defensive Player of the Year, Wembanya has shown dominance last season, averaging 19 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks per game in the preseason. His frame protection coverage and offensive support capabilities continue to evolve. But the team's shortcomings are equally obvious: the offensive end lacks stable scoring points, the back line is inexperienced, and young players such as Harper have a high turnover rate. The Spurs chose to focus on the future during the offseason and did not rush to trade stars. The new season is more likely to be a transitional year of "clear identity + running-in lineup". Although Bunyama has great potential, the brutal competition in the Western Conference makes it difficult for the Spurs to escape the fate of being at the bottom, and it will take time to reach the play-offs.

From the Thunder's sole dominance, to the strong pursuit of the Rockets and Nuggets, to the melee of mid-range teams and the reconstruction of broken teams, the pattern of the Western Conference in the 2025-26 season has already been clear. The fate of these teams is both shaped by the offseason operations and also revealed in the preseason. The strong ones consolidate their advantages through stability and health, while the weak ones find their way through hidden dangers and struggles. The fierce competition in the Western Conference has just begun.