We are back with the reasons to be excited and reasons to be worried, but this time for the Western Conference. The start of the season is well underway, but I tried to keep my reasons to what I had before the season started. I don’t think six to seven games is enough to confirm or deny any hypothesis’ I had about some teams. So let’s get started!
A Reason to Be Excited and Worried for Each Western Conference Team
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Dallas Mavericks
Excited: The Mavs got better in the offseason and addressed their biggest needs with free-agent signings. Klay Thompson gives them off-spot-up three-pointers that they didn’t have last year, Naji Marshall and Quentin Grimes give them playmaking and defense at a more efficient rate, and Spencer Dinwiddie gives them a veteran walking bucket off the bench.
Worried: When a team has high turnover like the Mavs did, it takes time for them to mesh as a team and get to the point where they play well together consistently. When will this happen and will it be good enough for a return to the NBA Finals?
Denver Nuggets
Excited: The core of their championship team from two years ago is still there. Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and Aaron Gordon. They are still playing together and compliment each other perfectly.
Worried: With the loss of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, I’m not sure who their go-to three-point shooter is. Jamal Murray is a good long-range shooter, Michael Porter Jr. is streaky, and Christian Braun has potential. It is a lot of unknowns though and I wonder if they will have enough players who can make those shots to keep up with the volume needed to be competitive.
Golden State Warriors
Excited: This team is DEEP. Outside of Stephen Curry, there are plenty of guys who can play 10-15 minutes and give you good minutes, and then some who can give you 25-30 and give you great minutes.
Worried: Within that DEEP team are a lot of new names and unproven names that will not only need to step up immediately but also step up 82 games down the line. Can they be that deep and that efficient for the whole year?
Houston Rockets
Excited: They have a great, young core with a great coach and it seems like they are finally starting to develop. Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green are stars in the making and the rest of that team is very athletic.
Worried: With a young team, you need some veteran presences there who can be that stabilizing factor and leader. While players like Sengun and Green can be the leaders of that team in the future, I’m just not sure who that is right now. Who can calm the seas when the season gets more difficult down the road? Dillon Brooks?
Los Angeles Clippers
Excited: The Clippers have arguably the best stadium in the league, they have a new logo, new uniforms, and for the first time in their 55 years feel like their own team. It feels like the Clippers can finally get out from the shadow of the Lakers and that should be exciting and hopefully be a sign for the future.
Worried: Is Kawhi Leonard going to play enough competitive games to make a difference? And if he doesn’t, who is going to help James Harden this year?
Los Angeles Lakers
Excited: The Lakers hired JJ Redick as their head coach and, despite what other people thought, I love the hire. I think he can be a great coach and be for the team what Darvin Ham wasn’t. I just hope they are patient enough with him because the roster is average.
Worried: Their best off-season acquisition was J.J. Redick. As a coach.
Memphis Grizzlies
Excited: Ja Morant is back and healthy. On top of that, there was no offseason drama with Ja either. People forget that two seasons ago, this team was the 2 seed in the NBA playoffs and I think this team, talent-wise, is better than that team.
Worried: Despite having Jaren Jackson Jr., I worry about their defense. Marcus Smart doesn’t seem to be the DPOY he was a couple of years ago and when I look at the roster, I don’t see much of a defensive presence there to help JJJ.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Excited: Anthony Edward’s MVP season feels like it is almost done loading. He has done nothing but get better and better every year and seems like he made a major leap in the playoffs last year during their WCF run.
Worried: I wonder if Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle are enough to replace Karl-Anthony Towns. Not only was KAT a great scorer, but he opened the paint for Rudy Gobert and Anthony Edwards because of his stretchability at the four position. There is a lot more to replace in KAT than his 21 PPG from last year.
New Orleans Pelicans
Excited: This team’s core seems to be even better than last year with Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, and the addition of Dejounte Murray.
Worried: Will this team be available and play consistently, however? Their three-point shooters seem streaky and the biggest issue with all of those core players apart from Murray is their inability to consistently play at a top level all year.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Excited: Somehow, with the additions of Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein, this team got better. Don’t forget that their young core is still around and will be around for a while. Geez.
Worried: There is a big difference between being the hunter and being hunted. Last year, no one expected them. This year, everyone is. Look at the 2007 Dallas Mavericks if you need an example of this. Also, there is a lot of talent and a lot of players. There are only five positions on the court and only 48 minutes per game.
Phoenix Suns
Excited: This team may finally fit together with the addition of an actual starting point guard. It may seem small, but I think Tyus Jones is going to be one of the best additions this offseason.
Worried: Beyond Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, their depth is rough. Grayson Allen is a three-point machine, but that is all his scoring. Tyus Jones is a great addition, but he runs the offense and isn’t a scorer they rely on. Nurkic isn’t consistent either and I’m not sure who else outside of those three can contribute night in and night out.
Portland Trail Blazers
Excited: The Trail Blazers only keep their first-round pick this year if it is a 1-14 pick, and it is VERY likely that they will fall into that category. On top of that, the 2025 draft is as deep as the 2024 draft was weak. So it could be a good draft year for their future. On top of owning all their 2026-2028 picks as well.
Worried: Their offense is very streaky and will have days where players like Anfernee Simons and Scoot Henderson go off, and days where it seems like their playing by golf rules.
Sacramento Kings
Excited: Adding DeMar DeRozan to your team is a massive plus. I think he has been the most underrated player in the league for years and the Kings should be very happy he is there.
Worried: Outside of Domantas Sabonis, I have no idea who is going to rebound the basketball. Also, on a team with Sabonis, DeRozan, and De’Aaron Fox…who does the offense run through?
San Antonio Spurs
Excited: Another year of Victor Wembanyama and his development is always a reason to be excited, but then you throw in the addition of Chris Paul? Now that is something. Paul isn’t going to average 20 points per game like he used to, but he is as savvy a veteran as there ever has been and he’ll be great for Wemby’s development.
Worried: Beyond Wemby and Paul, there isn’t anyone else on the team to be excited about and trust. Keldon Johnson had some good years, but he has stalled in his development.
Utah Jazz
Excited: They have for sure two first-round draft picks from the Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves and their own draft pick is 1-5 protected. At this rate, they will have a high percentage chance of a top 5 pick. With how deep the 2025 draft is, this could be an important year for the Jazz. Add on the ELEVEN first-round picks they have from 2026-2029 and this team may not be bottom of the barrel for long.
Worried: Offense. Their entire offense. You have Lauri Markkanen who will be their main scorer and Walker Kessler who should get more time to develop, but other than that their offense will be very bad.
So, what do you think? Agree? Disagree? Comment below!!
Main Image: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
