With NBA training camps soon approaching, every team is going to offer some platitudes about how they want to compete for a championship this season. Not so fast! We all know there’s a pecking order in the NBA, and I’m here to tell you exactly what that pecking order is in each conference via my completely scientifically tested and approved tiers system. Previously in this series, we took a look at the Eastern Conference. Today, let’s examine the West and get these teams properly sorted into the right category…
Trust the Process Tier: Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz
The three teams in this group should be considered the frontrunners in the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes. The Thunder have been steadily tanking for two years, and will likely jump right back in the pool after the season-ending injury to No. 2 pick Chet Holmgren. Meanwhile, the Spurs and Jazz joined the party after trading away their star players this summer. By the post-All-Star break section of the schedule, these teams will be worth watching if only to see how shamelessly they will be trying to lose.
