Spurs to Win It All, Thunder Second-Round Exit? My 15 Bold Western Conference Predictions for 2026/27

The Western Conference looks set to be as unpredictable as ever heading into the 2026/27 NBA season.

The San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder established themselves as the two leading forces in the West last season, while another busy offseason has transformed several teams across the conference. With major trades, exciting rookies and established stars entering potentially defining seasons, there is plenty to predict.

Rather than producing another set of power rankings, I have decided to make one prediction for every team in the Western Conference.

Some are relatively safe. Others are considerably bolder. From my NBA championship pick to playoff disappointments, breakout stars and potential blockbuster trades, here are my 15 predictions for the Western Conference ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Oklahoma City Thunder: A Second-Round Playoff Exit

I am starting with one of my boldest predictions. I think the Oklahoma City Thunder will fail to make it past the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2024.

Losing Lu Dort could prove significant, particularly on the defensive end, while I also expect Chet Holmgren to have a more difficult season than many anticipate. Oklahoma City will remain one of the strongest teams in the Western Conference, but I think their season ends much earlier than expected.

San Antonio Spurs: My Early Pick to Win the NBA Championship

The Spurs are my early favourites to win the 2027 NBA championship.

After reaching the NBA Finals last season, this is no longer simply an exciting young team with potential. San Antonio has already demonstrated that it can compete with the best teams in basketball, and I think this is the year the Spurs take the final step and win it all.

I know last year's Finals were not pretty. They blew several leads and ultimately fell short, but I do not think we will see the same mistakes again. This is a young team that should learn from that experience and come back stronger.

I also really like the addition of Tobias Harris, while I think Dylan Harper will establish himself this season as one of the league's next major stars.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards Wins the Scoring Title

Anthony Edwards will win his first NBA scoring title this season.

Edwards is my favourite player in the NBA, and he has continued to develop into one of the league's premier offensive players. I think this will be the year he takes another major step forward.

I expect a huge individual season from Edwards as Minnesota looks to remain among the strongest teams in the Western Conference. The Timberwolves are also one of my outside favourites for the championship, although I still think it is too early to know exactly how far this team can go.

One thing I am confident about, however, is that Ant will be better than ever this season.

Houston Rockets: Another First-Round Exit Leads to a Blockbuster Trade

Despite the expectations surrounding Houston in recent years, I think the Rockets will suffer another first-round playoff exit.

If that happens, I could see the franchise deciding that its current core has reached its ceiling and making a major change. My prediction is that another disappointing postseason eventually leads to Alperen Şengün being included in a blockbuster trade for another star.

Denver Nuggets: The Defensive Problems Get Even Worse

Denver's defence will continue to be one of its biggest weaknesses, and I think it is going to cost them.

I expect the Nuggets to once again finish near the bottom of the NBA defensively, potentially becoming even worse on that end of the floor. Their offensive talent will keep them competitive during the regular season, but I think their inability to consistently get stops will ultimately limit their ceiling.

Los Angeles Lakers: A Difficult Season Raises Questions About Luka Dončić's Future

I think the Lakers could struggle for large parts of this season.

Despite having Luka Dončić, I am not convinced the roster around him is good enough to seriously challenge the best teams in the Western Conference.

If the season ends in disappointment, I think we could enter next summer with genuine questions being asked about Dončić's long-term future in Los Angeles.

Portland Trail Blazers: Ja Morant Returns to His Best

I am predicting a major comeback season for Ja Morant in Portland.

At his best, Morant was one of the most explosive guards in basketball, and I think we will see him rediscover that level this season. Portland might not immediately become a championship contender, but Morant reminding everyone how good he can be would represent a major step forward for the franchise.

I can see another postseason appearance on the horizon for Portland in this new era under head coach Nouri, led by the dynamic trio of Deni Avdija, Ja Morant and Damian Lillard.

Phoenix Suns: Fewer Wins, Same Seed

Phoenix will win fewer games than last season, but I still think they will ultimately finish in the same position in the Western Conference standings: the eighth seed.

I am not expecting a dramatic collapse, but I also struggle to see significant improvement from this team. The Suns could find themselves treading water while several of the teams around them continue to develop.

Golden State Warriors: Another Season Without Playoff Basketball

I have Golden State reaching the Play-In Tournament, but that is where I think their season will end.

I really believe the Warriors have failed Steph Curry this offseason. I am not optimistic about their future, and I am not particularly optimistic about this season either.

Golden State will remain competitive enough to stay around the Play-In picture, but I think they will struggle over the course of the season and ultimately miss the playoffs for a second consecutive year.

The dynasty is truly over.

Dallas Mavericks: Cooper Flagg Leads Dallas Into Play-In Contention

Dallas is one of my candidates to take a significant step forward this season.

I think the Mavericks could make the Play-In Tournament, with Cooper Flagg emerging as an outstanding all-around player. His impact should extend far beyond scoring, and I expect him to establish himself as the centrepiece of what Dallas is building for the future.

I also hope Kyrie Irving returns fully healthy from his ACL injury. If he does, Irving and Flagg could establish themselves as one of the more exciting duos in the Western Conference.

Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer Shines Despite a Difficult Season

I think Memphis will struggle this season, but Cameron Boozer could provide Grizzlies fans with plenty of reasons for optimism about the future.

I expect him to have an impressive rookie campaign and quickly establish himself as an important part of the franchise's long-term plans, even if that individual success does not immediately translate into wins.

Sacramento Kings: Darius Acuff Jr. Emerges as a Rookie of the Year Candidate

One player I am particularly excited about is Darius Acuff Jr.

I think the Kings point guard will quickly establish himself as one of the league's most exciting young guards and become one of the frontrunners for Rookie of the Year.

Sacramento might have its struggles, but Acuff could give the franchise an important building block for the future.

LA Clippers: One of the Worst Records in the NBA

I think this could be an extremely difficult year for the Clippers.

The organisation has just been hit with major bans, fines and punishments following the scandal involving Kawhi Leonard, leaving the franchise in an extremely difficult position.

My prediction is that the Clippers finish with one of the worst records in the NBA and spend most of the season towards the bottom of the Western Conference. I simply do not see them having enough to consistently compete in such a deep conference.

The future looks incredibly dark for the Los Angeles Clippers.

New Orleans Pelicans: The Current Core Gets Broken Up

On paper, I actually think New Orleans has a relatively talented roster. However, I do not think that talent will translate into enough success to convince the organisation to continue with its current direction.

My prediction is that the Pelicans enter a full rebuild next summer, with either Zion Williamson or Trey Murphy III moved in a major trade.

Utah Jazz: Their Best Season Since the Mitchell-Gobert Era

I think the Utah Jazz will have their best season since the departures of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert.

This is a team I expect to take a noticeable step forward and remain in the Play-In conversation for much of the season. I would not completely rule out a surprise Play-In appearance, but ultimately, I think they will fall just short and miss the playoffs once again.

Final Thoughts

The Western Conference should once again provide some of the most competitive basketball in the NBA, but I think the hierarchy could look very different by the end of the season.

My biggest prediction is backing the San Antonio Spurs to go one step further and win the NBA championship, while I am also expecting a surprisingly early playoff exit for Oklahoma City.

I have Anthony Edwards winning the scoring title, Ja Morant returning to his best and rookies Cameron Boozer and Darius Acuff Jr. making significant impacts during their first seasons in the league.

Not all of these predictions will come true. I am sure I will look back in June and ask myself, what was I thinking?

But that is the fun of making bold predictions.

With 15 teams and 15 predictions now locked in, all that is left is to see which ones look brilliant by the end of the season and which ones age terribly.

Next up: one prediction for every Eastern Conference team ahead of the 2026/27 NBA season.