Western Conference Teams Navigate Critical NBA Offseason with Varied Success as Clippers Emerge as Early Leaders

The 2026 NBA offseason has presented a complex landscape for Western Conference teams, with many navigating pivotal decisions while awaiting key player movements. Much like the Eastern Conference, these grades remain fluid and subject to updates as circumstances, particularly surrounding high-profile free agents such as LeBron James and the verdict on Kawhi Leonard’s trade, continue to unfold. The evaluations reflect the offseasons as observed thus far, assessing teams based on their success in achieving stated goals relative to the resources at their disposal. Teams are credited for maximizing their assets rather than for lottery fortune, with a higher standard applied to those with greater opportunities.

Los Angeles Clippers: A-

The Los Angeles Clippers have executed what is widely considered the most strategic offseason in the Western Conference, contingent on the finalization of the Kawhi Leonard trade. This transaction, however, is currently under scrutiny due to the "Aspiration Investigation," a factor that could swiftly alter the perception of an otherwise stellar summer. Assuming the trade proceeds, it represents a significant victory for the franchise. The decision to move a 35-year-old player with a history of injury concerns and an impending extension demand yielded two unprotected first-round picks in the 2030s, alongside a non-trivial 2027 first-round swap. This acquisition is particularly impactful given the Clippers’ existing obligation of a separate swap to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

This series of moves, including the Leonard deal and prior trades involving Ivica Zubac and James Harden, signifies a brilliant organizational pivot. The Clippers are transitioning from a ‘decayed contender’ status to a ‘young, flexible, and asset-rich rebuilder.’ Further reinforcing their strategic acumen, the team acquired Rui Hachimura for less compensation than his previous Lakers’ salary, notably including a team option for the second year of his contract. The signing of Kobe Sanders to a four-year, essentially minimum deal, with the latter two years non-guaranteed, also represents a notable win on the margins. The team successfully navigated the initial phase of Bennedict Mathurin’s restricted free agency, avoiding aggressive offer sheets due to dwindling cap space across the league, making his return on favorable terms probable. While No. 5 overall pick Keaton Wagler’s uneven Summer League performance presents a minor concern, historical precedent suggests top picks often rebound from slow starts in Las Vegas. Overall, the Clippers have significantly enhanced their long-term prospects, establishing a strong foundation for future development.

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Utah Jazz: B+

The Utah Jazz adeptly addressed two simmering long-term issues this offseason, both of which carried the potential for escalating complications if left unaddressed. The primary challenge was a "six-starter problem," wherein one of Darryn Peterson, Keyonte George, Ace Bailey, Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., or Walker Kessler would have faced a reduced role if all remained on the roster. This roster glut was compounded by the looming financial strain of extending Markkanen and Jackson to max deals, Kessler to a substantial restricted free agent contract, and George to a rookie extension. The Los Angeles Lakers’ "outlandish trade offer" of two first-round picks and two first-round swaps for Kessler provided the Jazz with a comprehensive solution to both dilemmas.

While the center position will require future attention, the Jazz now possess the draft capital to address this need on their own terms. For the immediate future, Jusuf Nurkić and Jaxson Hayes are expected to fill the void, with Jaren Jackson Jr. likely closing games at center. The team’s defensive scheme is also well-suited to accommodate Josh Okogie’s offensive limitations, thereby maximizing his defensive contributions. Despite the absence of Kessler, which may temper immediate playoff success, the Jazz are positioned to remain competitive while accumulating a substantial pick surplus that will be crucial for their future trajectory.

Minnesota Timberwolves: B

The Minnesota Timberwolves’ offseason, highlighted by the acquisition of LaMelo Ball, has elicited divided opinions among observers. However, an optimistic view suggests the move addresses critical team needs. Minnesota required enhanced playmaking, a role Ball is well-suited for. Conversely, Ball sought to play alongside a superior on-ball scorer and within a more robust defensive framework, both of which the Timberwolves offer. The team’s management felt compelled to re-imagine their roster following consecutive postseasons where Anthony Edwards lacked consistent offensive support. The pairing of Edwards and Ball, two of the league’s most prolific pull-up 3-point shooters, is anticipated to mitigate the defensive pressure from elite teams like the Spurs and Thunder, providing a credible offensive approach.

The power forward position remains open, with the team reportedly pursuing LeBron James as a potential solution, though the likelihood of this outcome is low. Regardless, a long-term answer for the position may not be immediately critical, given Ball and Edwards are entering their age-25 seasons and Jaden McDaniels turns 26 in September. The existing salaries of Josh Green and potentially Donte DiVincenzo offer trade flexibility, while Terrence Shannon and McDaniels provide internal options at power forward. While the Timberwolves may not yet rival the Thunder or Spurs in overall strength, the offseason moves have substantially raised their ceiling, providing a "puncher’s chance" once the power forward position is solidified.

San Antonio Spurs: B

The San Antonio Spurs’ selection of Jayden Quaintance in the draft is regarded as a perfect fit for the franchise’s long-term vision. Despite real injury red flags, Quaintance represents a luxury pick for a team with an extensive draft surplus, allowing them to absorb a potential "wasted pick" without significant consequence. If Quaintance recovers fully, even in a limited role initially, the Spurs could potentially field one of the most talented defensive frontcourts in NBA history alongside Victor Wembanyama, a prospect that analysts suggest is not an exaggeration given his athletic upside. This move epitomizes a low-risk, high-reward strategy.

The addition of Tobias Harris as a power forward on a short-term contract is considered serviceable, as he provides reliable 3-point shooting on low usage without compromising team defense. Victor Wembanyama’s decision to forgo Rose Rule max escalators, while requiring him to play 65 games next season to qualify, alleviates immediate financial concerns for the Spurs and potentially establishes a precedent of selflessness among young stars. Julian Champagnie’s extension is already viewed favorably. While a De’Aaron Fox trade would have been beneficial, the Spurs possess ample time to address backcourt needs. The offseason is characterized by numerous positive developments and a notable absence of detrimental moves.

Memphis Grizzlies: B-

The Memphis Grizzlies’ offseason was highlighted by the trade of Ja Morant, a move accomplished without sacrificing additional draft picks or taking on unfavorable long-term contracts. This transaction is considered a significant victory, potentially leading to "addition by subtraction" for the team. While the Grizzlies receive no credit for the lottery luck involved in drafting Cameron Boozer, they are credited for surrounding him with considerable front-court depth and versatility. The acquisition of Isaiah Stewart for a few second-round picks and the signing of Quinten Post to a deal with only one guaranteed season are seen as shrewd business. This depth is expected to be crucial for head coach Tuomas Iisalo’s system, which often utilizes players in shorter bursts, and particularly for the injury-prone Zach Edey at center. The Grizzlies now have the flexibility to manage Edey and Boozer’s workload and experiment with various big-man combinations.

Further strategic moves included securing additional second-round picks by trading back from No. 16 to No. 21 in the draft, and acquiring more draft capital by trading Santi Aldama. The team conducted its offseason without utilizing its substantial Jaren Jackson Jr. trade exception, positioning them as a potential key facilitator for in-season trades. While still in the early stages of their rebuild and with roster trimming ahead, all offseason actions are perceived as sensible and aligned with their long-term objectives.

Houston Rockets: C+

The Houston Rockets’ offseason included the re-signing of Marcus Smart to a two-year, $12.4 million contract. Smart’s performance last season notably outplayed the terms of this deal, making it a strong value. However, concerns persist regarding his redundancy within the roster, particularly as another offensively questionable defender. There is speculation that Smart’s presence might inadvertently provide head coach Ime Udoka with rationale to limit Reed Sheppard’s playing time, which would be problematic given Houston’s need for offensive contributions.

The Rockets strategically positioned themselves to avoid the luxury tax by trading Dorian Finney-Smith, a move that made considerable sense given the team’s unnecessary tax payment last season. This step, which cost three second-round picks, is warranted as the team is projected to be expensive for the foreseeable future, making any efforts to delay the repeater tax beneficial. The extension of Tari Eason for what is essentially mid-level money is considered a great contract, underscoring the Rockets’ effective negotiation strategies with their own players. However, some analysts express concern over the team’s reliance on the returns of Steven Adams and Fred VanVleet to address last year’s issues, given both are injury-prone veterans in their 30s. While long-term questions remain, most of the Rockets’ offseason activities are viewed as logical.

Golden State Warriors: C+

The Golden State Warriors are credited for a measured and disciplined approach this offseason, notably avoiding impulsive, high-risk moves. Despite being linked to LeBron James and reports suggesting the need for an additional star, such as Anthony Davis, to secure his commitment, the Warriors have thus far refrained from overpaying for a secondary star. This restraint is lauded, particularly in light of past examples like the Clippers’ Paul George trade, which, while ultimately securing Kawhi Leonard, carried significant risk. The Warriors’ caution in this scenario is viewed as a valuable front office trait.

Yaxel Lendeborg’s strong performance at the Vegas Summer League was anticipated, given his age relative to Jonathan Kuminga, making him more "pro-ready." The Warriors were justified in selecting a win-now rookie, and Lendeborg appears to fit this profile. Beyond this, the team has not significantly altered its roster from last season. However, favorable contracts for Kristaps Porziņģis, De’Anthony Melton, and Al Horford were secured, with Porziņģis’s $3 million guarantee for 2027-28 being a notable win. While the team’s fortunes haven’t drastically shifted, their avoidance of detrimental decisions in pursuit of an unlikely championship push is seen as responsible. Managing the twilight of Stephen Curry’s career while prioritizing the franchise’s future post-Curry, though potentially frustrating for fans, is deemed the prudent approach.

Dallas Mavericks: C+

Masai Ujiri’s initial tenure with the Dallas Mavericks reflects a team-building philosophy reminiscent of his time in Toronto, characterized by the acquisition of multiple big forwards. The most significant additions this offseason, Morez Johnson (No. 9 overall pick), Santi Aldama (via trade with Memphis), and Zaccharie Risacher (via trade with Atlanta), all fit this profile. While the optimal fit for these players, particularly Cooper Flagg potentially being exclusively a small forward on this roster despite ideal long-term power forward potential, is questionable, the team has time to determine effective combinations.

The decision to retain Kyrie Irving is primarily defensible under the premise that he can rebuild his trade value on the court during the upcoming season, with an eventual trade for younger talent anticipated. The addition of Marcus Sasser, a young, inexpensive, and playable guard who was crowded out of Detroit’s rotation, is a logical move. Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington remain potential trade candidates, and Dereck Lively is approaching extension eligibility. It is widely expected that the Mavericks will make further significant roster decisions this offseason, or that the roster will undergo meaningful changes by the trade deadline.

Oklahoma City Thunder: C

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s offseason strategy was predictable, focusing on navigating the luxury tax implications of their roster. Starting approximately $40 million over the second apron, the team inevitably moved to reduce this burden by trading players who had largely been replaced in the rotation. The acquisition of Jared McCain rendered Isaiah Joe obsolete, Aaron Wiggins saw reduced playing time, and Lu Dort’s offensive struggles had become a concern. Dort, while potentially willing to embrace a bench role, was effectively replaced in the starting lineup by Cason Wallace, making his trade a preemptive measure to address potential awkwardness.

While the Thunder’s depth has decreased compared to last year, this was an intentional part of their plan: to cycle out expensive role players and replace them with cost-controlled draft picks and veterans willing to sign team-friendly contracts, such as Isaiah Hartenstein and Kenrich Williams. The team continues to face the challenge posed by Victor Wembanyama. Potential solutions include the long-term development of Aday Mara, improved performance from Chet Holmgren against Wembanyama, or the collective health and contributions of Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell. Given the limited realistic external options to address the Wembanyama problem, the Thunder’s approach of cleaning their books and banking on internal growth aligns with their established strategy.

Denver Nuggets: C-

The Denver Nuggets’ offseason grade is highly provisional, contingent on the resolution of Peyton Watson’s restricted free agency. Successfully navigating the initial wave of free agency without Watson receiving an offer sheet is a win, as the depletion of cap space across the league now gives the Nuggets greater control over negotiations. A successful offseason hinges on retaining Watson without sacrificing a core player to reduce their substantial impending tax bill. Conversely, a sign-and-trade for poor value or trading an important player simply to keep Watson more affordably would negatively impact this assessment.

Beyond their core six players, the Nuggets’ depth has likely diminished. The departure of Tim Hardaway Jr. represents a significant loss, as his bench scoring was highly valuable last season. Spencer Jones remains in restricted free agency, and given he would sign for an exception, a team could still present an uncomfortable offer sheet. The team has already resorted to signing two players to rookie minimum deals to manage costs, signaling potential depth issues. Marvin Bagley has developed into a legitimate rotation player, but his undersized stature for a 2026 center leaves questions regarding non-Nikola Jokić minutes. Furthermore, Jokić’s contract extension has not yet been finalized. While not an immediate concern, especially with the Lakers utilizing their potential 2027 cap space, it introduces an element of unease a year out from his potential free agency, possibly influencing the team’s reluctance to shed salary.

Los Angeles Lakers: C-

The Los Angeles Lakers entered the offseason with substantial resources—over $50 million in cap space and up to three first-round picks and three first-round swaps—but also two critical needs: a starting center and an entire wing rotation. The team committed heavily to securing a center, acquiring Walker Kessler, but this move consumed a significant portion of their cap space and two first-round picks along with two swaps. This expenditure left them with insufficient resources to construct a championship-caliber wing rotation. Consequently, the team is currently not deemed strong enough to contend for a title, and a clear path to bridge this gap is not apparent.

The center position, despite Kessler’s acquisition, is not fully secured. Kevon Looney is no longer considered a playoff-level backup. The Lakers traded Deandre Ayton, a valuable backup at $8 million, for Jaden Hardy, a player without a clear fit on the roster, solely to clear the final necessary cap space. The prospect of Sandro Mamukelashvili playing center raises defensive concerns. The team also allocated considerable funds to players like Mamukelashvili and Collin Sexton, both of whom exhibit defensive limitations, a questionable strategy for a team featuring Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. Competing with the Thunder and Spurs will necessitate building a defense almost entirely on the margins, a challenging, if not impossible, task. While Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle were decent minimum signings, they are considered "fliers" with identifiable flaws, not starting-caliber wings. The Lakers face significant roster construction challenges with limited remaining tools.

Phoenix Suns: C-

The Phoenix Suns demonstrated efficiency in the contracts they issued this offseason. Collin Gillespie’s four-year, $48 million deal is regarded as one of the summer’s best values, and Jordan Goodwin, Luke Kennard, and Mark Williams all signed for fair compensation. However, the team is now approximately $16 million over the luxury tax threshold, meaning that without an in-season Jalen Green trade, they are unlikely to reset their repeater tax clock this year. This is primarily a financial decision for owner Mat Ishbia.

The trade for Miles Bridges is widely considered unjustifiable. The decision to surrender their unprotected 2033 first-round pick, one of the most valuable selections traded all summer, for a power forward who neither consistently shoots nor defends at a high level is baffling. Bridges, while a high scorer, has not demonstrated efficient scoring, nor does he consistently pressure the rim. His big numbers have not consistently translated into winning. This move follows a similar widely criticized trade involving their 2031 first-round pick at the 2025 deadline, indicating a failure to learn from past mistakes. To further commit future draft capital for a player who is expected to demand a hefty extension, for a team projected to be, at best, a Play-In Tournament participant with no clear path to improvement, represents the single most indefensible offseason move across the league. The Suns appear committed to a trajectory of "expensive mediocrity."

New Orleans Pelicans: D+

Individual roster decisions made by the New Orleans Pelicans this offseason can be individually justified. The team’s reluctance to trade Trey Murphy or Herb Jones is understandable, given the premium on affordable young wings. Withholding Yves Missi from the Knicks is rational, as the Pelicans require a young, defensive center. The retention of Zion Williamson, despite fit concerns with Missi or Derik Queen, is defensible given his star-level talent and solid performance last year. However, when viewed as a cohesive strategy, these individual decisions present significant challenges.

The decision to run back a 26-win team, particularly one whose late-season victories were accrued when they were the only lottery team without an incentive to tank, is perplexing. A coaching change alone is deemed insufficient, especially considering new head coach Jamahl Mosley’s previous dismissal in Orlando was partly due to his inability to make a collection of "misfit offensive toys" function effectively. Mosley now inherits a similar roster in New Orleans: talent-rich, but with an awkward fit and diminished defensive capabilities. The two-year minimum contract for DeAndre Jordan is also considered a "cap-wise own goal." Unlike most minimum contracts, multi-year minimum deals incur a higher cap hit, adding an extra $1.5 million to the Pelicans’ books this year and next. While this may not be critical for a team that historically avoids the luxury tax, it reflects poor process in retaining a player whose primary role is perceived as a locker room presence rather than a basketball contributor.

Sacramento Kings: D+

The Sacramento Kings appear to be on the cusp of a roster teardown, yet the process has not meaningfully begun. The only expensive veteran to depart is DeMar DeRozan, whose contract was partially guaranteed. The team has been unable to find trade partners for Domantas Sabonis, Malik Monk, or Zach LaVine, with the latter potentially becoming a buyout candidate. The Kings technically remain above the luxury tax threshold, although utilizing the stretch provision on DeRozan could alter this. Questions persist regarding the strategy of retaining LaVine, particularly if the aim is to avoid the "relegation zone," given his limited impact on winning last season. The funds tied to such players could have been used to acquire more suitable long-term fits.

Overall, the Kings have accomplished little of substance this offseason. Their activities have been limited to making draft picks and the inevitable decision to waive DeRozan. It is premature to evaluate their rookies, but concerns exist that their initial years may be unproductive due to being surrounded by teammates who are unlikely to be part of the franchise’s long-term plans.

Portland Trail Blazers: D

The rationale behind the Portland Trail Blazers’ acquisition of Ja Morant was ostensibly that he is a star-level talent secured without sacrificing significant assets beyond matching salary, presenting a "no-risk, all-reward proposition." However, this premise is largely disputed due to substantial inherent risks, even without a hefty price tag. Morant’s arrival, coupled with Damian Lillard’s return, threatens to impede the development of young guards Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, who are likely to be relegated to lesser roles. Furthermore, it could derail the "star leap" taken by Deni Avdija last season, who thrived as a downhill driver and high-usage ball-handler. Morant’s ball-dominant style will reduce Avdija’s opportunities, and his complete lack of 3-point shooting will further restrict floor spacing for Avdija.

Maximizing Avdija’s value is crucial given his cost-effective contract, which makes him essentially unextendable without cap space. Morant’s contract complicates the Blazers’ path to cap space in the summer of 2027, potentially making Avdija less inclined to re-sign if the on-court fit is suboptimal. These concerns are compounded by Morant’s recent history of clashing with a head coach, which is particularly relevant given Portland’s first-year head coach, Micah Nori, has only one guaranteed year on his contract. The anticipated remarkably poor defense from the starting backcourt further suggests this trade carries significant downside risk. While picking up Micah Potter off waivers was a positive marginal find, and the partial guarantee on Robert Williams III’s new contract was essential due to his injury history, the cumulative downside risk of the Morant trade outweighs these minor successes, preventing the offseason from being deemed successful.

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