NBA Western Conference power rankings: Where do Nuggets rank after free agency?

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren, front right, pulls in a pass as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

One week into an unusually glacial season of NBA free agency, there remains one non-negotiable truth: The Western Conference is intimidatingly good. While the wait continues for Denver to get involved in the business of adding players, we pause to rank the West from worst to best. Where do the Nuggets stand among the 15 teams?

15. Portland Trail Blazers

The only team in the conference that feels truly irrelevant right now, but still talented enough to be a pest.

14. Utah Jazz

Commanding attention thanks to looming trade interest in Lauri Markkanen. If he is moved this summer, the Jazz will probably have a worse 2024-25 season than Portland, but their pockets will also get even deeper with draft picks.

13. San Antonio Spurs

Tanking for two years with Victor Wembanyama might feel like a long time, but it’s really not. Alas, that doesn’t appear to be the Spurs’ plan. Instead of targeting the loaded 2025 draft class, they targeted Chris Paul and a 40-win season. It’ll be a fun duo to watch at least, so congrats to League Pass subscribers.

12. Houston Rockets

This is where the exercise suddenly gets difficult. The Rockets are said to be in win-now mode, and there’s a lot to like about the young roster they’ve assembled in the last few drafts. But it feels like everyone is waiting for the big move that completes their plan, rather than eagerly anticipating what the current version of their team will look like.

11. Los Angeles Lakers

So to recap: LeBron James was supposedly willing to take a pay cut in order for the Lakers to sign a new starter with the cap space. Forty-eight hours passed without a free agent acquisition. The Lakers quickly settled for a max contract agreement with James, limiting their options. And so on a team that hasn’t finished higher than seventh in the last four seasons, the only newcomers to the roster are draft picks Dalton Knecht and Bronny James. It’s probably naïve to exclude the Lakers from the postseason picture when it’s a foregone conclusion that they’ll lead the NBA in trips to the foul line. But their depth must prove itself to earn more respect in future rankings.

10. Los Angeles Clippers

Four of five starters will be back, including All-NBA wing Kawhi Leonard. Sixth Man of the Year candidate Norman Powell will be back. Derrick Jones Jr., who was a starter for an NBA Finals team last season, will slot into the lineup. Kris Dunn and Nicolas Batum will provide bench reinforcements. The new arena will be glorious. The Clippers get to enjoy a bountiful “get well soon” goodie basket this season. It’s almost enough to help them forget about Paul George.

9. Golden State Warriors

The Warriors swung and missed on George and lost Klay Thompson in the process. It’s a bad look. But they’ve actually managed to piece together an otherwise decent offseason in the background. De’Anthony Melton and Kyle Anderson probably aren’t good enough to maximize what’s left of Steph Curry’s prime, but they’re decent. (And if you’re questioning whether Curry is still in his prime: He shot 40.8% on a league-leading 876 3-point attempts last season. Only four players attempted within 400 of him at a higher percentage.) Maybe Buddy Hield can be a Diet Splash Brother.

8. Sacramento Kings

Eleven through seven on this list are interchangeable, and as a result, none of the options feel quite right in the next two spots. Credit to the Kings for at least re-signing Malik Monk. Their summer has been quiet (so far — looking at you, Utah). But their core has proven it has a high regular-season ceiling.

7. Memphis Grizzlies

Ja Morant is back, and so are the Grizzlies! Maybe. Or maybe not. They might be the biggest wild card in the West, a feeling accentuated by the Zach Edey draft pick last month.

6. Phoenix Suns

The second apron is sending tremors through almost every front office in the NBA, except this one. The Suns accomplished pretty much the extent of what they were allowed to, signing Mason Plumlee at the minimum to replace Drew Eubanks. Their long-term future is in serious danger, and they might have to consider shipping Kevin Durant or Devin Booker if they’re not a contender at the 2025 trade deadline. But as Mat Ishbia sees it, by the time his 2032 and 2033 first-round picks freeze over due to the league’s new second apron rules, hell might have already.

5. New Orleans Pelicans

They have the high-ceiling star power necessary to compete for a title in Zion Williamson, whose talent started to peak through the clouds last season. They have the depth — arguably more than any team in the league. They have the dynamic and smart trade acquisition that every fanbase wants every offseason, in Dejounte Murray. And they have the flexibility to keep Brandon Ingram or trade him for other useful players or assets.

4. Minnesota Timberwolves

The same starting five and sixth man that toppled Denver to reach the Western Conference Finals, plus one year of development and maturity for Anthony Edwards. Minnesota’s only tangible roster changes have been on the back end of the rotation: Kyle Anderson and Monte Morris out, PJ Dozier and Joe Ingles in. Whether or not rookie Rob Dillingham pans out will be a critical storyline the next year or two after Tim Connelly’s bold trade-up in the draft.