NBA offseason grades: Western Conference

With two weeks to go until the 2024-25 NBA season kicks off, rosters are more or less set after a busy offseason of draft picks, free-agency signings, and trades.

Here's a look at how each Western Conference team fared this summer, taking into account motivations, resources, and both short-term and long-term planning.

To view the Eastern Conference grades, click here.

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DAL | DEN | GSW | HOU | LAC | LAL | MEM | MIN | NOP | OKC | PHX | POR | SAC | SAS | UTA

Dallas Mavericks: A+

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Expect No. 1 pick Flagg to shine while filling multiple roles in Jason Kidd's lineups. That's also great news for Dallas' other significant summer addition, Russell, who's a great, low-cost stopgap while Kyrie Irving recovers from a torn ACL. Imagine the potential off-ball opportunities for both Russell and Klay Thompson in an offense that runs heavily through the 6-foot-9 Flagg while Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II lurk inside. It's a coverage nightmare.

Most importantly, Dallas is now spoiled for depth. Flagg was a literal lucky bounce, but signing Russell in free agency and extending Irving, Daniel Gafford, and P.J. Washington capped a near-perfect offseason. The only way the Mavs could undo all their work is by trading Flagg to the Los Angeles Lakers in seven years.

Denver Nuggets: A+

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Denver is primed to compete for another NBA title. Valanciunas gives the Nuggets an experienced backup for Nikola Jokic after the team got little production from Saric and Zeke Nnaji over the last few years. The Lithuanian remains an elite rebounder and gives Jamal Murray another lethal pick-and-roll partner.

The trade for Johnson not only netted the Nuggets a 3-point shooter who's similarly effective as Porter, but it also gave them the financial flexibility to make additional moves. Denver was able to sign Brown and Hardaway to minimum contracts. Brown's two-way versatility was a key part of their 2023 championship squad, while Hardaway should bolster a unit that made the third-fewest threes last season.

Golden State Warriors: A-

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The Warriors finally settled on a two-year, $48.5-million deal with Jonathan Kuminga that satisfies everyone; with a team option in Year 2, Golden State avoids an expensive commitment to the 23-year-old, who in turn maintains some control over his future if traded midseason. In the meantime, Kuminga will have a key rotation role on an aging squad, affording him ample opportunity to overwrite his disappointing end to last season.

Though he's entering his age-39 campaign, Horford solves the Warriors' long-running starting center dilemma with the bonus of being a long-distance threat. Family links aside, Seth Curry, who led the NBA in 3-point percentage (45.6%) last season, is the perfect veteran guard to take pressure off a young second unit. Age is but a number, and the only number the Warriors care about is championship No. 8.

Houston Rockets: A-

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Is Durant the missing piece? The Rockets' first-round defeat to the Warriors further highlighted the team's need for a half-court scorer. Durant appears to have some gas left in the tank: He averaged 26.6 points on 52.7% shooting during his age-36 season. He also ranked fifth in isolation points (320) and tied for ninth in clutch scoring (100). The front office managed to acquire Durant without sacrificing multiple first-rounders, Amen Thompson, or Alperen Sengun.

The Rockets also poached Finney-Smith from the Lakers to give themselves a 3-and-D wing to replace Brooks. Steven Adams, Fred VanVleet, and Jabari Smith all received new deals to solidify Houston's rotation for both the present and future, even if VanVleet misses the whole year with his torn ACL. Capela's three-year, $21.1-million contract is reasonable for a backup center, but it wasn't necessary with Adams already returning.

Los Angeles Clippers: B+

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No team has had a more eventful offseason than the Clippers. But look past all the dubious eco-friendly marketing deals for a second and there are some things to like about the team's summer.

Paul reunites with former Rockets teammate James Harden, but they probably won't share the floor like they did in Houston, with Paul more likely to lead an experienced second unit featuring fellow newcomer Lopez. Beal's backcourt fit with Harden is one of the largest question marks entering the season, but a healthy Kawhi Leonard should help cover up any potential defensive inefficiencies. The Clippers also sent metaphorical peanuts to Utah for Collins, whose shooting should complement Ivica Zubac in the frontcourt and give all their talented guards another running partner.

Los Angeles Lakers: B

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LeBron James is returning for an eighth season with the Lakers after exercising his $52.6-million player option. Los Angeles split its non-taxpayer mid-level exception between Ayton and LaRavia. Ayton is a clear upgrade at the center position and provides Luka Doncic with a lob threat in the pick-and-roll. While LaRavia isn't up to par with Finney-Smith defensively, he's a career 37.1% 3-point shooter for a fraction of the price, and Smart gives the roster a much-needed physical presence on defense.

The front office's moves might not bring the franchise much closer to a championship this season, but at least the Lakers know they've got Doncic locked in as their centerpiece.

Memphis Grizzlies: B+

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If a team offers four first-rounders, a pick swap, and a pair of veterans for Bane, you'd be a fool not to listen. The Grizzlies did exactly that when the Magic came calling. Instead of using the trade as a catalyst for a roster overhaul, Memphis renegotiated Jaren Jackson Jr.'s deal into a five-year, $240-million extension that would have been much more costly had he made All-NBA and triggered a contractual clause.

Santi Aldama's three-year, $52.5-million agreement was a shrewd move, and Jerome adds some needed backcourt depth. The Grizzlies used one of the picks they acquired in the Bane deal in a trade to move up five spots for Coward and will hope he turns into a rotation piece.

Minnesota Timberwolves: C

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Fresh off two successive runs to the West finals, the Timberwolves were tasked with improving the roster enough to get them over the hump. Instead, they rewarded Julius Randle with a three-year, $100-million deal and agreed to a five-year, $125-million extension with fan favorite Naz Reid - a sizable contract for a backup big who started 17 games in 2024-25.

Yes, Reid is arguably the best backup big in the NBA, but the T-Wolves performed better with lineups that included Rudy Gobert at center with Reid on the bench, and the financial outlay meant the team couldn't pay Alexander-Walker. Frenchman Joan Beringer was a savvy draft pick, however, and the teen looked like an elite rim-protector in Summer League.

New Orleans Pelicans: C+

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With Dejounte Murray expected to be out until 2026, the Pelicans filled their hole at point guard twice over with Poole and seventh overall pick Fears. Poole's defense and decision-making have earned criticism, but he may thrive in a lower-usage role flanked by defensive anchors like Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones, and an apparently rejuvenated Zion Williamson. Fears can then ease in with a new-look bench unit that isn't held together with duct tape.

Sacrificing their unprotected 2026 first-rounder to trade up for Queen, though, may come back to haunt the Pelicans. That's not a knock on Queen, who exudes potential despite his questionable defensive efforts in Summer League, but it puts considerable pressure on a young, historically unlucky squad in a difficult conference - regardless of what Joe Dumars says.

Oklahoma City Thunder: A

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Unlike the rest of the league's 29 teams, the defending champions' offseason plans had a singular focus, and they didn't acquire a player via trade or free agency. Sam Presti and the Thunder checked off all the boxes, first agreeing to a record four-year, $285-million supermax extension with MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander that kicks in for the 2027-28 season.

The Thunder then secured Chet Holmgren's services with a five-year, rookie max contract worth up to $287 million and signed All-NBA third-team selection Jalen Williams to the same deal days later. The latter two agreements don't take effect until 2026-27, meaning the organization is a season away from some potentially difficult decisions. Oklahoma City still has a surplus of draft capital that could help the team keep its core together.

Phoenix Suns: C-

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A series of brash past moves put the Suns in a tight spot this summer. The team is financially hamstrung - a dilemma that was in no way helped by giving Devin Booker another two years and $133 million on his existing deal, never mind the $19.4 million in dead money that Beal's buyout costs against the cap. Phoenix could have done worse than turning Durant into Brooks, Green, and the pick that became Maluach.

Still, Mat Ishbia's tenure as Suns owner has been pockmarked by ill-advised decisions. Gifted a chance to blow it up and spark a much-needed rebuild, the organization instead decided to field a semi-competitive team that has zero chance of upsetting the balance of power in the West.

Portland Trail Blazers: D+

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Portland's summer effectively communicated one message: Don't expect much. Yang could very well turn out to be a great big, but the Trail Blazers likely didn't need to rush to take the Chinese center 16th overall - their only selection in this year's draft. The fact that Portland still employs three other centers only invites further scrutiny.

The Blazers did, however, bring in a pair of highly respected vets to mentor their fledgling guard duo of Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson. Holiday's championship experience coupled with his effort at both ends should provide a template for how their respective games can evolve. The injured Lillard's homecoming allows the franchise icon to share what he's learned with a Portland squad still finding its footing. Moral victories will be aplenty; unfortunately, those don't count in the standings.

Sacramento Kings: D+

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The goodwill from Sacramento's long-awaited playoff appearance two years ago is all but gone. Head coach Mike Brown and general manager Monte McNair are no longer with the organization. All-Star guard De'Aaron Fox was dealt midseason to the San Antonio Spurs, which created a void at the point. New GM Scott Perry addressed that need with a sign-and-trade for Schroder, but created another hole in the process - Sacramento dealt Valanciunas to the Nuggets in order to accommodate Schroder's contract without going into the luxury tax.

The Kings' best offseason move was trading for Clifford in the draft. The Colorado State product earned All-Summer League first-team honors, and his versatile skill set should allow him to contribute immediately. But Sacramento didn't do much else to help a bottom-10 defensive unit.

San Antonio Spurs: B

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Despite rumors of trades for Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo that would have fast-tracked the Spurs' rise, the team stayed the course with a young core that's blessed with a suddenly stacked backcourt after drafting Harper. The No. 2 pick, Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle, and De'Aaron Fox give Mitch Johnson a wealth of options, though Fox's new four-year, $229-million max extension could make him hard to move in the future if Harper and Castle cement themselves as the starting guards.

Signing Kornet also significantly improves San Antonio's backup center spot behind Victor Wembanyama. Expect Harrison Barnes and Keldon Johnson to once again become trade bait at the deadline depending on where the Spurs are in a stacked Western Conference.

Utah Jazz: C-

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All signs point toward another season in the West's cellar. Utah's all-in on its youth after buying out Clarkson and trading Sexton and Collins. While the veteran trio collectively netted just one second-round pick, the likes of Bailey and Clayton have a clear path to playing time in their rookie year.

The Jazz can afford to go through some growing pains as they evaluate who'll be part of the big picture. They owe next year's first-rounder to the Thunder if the pick falls outside of the top eight, so prioritizing their young talent puts them in the best position to keep their selection. Utah can also flip the expiring contracts of Nurkic, Love, and Niang at the trade deadline for more draft compensation.