From CBS Sports · · 3m
NBA Western Conference Tiers: Spurs and Thunder in Their Own Group
Spurs and Thunder dominate Western Conference, with Lakers in a new-look group.
In brief
Spurs and Thunder dominate Western Conference, with Lakers in a new-look group. The NBA's Western Conference features the Spurs and Thunder as top teams, with the Lakers rebuilding after LeBron's departure. Originally reported by CBS Sports.
Western Conference Tiers
The Western Conference has two elite teams at the top who are among the favorites to challenge for a championship.
Tier 1: Heavyweights
Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs are the top teams in the Western Conference.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder won the title two years ago and are now battling the Spurs for the Western Conference.
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs reached the NBA Finals for the first time in nine years with Dylan Harper as a key player.
Tier 2: Punchers' Chance
Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, and Minnesota Timberwolves are in the second tier of the Western Conference.
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets have Nikola Jokic, who has shown time and time again that he makes everyone around him better.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets lost Fred VanVleet to an ACL injury and are struggling to find a new point guard.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Wolves added LaMelo Ball and are taking a chance on a talented but flawed player.
Tier 3: Playoffs by Default
The Los Angeles Lakers are likely to make the playoffs after signing Austin Reaves and overhauling their roster.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers signed Austin Reaves to a four-year deal worth $184 million and acquired Walker Kessler.
Tier 4: Desperate to Be in the Mix
Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, Utah Jazz, and Phoenix Suns are in the fourth tier of the Western Conference.
Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers hired Micah Nori as the new coach and traded for Ja Morant.
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors kept Steph Curry in Golden State with a discount deal worth $115 million over two years.
Utah Jazz
The Jazz acquired Jaren Jackson Jr. from the Grizzlies and are ready to win now.
Phoenix Suns
The Suns won 45 games without Kevin Durant and are working their way out of the play-in.
Tier 5: Best of a Bad Bunch
Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies are in the fifth tier of the Western Conference.
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks have Cooper Flagg as a rookie and Kyrie Irving back after an ACL injury.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies traded Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah and have Cameron Boozer as their new rookie.
Tier 6: Rest of a Bad Bunch
New Orleans Pelicans, Los Angeles Clippers, and Sacramento Kings are in the sixth tier of the Western Conference.
New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans have Joe Dumars confused about changes to the front office.
The big picture
The NBA's Western Conference features the Spurs and Thunder as top teams, with the Lakers rebuilding after LeBron's departure.
