How many teams have we leapfrogged?

[Porckchop]

Suns, Warriors, Nuggets ,Clippers and Wolves should be the class of the western conference.

[Coolbreeze44]

We are really good, no question about that. Should be top 10 in both offense and defense. Anything lower than 4th in the West would be a big disappointment.

[SameOldNudityDrew]

I mostly agree with your list there, Pork, with a couple exceptions.

I don't think the Nuggets will be as good as those others.

I do think Memphis could still end up being really good by the end of the season, though losing JJJ for the first couple months, and also losing Melton could give them a slow start. They could be a candidate to have a somewhat less impressive record next season than last, though they could still end up being strong at the end of the year.

Dallas was in the WCF and some picked them to even go to the finals, but losing Brunson hurts, and I'm not sure adding Wood will help them that much.

The Suns could take a step back depending on what happens with Ayton. They'll probably get somebody in a sign and trade, but it remains to be seen who that will be.

I could honestly see the Clippers and (gulp) Timberwolves at the top of the Western Conference in the regular season next year, maybe with the Warriors next, then Phoenix and Memphis, then finally Dallas and Denver and Portland(?) or New Orleans (which could be really good if Zion comes back healthy). That seems crazy just to write. I definitely would not sleep on the Warriors though. They'll miss Payton, but on the whole, that team will still be great. Man, the West is strong and deep.

[Wolvesfan21]

Assuming a mostly healthy season by Ant, Rudy and KAT I see a possibility of being the 1 seed. That needs to be the goal at this point.

[Coolbreeze44]

Much depends on where Durant ends up. If he teams up with Booker, watch out.

[davemang]

It would be something if we drove up the Durant price beyond Phoenix's threshold. Durant to the western conference is my biggest fear now that we're all in to win now.

[mrhockey89]

Wolves are at worst the 4 seed at this point, with all sorts of upside.

Like others, I'm concerned about the potential of KD in Phoenix.