As we look ahead to the upcoming NBA season, it’s hard not to be captivated by the intrigue and drama of the Western Conference. It’s a gauntlet- top to bottom, contenders are emerging, underdogs are rising, and established powers are refusing to go gently into that long good night. But nestled somewhere at the bottom of this chaotic mix is a franchise that seems almost guaranteed to struggle: your Portland Trail Blazers. Could they end up as the worst team in the Western Conference? Let’s dive into why this gloomy outlook feels increasingly likely.
The Western Powerhouses
The Denver Nuggets stand as the gold standard in the West. Still relatively fresh off their championship, they’re returning with their cohesively constructed squad with Nikola Jokic still in the prime of his career; their championship window is never closed. Their supporting cast will probably take some time to gel completely, but I’d expect them to be contending for the one seed by the end of the year.
Then there’s the Oklahoma City Thunder, led by superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and supported by an endlessly deep roster of talented young players, including rising stars Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, who could both be all-stars this upcoming year. The Thunder are seemingly the ultimate combination of youth, length, and energy, and they look primed to avenge their crushing playoff defeat from our next team.
Fresh off their first NBA finals together, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving should continue to be not only one of the best duos in the league but also contend as one of the best teams in the NBA. They both can take over a game on any given night and dazzle with their scoring and playmaking abilities. And their team of role players around them will have another year of honing in on Luka and Kyrie’s talents and patching the holes around the edges where the team needs them. The addition of Klay Thompson could prove to be the difference maker in his NBA finals fortune. In the best-case scenario, we could easily see Dallas back in the NBA finals.
The Mid-Tier Playoff Teams
But the West doesn’t just boast top-tier teams. There’s the middle of the playoff picture – dangerous and unpredictable teams. Look at the Sacramento Kings, who have a young core built around Fox and Sabonis, who are both stars at their positions. They recently added Demar Derozen as a veteran scorer to help push them deeper into the playoffs. While they may not scream championship contender, they’re hardly a team anyone can overlook. And then there are the Memphis Grizzlies. Despite a tumultuous couple of years for Ja Morant, he’s sent to return in full form. His elite athleticism and dynamic playmaking make the Grizzlies a threat for a top 6 seed.
And then there’s the Los Angeles duopoly. The Lakers and Clippers are both riding on the brittle but still formidable shoulders of aging stars. LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard, and James Harden might be past their primes, but when healthy, they can still flip a game on its head. The same can be said for the Golden State Warriors, who recently saw the end of the Splash Brothers era with Klay Thompson’s departure. Steph Curry remains an all-time great, but this iteration of the Warriors feels a little like a ship without a clear destination.
Don’t sleep on the San Antonio Spurs, either. After a rookie year full of jaw-dropping highlights, Victor Wembanyama is primed to make the leap. It’s easy to see him evolving into a legitimate superstar– maybe as soon as this season. The Spurs have surrounded him with versatile, complimentary pieces that fit Gregg Popovich’s system like a glove.
Each of these teams has a clear direction, star power, and a sense of identity. The same can’t be said for the Blazers, who stare at the bottom of the standings with a mix of untapped potential and unanswered questions.
The Blazers’ Uncertain Path
All this leads us back to Portland, where optimism is hard to find. With Damian Lillard gone, the Blazes are officially in the post-Dame era, and things are looking … rough. Head coach Chauncey Billups, while celebrated as a player, remains unproven as a coach. This season could be a breaking point regarding his ability to lead and cultivate talent while implementing an effective coaching philosophy.
There’s undoubted talent – Anfernee Simons, Scoot Henderson, and Shaedon Sharpe are a trio of explosive young guards who can score in bunches. Simons has shown flashes of being an elite shooter, while Henderson has the swagger and athleticism of a future star, and Sharpe’s raw, above-the-rim athleticism makes him a human highlight reel. However, their skill sets overlap so much that it’s hard to see a path where all three can thrive together long-term. The Blazers are at a crossroads, and it feels like they’ll trade one of their young guards to commit to a new direction fully.
Up front, Donovan Clingan should be an intriguing addition. The big man has the size and instincts to protect the rim and make an impact on the glass. He’s a giant in the middle and should help plug some of the defensive gaps that have plagued Portland for years. But expecting him to swing this team’s fortunes significantly feels like a stretch. Clingan’s impact will be felt, but not in a way that drastically alters the Blazer’s immediate outlook.
Hope on the Horizon?
If there’s a silver lining for Portland fans, it’s the possibility of bottoming out and securing a high draft pick. Enter Cooper Flagg, the next potential star on everyone’s radar. Flagg’s blend of size, skill, and competitive fire has scouts drooling, and there’s already talk that he could be a transformative player in the NBA. IF the Blazers can manage to tank hard enough to land the No. 1 pick, Flagg could be the franchise cornerstone they desperately need to build around.
For now, though, it will be a season of growing pain, frustrating losses, and more than a few nights where the Blazers look utterly outmatched. There will be moments of brilliance from the young guards, Clingan will have his games where he looks like the future, and maybe there will be flashes that make you think, “Maybe there’s something here.” But until they find a clear direction and a coach that can unify this talent into something cohesive, the Blazers are staring down the barrel of a season at the bottom of the Western Conference. And maybe, just maybe, that’s exactly where they need to be.
