The Western Conference s new season strength list is released! The Thunder is unique, but we must admit that the four teams have the strength to eliminate them

Since the Thunder won the championship trophy last season, the Western Conference’s strong men set off a wave of targeted reinforcement in the offseason, among which the operations of the Nuggets and the Rockets were particularly impressive, and each signing was directly hit by pain points. After experiencing a crazy wave of signing and trading in the league, the free market gradually calmed down, but the NBA summer league also followed, sounding the clarion call for the new season. Zach Kram, a well-known reporter from the authoritative US media ESPN, recently gave a division of strength rankings based on the current situation of 15 teams in the Western Conference! The Thunder is still a unique existence, but many fans said that as long as the league no longer "supports" the Thunder, four teams are expected to drop it next season. Let's take a look!

The first echelon: The unique defending champion - Oklahoma City Thunder

As the team that dominated the West with a record 16 wins last season and finally won the championship, the Thunder's strength has long been verified. They have the most in-depth rotation in the league and the core players are extremely young, with Caruso, 31, and Kenridge, 30, the only two players over 27 years old. What's even more terrifying is that Homgren, who has only played 32 games due to injury, will return to full health in the new season, further enhancing his inside strength. Although they only welcomed their first round picks from last year, Topic had no other reinforcements during the offseason, the Thunder management successively offered maximum salary renewals to Alexander, Jaylen Williams and Chetholmgren. Such a heroic approach to calm the morale of the army undoubtedly allowed the three giants to show their strength without any scruples in the new season. Last season, the Thunder won 68 wins in the regular season, the best net score in history and showed strong dominance in the playoffs, making this youth team the most promising team to achieve consecutive championships since the Warriors of Durant era.

The second echelon: The most direct challenger - the Rockets and the Nuggets

The operation of the Rockets is very subversive. They resolutely sent away Jaylen Green, the core of progress that has been stagnant for four consecutive years, and replaced it with the 12th All-Star Durant, instantly filling the team's shortcomings in the "top offensive point"; renewed VanVleet for 2 years and 50 million to consolidate the core of the backcourt organization; signed Finney Smith for 53 million in 4 years and filled the gap in wing defense and space shooting; welcomed Capela back in 3 years and 21.5 million in 3 years and reshaped the inside franchise protection and rebound protection; renewed Jabary Smith for 5 years and 122 million in 5 years and locked in the long-term framework of the young core.

A few strokes have been strengthened, and the Rockets have completed the transformation from "Paper Tiger" to a real competitor. Durant's joining makes up for the shortcomings of the lack of playoff star quality, and Finney Smith, as a top 3D player, can not only provide outside defense but also open up space with a 41% three-point shooting percentage. The growth of young players such as Amen Thompson and Ethan has made the Rockets' lineup both depth and talent. Although the top talent is still slightly inferior to the Thunder, the Rockets have no obvious shortcomings. This team that combines superstar quality, role player adaptability and lineup depth has given the Rockets the capital to compete head-on with the Thunder.

Nuggets decisively sent away Michael Porter, who was in a fluctuating state, in exchange for Cameron Johnson, who had a more balanced offense and defense, which not only retained the threat of forward shooting, but also strengthened the hardness of the wing defense; then signed Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown at a minimum salary of one year. The former can provide stable outside firepower, while the latter is a panacea with defensive resilience and organizational ability. More importantly, by sending Salic off to clear the space and successfully retain Valanciunas, Jokic's substitute shortcomings were completely solved. After a series of operations, the Nuggets' lineup depth has achieved a qualitative leap, and will never reappear the embarrassment of only 6 players in the playoff rotation last season. The Nuggets, who have completed the upgrade, are enough to support them to deal with the Thunder in the high-intensity series.

The Timberwolves' position is very embarrassing, and their strength is not up or down. With Alexander Walker's transfer to the Hawks, the Timberwolves' backcourt rotation depth has plummeted: Mike Conley, who is about to turn 38, needs to face the physical fitness and condition test brought by age; Divincenzo's performance has always fluctuated and it is difficult to provide stable output; while the growth rate of sophomore Dillingham and Terence Shannon has not yet met the standard - the two played a total of 81 games last season, averaging only 8.8 points per game, obviously they cannot bear more responsibilities. The Timberwolves' operations during the offseason are more like "stabilization" than "upgrade": although Randall and Naz Reed renewed the contract to maintain the integrity of the lineup framework, they failed to achieve substantial reinforcement.

The third echelon: Potential disruptors

Los Angeles Clippers, Lakers, and Golden State Warriors are still forces that cannot be ignored despite being classified as "elderly kayaks". The combination of Leonard and Harden still has top offense and defense capabilities. The joining of the Grand Lopez solved the problem of substitute center, and the arrival of John Collins provides more tactical options. After Leonard's comeback last season, the Clippers ranked second in the West with a net efficiency of +7.2, and if they can stay healthy, they are fully capable of creating surprises in the playoffs. However, the age and injury risk of core players are still the biggest hidden dangers. If the Clippers can keep all members healthy in the playoffs, they have the ability to challenge and defeat the Thunder!

The Lakers and Warriors did not succeed in signing this year, but the Lakers have James and Doncicto bottoms, and the newly joined Ayton is also a blind box. If they can perform chemistry, the Lakers are still a playoff-level team. The Warriors face relatively more difficulties. They have not solved the problem of Cumingga's contract so far. With Curry and Butler a year older, the Warriors' prospects in the new season are not optimistic.

The Dallas Mavericks won the No. 1 pick in the draft, injecting new vitality into the team. Although the Mavericks are led by veterans such as Davis, Irving, Clay-Thompson, Flag's potential and control attributes may become the team's X factors. If Irving can return with full health, Russell remains stable, and with Flagg's growth, the Mavericks are expected to play the dark horse in the playoffs to challenge the Thunder.

, while the Spurs and the Grizzlies are in the fourth tier, while the Suns, Jazz, Trail Blazers, Kings and Pelicans are in the fifth tier. Overall, in the Western Conference in the new season, the Thunder is still the biggest favorite to compete for the championship, but the existence of the Rockets, Nuggets, Clippers and Mavericks makes the title full of variables, and they have the strength to defeat the Thunder. The Rockets' lineup depth, the Nuggets' substitute upgrade, the Clippers' dual-number strength and the Mavericks' No. 1 pick potential may all become X factors that shake the Thunder's Throne. Whether the Thunder can continue their dominance last season and achieve a successive championship will be the focus of the outside world.