Biggest Question Marks for Every NBA Western Conference Team

You can check out our biggest questions surrounding each Eastern Conference team here.

The NBA free agency period began with several blockbuster trades and record-breaking deals, but there is still plenty of time left for even more league-altering moves. Here’s a look at some questions for each Western Conference team for the remainder of the free agency period:

Dallas Mavericks

Can the Mavs replace Jalen Brunson?

The Mavs' biggest loss during free agency was Brunson, who took a better deal to play for the New York Knicks. Without Brunson, the team's second-leading scorer last season, the burden falls even more on superstar Luka Doncic.

The Mavs' only hope is that first-round draft pick Jaden Hardy improves sooner than later. Otherwise, a repeat trip to the Western Conference finals is likely out of the question.

Denver Nuggets

Are the Nuggets finally ready to dethrone the Golden State Warriors?

The Nuggets had the league's MVP the past two seasons. Now, can they stake a claim as the best team?

The Nuggets had one of the NBA's top free agency periods by adding Bruce Brown, DeAndre Jordan, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. That should give Nikola Jokic a strong enough supporting cast to contend with the Warriors and Phoenix Suns.

The Nuggets are no worse than the third-best team in the Western Conference because of their moves in free agency.

Golden State Warriors

Who replaces Gary Payton II?

Losing Payton to the Trail Blazers hurt the Warriors because of his strong defensive play, especially during the postseason. However, Golden State shouldn't worry too much. They plucked Donte DiVincenzo, another defense-first player, from the Sacramento Kings.

More importantly, they also still have Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Jordan Poole. In short, the Warriors will be fine next season.

https://twitter.com/warriors/status/1551573736322519040

Houston Rockets

Do the Rockets need to add experience to their young core?

The Rockets traded away their leading scorer, Christian Wood, after the season to the Mavericks. While Wood was one of the league's most coveted free agents, the Rockets were able to get younger with his departure. They will now attempt to build around first-team All-Rookie Jae’Sean Tate and No. 3 pick Jabari Smith out of Auburn. 

Youngsters Jalen Green and Josh Christopher, who are both 20, are also part of the centerpiece. Their average age is 21, so the Rockets may need to add some experience while they await their development.

Los Angeles Clippers

Does John Wall have anything left?

At one time, Wall was considered one of the league's top players. Injuries have slowed him the past few years so his signing with the Clippers was met with little fanfare.

Wall joins a team that already has Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. With the re-signing of Nicolas Batum, the Clippers have a roster that screams contender on paper.

A lot of that will depend on Wall, who has played just 113 games since 2017-18 because of injuries.

Los Angeles Lakers

Do the Lakers need to dump Russell Westbrook?

Westbrook is set to make over $47 million this season, so moving him won't be easy. Still, he has been linked with several teams in trade possibilities. The most popular deal is some sort of package sending Westbrook to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Kyrie Irving.

The Lakers better move Westbrook sooner than later because his value is declining. He's no longer the player who once was a triple-double machine.

Memphis Grizzlies

Are the Grizzlies still too young to be taken seriously?

The Grizzlies surprised the league by earning the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference last season only to lose to the more experienced Warriors in the second round. While they grabbed four talented rookies in the draft, their biggest signing may have been veteran guard Danny Green.

Green has plenty of experience, including four NBA finals appearances. He could serve as the perfect mentor for the younger players.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Can Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert coexist in the frontcourt?

The Timberwolves surprisingly acquired Rudy Gobert during free agency for a collection of draft picks and players. It shocked so many because they already had Towns at center. Now, Towns will move to power forward and play alongside Gobert, the three-time Defensive Player of the Year.

Gobert's presence on defense should free things up for Towns and rising star Anthony Edwards. The Timberwolves will miss Patrick Beverley and Malik Beasley, who were involved in the Gobert trade, but could find themselves contending in the West with their dominant frontcourt.

New Orleans Pelicans

Was the Zion Williamson signing worth it?

The Pelicans re-signed Williamson to a five-year, $193-million max rookie extension. While Williamson has a tremendous upside, he dealt with injuries for most of his career.

The Pelicans are banking on him remaining healthy and serving as the cornerstone for the franchise for the next several years. Playing alongside C.J. McCollum, who was acquired at last season's trade deadline, should make things easier for Williamson.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Is Chet Holmgren comfortable as the face of the organization?

The Thunder are nowhere among the league's contenders, so rookie Chet Holmgren takes over as the main attraction.

Holmgren, the No. 2 pick in the draft out of Gonzaga, is expected to be an opening-day starter. He averaged 14 points, 8.4 rebounds, two assists, 2.8 blocks, and one steal during the summer league. The Thunder chose Kevin Durant the last time they had the No. 2 selection.

The franchise can only hope for a similar outcome.

Phoenix Suns

Was keeping Deandre Ayton the right move for the Suns?

Shortly before free agency began, Kevin Durant requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix was among his preferred destinations.

Despite being the favorites, the Suns fell out of the Durant sweepstakes once they decided to re-sign Ayton. The Indiana Pacers made Ayton an offer but the Suns matched. In doing so, they eliminated themselves from Durant contention because the Nets wanted Ayton in the trade and he now cannot be traded until the new year.

The Suns thinking is simple: they feel they have enough to compete for a championship without Durant. Last year they were the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference before being upset by the Mavericks in the second round.

https://twitter.com/Suns/status/1549242800285159424

Portland Trail Blazers

How much will the Jerami Grant and Gary Payton II signings help?

Blazers guard Damian Lillard has taken pride in playing for the same team throughout his career and the organization rewarded his loyalty with an impressive free agency.

The signings of Grant and Payton should help the Blazers improve their standing in the Western Conference. In Grant, Portland gets a solid No. 2 option behind Lillard. In Payton, the Blazers get a ferocious defender who has championship experience after playing for the Warriors last season.

Their presence should take some of the pressure off Lillard.

Sacramento Kings

Did the Kings lessen the load on De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis?

The Kings relied heavily on Fox and Sabonis a year ago but now have added reinforcements.

They signed Malik Monk and Kevin Huerter earlier this month to bolster the backcourt. Monk is coming off a breakout year after averaging 13.8 points with the Lakers. Huerter was a consistent performer with the Atlanta Hawks throughout his four seasons.

Their ability to score from the perimeter should free things up for Fox and Sabonis, who could become one of the league's top duos.

San Antonio Spurs

Is Keldon Johnson ready to lead a rebuilding project?

The Spurs admit they are in a rebuilding process.

With the departure of Dejounte Murray to Atlanta, the responsibility to lead the team falls upon Johnson. He was the second-leading scorer behind Murray last season. The Spurs put their hopes in Johnson by signing him to a four-year, $80-million deal.

Johnson, a first-round pick in 2019, averaged 17.1 points and shot 39.8 from the 3-point line last season. 

Utah Jazz

Can they re-sign or find a suitable trade package for Donovan Mitchell?

The Mitchell saga has been the talk of the Jazz's offseason, especially since they traded Rudy Gobert earlier this month.

Mitchell expressed his unhappiness with the organization after the firing of coach Quin Snyder only to say he wasn't ready for a trade. Now, he is back on the trade block.

At this point, the Jazz should probably move him because the chances of him remaining in Utah long-term are highly unlikely. The Knicks and Heat are among Mitchell's biggest suitors.

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