NBA Offseason Analysis: The Biggest Mistake for Every Western Conference Team

The NBA offseason is a crucial period for every franchise, as the decisions made in the summer can determine whether a team contends for a championship or struggles in mediocrity. Each team faces unique challenges, and some front offices excel, while others falter. In this article, we’ll analyze the biggest mistake each team in the Western Conference made this offseason.

1. Dallas Mavericks: Letting Derrick Jones Jr. Walk

The Mavericks had a strong offseason overall, but letting Derrick Jones Jr. leave in free agency is a decision that may come back to haunt them. Jones’ versatile defense was a key asset during their playoff run. While the Mavericks managed to strengthen their roster in other areas, losing a defender of his caliber weakens their depth. The fact that the Clippers signed Jones for only $10 million a year suggests that the Mavericks could have retained him without breaking the bank.

2. Denver Nuggets: Banking on Russell Westbrook

The Nuggets have lost key contributors like Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in consecutive offseasons. To fill those voids, Denver is relying heavily on Russell Westbrook, a player whose ball-dominant style may not fit well with the reigning MVP Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray. At this stage in his career, Westbrook’s defensive ability is not on par with the players he’s replacing, and his fit in the Nuggets’ system remains highly questionable. Banking on him to plug multiple holes could prove to be a mistake.

3. Golden State Warriors: Playing it Safe

The Warriors, a dynasty in recent years, took a surprisingly conservative approach this offseason. With Steph Curry still playing at an MVP level, it’s surprising that they didn’t make bolder moves to maximize his remaining prime years. They allowed Klay Thompson to walk, bringing in players like De’Anthony Melton, Buddy Hield, and Kyle Anderson—none of whom elevate the Warriors back to contender status. Time is running out for Golden State to make another championship push.

4. Houston Rockets: Relying Too Much on Youth Development

Houston is loaded with promising young talent, but the Rockets made a risky decision by banking too heavily on internal development to make significant progress this season. While they drafted Reed Shepard, they didn’t make any significant veteran acquisitions to help guide their youthful roster. With the Western Conference as competitive as ever, Houston might find themselves stuck in the same position as last year without outside help.

5. Los Angeles Clippers: Letting Paul George Go

The Clippers’ decision to let Paul George walk in free agency could prove to be a franchise-altering mistake. George is still a premier two-way player, and his departure leaves a massive void in both scoring and defense. While Kawhi Leonard and James Harden remain on the roster, both are aging and have struggled with injuries. The Clippers signed Nicolas Batum and Derrick Jones Jr., but neither will provide the same impact as George, leaving the Clippers in a precarious position.

6. Los Angeles Lakers: Sticking with the Status Quo

The Lakers, despite their back-to-back play-in appearances, chose to run it back with largely the same team. While they added rookies Dalton Connect and Bronny James, these additions do not address the team’s lack of depth. LeBron James and Anthony Davis remain elite talents, but with tradeable assets in hand, the Lakers could have pursued more immediate upgrades to their supporting cast. By opting for continuity, they may find themselves again struggling to contend in the competitive Western Conference.

7. Memphis Grizzlies: Reaching for Zach Edey

Drafting Zach Edey with the ninth overall pick was perhaps the most controversial decision the Grizzlies made this offseason. Edey, a 7’4″ center, was projected as a late first-round pick. His game relies heavily on postup touches, a style of play that is increasingly rare in the modern NBA. His lack of foot speed also raises concerns about how effective he can be on the defensive end. Drafting him so high feels like a gamble that may not pay off for Memphis.

8. Minnesota Timberwolves: Overreliance on Youth

The Timberwolves had a solid draft, picking up Rob Dillingham and Teren Shannon in the first round, but beyond these rookies and an aging Joe Ingles, Minnesota made few notable offseason moves. While they already have a strong core, relying solely on rookies to improve their standing is risky. It’s unlikely that these young players will provide immediate help for a team with aspirations of competing in the upper echelon of the West.

9. New Orleans Pelicans: Ignoring the Center Position

New Orleans allowed Jonas Valančiūnas to leave in free agency without securing a viable replacement at center. With only rookie Efe Abogidi and backup Daniel Theis on the roster, the Pelicans are left with a glaring hole at one of the most critical positions. In a conference filled with dominant big men, this oversight could severely impact their ability to compete on both ends of the floor.

10. Oklahoma City Thunder: Not Capitalizing on Trade Assets

The Thunder have built one of the most promising young cores in the league, but they have yet to make the leap into true contention. With a war chest full of draft picks and financial flexibility, now would have been an ideal time to package some of those assets for a star player. Instead, Oklahoma City continues to prioritize slow, organic growth, potentially missing an opportunity to establish themselves as a force in the West.

11. Phoenix Suns: Accepting the Beal Situation

After trading for Bradley Beal last season, the Suns have limited flexibility to make significant changes to their roster due to his hefty contract. While they made a few solid moves around the edges, such as signing depth players, the Suns are largely locked into a flawed big three of Beal, Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker. In an ideal world, they would have found a way to move Beal again to free up space, but they seem resigned to the situation.

12. Portland Trail Blazers: Holding Onto Jerami Grant

Jerami Grant continues to produce at a high level, but at 30 years old, he doesn’t fit into Portland’s long-term rebuilding timeline. Rather than trading him for assets that could help them in the future, the Trail Blazers held onto Grant, missing an opportunity to accelerate their rebuild. While Grant is an underrated player, his value may diminish as Portland continues to focus on youth development.

13. Sacramento Kings: Overlooking Defense

Sacramento made a splash by signing DeMar DeRozan, but his arrival doesn’t address the Kings’ longstanding defensive issues in the frontcourt. While Keegan Murray is a solid defender, DeRozan’s defensive limitations could exacerbate Sacramento’s problems on that end. The Kings have an exciting, high-scoring team, but ignoring their need for defensive upgrades could prevent them from taking the next step.

14. San Antonio Spurs: Short-Term Solution at Point Guard

While Chris Paul’s addition will undoubtedly benefit Victor Wembanyama’s development, the Spurs are only delaying the inevitable need to find a long-term answer at point guard. Paul is an aging veteran and a temporary solution at best. San Antonio would have been better served by seeking a younger, permanent option to pair with their franchise cornerstone as they build for the future.

In summary, while every team made strides to improve, they each made decisions that could prove costly. Some teams, like the Mavericks and Nuggets, lost key players, while others, like the Thunder and Lakers, missed opportunities to make bold moves. Ultimately, the success or failure of these choices will play out over the course of the season, but the Western Conference remains as competitive as ever.