West Remains Deep Sets Stage for 2025-26 NBA Contenders

As the 2025-26 NBA regular season opens, the Western Conference is widely viewed as the league's deepest and most competitive, with the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors among the teams most frequently cited as contenders. The Los Angeles Lakers are drawing special attention after completing a major roster reshuffle that pairs LeBron James with Luka Doncic for their first full season together and adds frontcourt depth, while several other clubs face season-defining questions about injuries and role integration.

Former NBA point guard and analyst Jeff Teague laid out one commonly heard ordering of Western contenders, placing the Thunder and Nuggets at the top and the Timberwolves and Warriors close behind. He singled out Anthony Edwards as a likely MVP candidate, saying, "AE, he's gonna be in the MVP race this year." Oddsmakers also reflect high expectations, with betting lines projecting the Thunder for more than 62 wins.

The Lakers enter the year with new pieces intended to support Doncic and James. The club added center Deandre Ayton and forward Jake LaRavia in the frontcourt and veteran Marcus Smart in...