Biggest Question About Every NBA Team (Western Conference)

Oklahoma City Thunder

Who will emerge as the second guy outside of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander? When does Oklahoma City decide when it's time to cash in some assets? Or does OKC even need to cash in some assets in order to become a top six seed in West, due to the progression of the players currently on the roster? How does Chet Holmgren look this season? Does one of Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, or Josh Giddey emerge as a legit second option next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander? This is the most interesting young team in the NBA to me and it will be very interesting how this team progresses over the next few years.

San Antonio Spurs

Obviously, this entire season revolves around Victor Wembanyama. Not only keeping him healthy, not only developing him, but really figuring out what his role will be on this team. What are they going to prioritize in terms of development because he can do so many different things. Such as, be a perimeter player, be a tremendous defensive player, do they want to work on his off-ball spacing, do they want to make sure that he can create on the ball. What exactly does the San Antonio Spurs want to pinpoint? Do they want to develop in his game because that's going to decide who they surround him with during their rebuild. Their entire season revolves around Victor Wembanyama and potentially how good good they can be in his rookie season. Depending on how many games he plays.

Houston Rockets

The culture? How much of a difference Ime Udoka will be and make for Houston? This isn't emphasized enough but Houston has been the worst organization for the last three seasons (poor coaching, structure/development, management, and not utilizing their young players correctly). Now there's no more excuses for Houston. Yes, there's young pieces in Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, and Cam Whitmore. However; they invested in this roster by adding veteran pieces (Fred Van Fleet, Dillion Brooks, Jock Landale, and Jeff Green). They also invested in the coaching staff by bringing in Ime Udoka. If, they are still a bottom 5 team, then we are going to have some serious questions about what the future of this team. How good are these foundational pieces truly are, in (the young core). We'll really going to start asking these questions about this team if they can't figure it out. This season is how much of a difference does all of these new additions make? More importantly, does the new additions fit well, in the long term?

Portland Trailblazers

The development of young players. How good will Scoot Henderson look as a rookie? The progression of Shaedon Sharpe. How will Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams mesh with Scoot and Shaedon? The aftermath of the Damian Lillard trade. How much will Portland get in return for Malcolm Brodgon? Jerami Grant? Will he be moved by the trade deadline? Those are the biggest question marks for Portland.

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz are in an interesting position. Does Utah take a step back or do they take a step forward? Utah has the option to do both. Utah has a lot of talented young pieces (Lauri Markkanen, John Collins, Walker Lessler, Collin Sexton, Taylor Hendricks, Keyonte George, and Brice Sensabaugh). They have a lot and enough young talent where they could certainly push for a Play-In/Playoff spot. They can choose to make a push towards the playoffs and cash in some of their assets for a playoff push or they could choose to trade some of their assets and take a step back. Does Utah believe they have a foundational piece to build around? The direction Utah ultimately decides to go towards is my biggest question and Utah will need to pick a direction.

Dallas Mavericks

How will Dallas build around Luka Doncic? How will the duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving mesh together? The way Dallas decides to build around over the next couple of years is a big question mark. Whether the duo of Luka and Kyrie are still together. Whether Dallas goes out and try to get another star alongside Luka and Kyrie. Whether Dallas decides to push in all of their assets to build a contender around Luka. That's something Dallas needs to be invested in and it will be intriguing to see how all of this plays out over the next couple of years.

Minnesota Timberwolves

What will Minnesota do about the Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert pairing? With the ascension of Anthony Edwards and emergence as the number one guy. Will one of Karl-Anthony Towns or Rudy Gobert have to be traded in order to get the maximum value of this roster? How will Minnesota decide to build around Anthony Edwards? The direction, in which, Minnesota decides to build around Anthony Edwards over the next couple of years will be intriguing and is a big question mark.

New Orleans Pelicans

The health of Zion Williamson? The Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram experiment? Can Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram in order to see their full capabilities as a duo? We know how good New Orleans are when Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram are healthy. However; there's obvious injury concerns due to the amount of injuries the duo has suffered over the last couple of seasons and at what point does New Orleans decides that its enough of the Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram? If New Orleans has another season where they look good when healthy but Zion Williamson or Brandon Ingram have issues staying healthy. Both of those guys together never looks all that comfortable. Then, New Orleans will have a very interesting decision to make.

Sacramento Kings

Can Sacramento take that next step and become Western Conference Finals contenders? Can De'Aaron Fox take another leap? Will Sacramento prove that they didn't overachieved last season? Sacramento were one of the best teams in the West last year, they were very competitive in the playoffs last season. How can Sacramento continue that momentum and take that next step in order to become contenders in the West.

Los Angeles Clippers

The health of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George? This has been the question surrounding the Clippers ever since Kawhi Leonard and Paul George came to LA. We know how good the Clippers are when Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are healthy. However; there's obvious injury concerns due to the amount of injuries the duo has suffered since arriving in LA and at what point does the Clippers decides that its enough and hit the reset button? If the Clippers has another season where they look good when healthy but Kawhi Leonard or Paul George have issues staying healthy. Then, it will be interesting to see what the Clippers decides to do.

Los Angeles Lakers

Will Anthony Davis finally take the reins from LeBron James? LeBron James is going into Year 21 and at this point in his career, LeBron James shouldn't be expected to carry the team. Over the past couple of years LeBron James has mentioned that he wants to pass the torch to Anthony Davis. I believe the roster is constructed well for Anthony Davis and LeBron James. In order for the Lakers to be real championship contenders, Anthony Davis needs to play up to his potential and become THE guy for the Lakers. Whether Anthony Davis plays to his fullest potential and finally take the reins from LeBron James or not, is what I will be focusing on this season.

Golden State Warriors

Does the Chris Paul situation work? Will the Warriors regret trading Jordan Poole? Does this trade ultimately becomes a salary dump or we're the Warriors just trying to get rid of the Jordan Poole contract? Will Chris Paul come off the bench? How impactful will Chris Paul be for the Warriors? This is easily the most intriguing and interesting question for the Warriors?

Phoenix Suns

Will the trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal work? Phoenix has gone under a complete roster overhaul, gave up all of their assets, and has obviously gone all in on their big three. How exactly will all of this work and play out is my biggest question for Phoenix. Phoenix will be one of the most intriguing teams to watch this season.

Memphis Grizzlies

The biggest question for Memphis is the Ja Morant situation. Ja Morant suspension is hanging over Memphis. How will he bounce back and return from his situation? What is the ceiling of this team? Will Jaren Jackson Jr. take an offensively leap? Is Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson, Desmond Bane, and the addition of Marcus Smart enough to make them true contenders in the West?

Denver Nuggets

How much does the offseason departures of Bruce Brown and Jeff Green matter? Is this something that's going to really impact the team not having Bruce Brown nor Jeff Green or is the combo of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and Aaron Gordon good enough where losing key role players doesn't matter. Can Denver repeat as NBA Champions? I expect Denver to be championship contenders once again this season, whether Denver repeats as championship or not is something we will find out once the season is over.