The new NBA season is about to begin, and the Western Division will continue the melee situation of "multiple powers coexisting". Although the defending champion Thunder is in the lead, powerful teams such as the Rockets, Nuggets and Mavericks have posed a real threat through offseason reinforcements.

First echelon: Thunder leads the way, followed by the Nuggets, Rockets and Mavericks

As the defending champion, the integrity of the Thunder's core lineup has become its biggest advantage. During the offseason, the Thunder completed contract extensions with Alexander, Holmgren and Jaylen Williams, locking in the future with three maximum-salary contracts. At the same time, the team also retained the main rotation that won last season's championship. This young Thunder team has the potential to build a dynasty, but injuries may still become its "Achilles' heel." The highly anticipated rookie Sauber is out for the season, and Holmgren will have to shoulder more responsibilities in confrontation. In addition, the external competition faced by the Thunder is also unprecedentedly fierce.

The Nuggets acquired Cameron Johnson through a trade and also signed experienced veterans such as Bruce Brown and Valanciunas, successfully solving the problem of a shortage of rotation last season. Jokic is still in his prime, averaging 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds and 10.2 assists in the regular season last season. His dominant performance was formidable. In the new season, the Nuggets' balanced lineup inside and outside makes them one of the teams most capable of challenging the Thunder.

After the Rockets introduced Kevin Durant, the team's offensive ability has jumped to the top ranks. Durant's scoring efficiency of 26.6 points per game in the regular season last season was still among the top in the league. The "three-core lineup" formed by him, Amen Thompson and Shen Jing was excellent both offensively and defensively. However, the injury risks of main point guard VanVleet and the defensive stability of young players may become shortcomings that restrict the team from going further.

With the addition of the new top pick Flagg, the Mavericks, who have many superstars and strong inside capabilities, have undoubtedly become a team worth looking forward to in the new season. Of course, this team also needs to deal with multiple challenges such as Irving's injury troubles, Flagg's rookie adjustment period, and overall health.

Spoilers: Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles duo

During the offseason, while the Golden State Warriors retained Payton Jr. and Melton, the addition of veteran Horford also effectively filled the interior vacancy after Looney left the team. Kuminga's stay on the team has added more changes to the Warriors' tactical system to a certain extent, but how far the Warriors can go in the new season still depends to a large extent on the performance of the three core players Curry, Butler and Green. These three core players are all over 35 years old. Whether they can continue to maintain efficient combat effectiveness has become the Warriors' biggest concern in the new season. Last season, it was Curry's accidental injury that directly led to the team's regrettable exit in the second round of the playoffs.

The Los Angeles duo is caught in the dilemma of "coexistence of opportunities and risks". James' injury has cast a shadow on the Lakers' start to the season. The 40-year-old superstar will miss the opening game and the following 3 to 4 weeks due to injury. Doncic, who leads the team as a single core, needs to prove his leadership ability. It remains to be seen whether the newly joined Ayton, Smart and others can give the team enough help. During the offseason, the Clippers sent away Powell and successfully introduced powerful players such as Bill, Paul, Lopez and Collins. The team's inside strength and the shortcomings of the second ball-holding point have been significantly strengthened. However, the health status of the team's core players has always been like the Sword of Damocles hanging high, especially Leonard's poor physical tolerance, making the Clippers' prospects full of variables.

Dark horse: Timberwolves and Spurs

The Timberwolves' confidence comes from Edwards. In the regular season last season, Edwards averaged 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. His three-point shooting rate was as high as 42.5%, helping the team reach the Western Conference finals with the third place in the Western Conference. During the offseason, the Timberwolves retained the core trio of Edwards + Gobert + Randle. However, the team's outstanding defensive line aging risks have not changed. The 38-year-old Mike Conley was already exhausted last season.

The Spurs represent the future hope of the Western Conference. Wenbanyama has returned from injury. The dominance he showed in the preseason is exciting. In addition, the French player is paired with De'Aaron Fox, who is also healthy, and is expected to accelerate the team's rebuilding process.

Among other teams, Durant's departure is not a bad thing for the Suns. Jaylen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick (Maluacchi) and five second-round picks gave the team a lot of money. The subsequent buyout of Bill also announced that the Suns had completely bid farewell to the era of the Big Three. In the new season, the Suns have a younger and more balanced lineup. The backcourt combination of Booker and Jaylen Green is the team's biggest support, and the playoff spot is the direction for the players' efforts. The Grizzlies sent away core player Bane and strengthened new coach Isalo. This series of operations indicates that the team is embarking on a difficult road to reconstruction. The most eye-catching thing about the Trail Blazers is the joining of Chinese player Yang Hansen. However, it will still take time to become the backbone of the Western Conference. It is currently difficult for the Pelicans, Kings and Jazz to make major breakthroughs in the new season.

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