NBA Free Agency: Best Western Conference offseason moves

It’s the beginning of the NBA season and each team is getting ready for the 82-game run to the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Let’s look at each Western Conference team’s best offseason acquisition.

15. Los Angeles Clippers

After a fairly quiet offseason from the Clippers, they seem ready to run it back with a similar team, minus Paul George.

Their most significant offseason move was Derrick Jones Jr., who signed with the Clippers for three-years, $30 million. He spent time off the bench in the playoffs for Dallas last season.

14. Utah Jazz

The Jazz come into this season in a complete rebuild, looking to build through the draft. They did this by drafting a 6-foot-7 inch tall forward from Colorado, Cody Williams.

The Jazz hope the explosive and defensively-inclined Williams can be the franchise Small Forward of the Jazz after an offseason filled with trade rumors of Lauri Markkanen.

13. Golden State Warriors

After losing Warriors’ legend Klay Thompson this offseason to the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State needed shooting to replace Thompson. They did this via a sign-and-trade with the Philadelphia 76ers for Buddy Hield.

Hield has been a popular trade target of contenders for many years because of his career 40% three-point percentage.

12. Memphis Grizzlies

With the Ninth pick of the 2024 NBA draft, the Grizzlies selected Zach Edey, a center from Purdue. Edey is a two-time National College Player of the Year Award winner.

He is expected to start at Center for the Grizzlies alongside Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant and will aid Memphis with both size and scoring in the paint.

11. Houston Rockets

The last draft pick on this list is the third overall pick, Reed Sheppard from Kentucky. There is plenty to love about Sheppard, the headliner being his impressive shooting ability at the age of 20. He will be a potent target of this Rockets offense as they try to launch themselves to the playoffs.

10. Denver Nuggets

After losing in the Western Conference Semifinals to Minnesota, the Nuggets made small moves to run it back with a similar unit.

The move they made was letting Kentavious Caldwell-Pope go to Orlando and signing Russell Westbrook to fill the hole. Westbrook is poised to be a sparkplug for Denver as they try to win their second ring in three years.

9. Portland Trailblazers

In July this summer the Trailblazers made a draft night trade with the Washington Wizards, sending Malcolm Brogdon, the 14th overall pick (Bub Carrington), a 2029 first-round pick, and two future second-round picks for Deni Avdija.

Avdija is under contract through 2027-2028 and will look to be a key piece of the Blazers moving forward.

8. San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs look to take a huge step forward this year as they added Chris Paul out of free agency for just one year, $10 million to aid in the playmaking troubles that plagued them last season.

This move feels similar to when Oklahoma City acquired Paul to assist in the development and production of now MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

7. Los Angeles Lakers

Instead of making a large move for a player this offseason, the Lakers wanted to change the culture by firing Darvin Ham and hiring JJ Redick.

This is a nice move for the Lakers, bringing in a high IQ mind with on-court experience in the modern NBA to dissect current defensive schemes and effectively break them down.

6. Dallas Mavericks

After their finals loss to the Celtics 4-1 last season the Mavericks went straight to work in free agency, making a historic six-team trade to acquire Klay Thompson from the Warriors, giving up two second-round draft picks to Golden State and Josh Green to Charlotte.

This is a large move to bolster the three-point shooting which at times alluded them in their playoff run.

5. Phoenix Suns

Our second and final coaching change on this list is by the Phoenix Suns, firing Frank Vogel and replacing him with Mike Budenholzer.

This is a positive move that will boost the Suns tremendously in the regular season, but will that boost continue in the playoffs?

4. Sacramento Kings

Seeking more star power to put with De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, the Kings made a trade with the Spurs and Bulls acquiring Demar Derozan for Harrison Barnes and Chris Duarte.

Derozan's midrange shooting ability will aid the Kings in their attempts to get deeper into

the playoffs.

3. New Orleans Pelicans

Beginning our top three are the Pelicans, who acquired Dejounte Murray from the Atlanta Hawks.

There is nothing bad to say about this trade for the Pelicans, they look like a complete team ready to compete with a big three of Murray, Zion Williamson, and Brandon Ingram.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves

The biggest trade of this offseason was by the Timberwolves and it was a surprise, trading Karl Anthony-Towns to the Knicks for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo.

This trade on paper seems somewhat fair though, KAT has been the centerpiece for the T-wolves since he was drafted. Regardless, this is a team everyone should expect to contend for the number one seed.

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

Lastly, the best addition in the Western Conference is Isaiah Hartenstein being added to an already talented Thunder roster.

This helps the very thin and undersized frontcourt group for the Thunder and only strengthens the idea that the Thunder may be the one seed. It is important to note Hartenstein will be out for at least one month with a hand injury.

Massimo Manfra is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email mgm6116@psu.edu.