Podcast Summary: The WAY TOO EARLY West Rankings

Release Date: July 3, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Athletic NBA Daily titled "The WAY TOO EARLY West Rankings," hosts Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, and Esfandiar Baraheni, along with regular NBA reporters Andrew Schlecht and Alex Spears, engage in an in-depth analysis of the Western Conference's current landscape. They categorize teams into various tiers, discuss potential trades, player developments, and forecast the upcoming NBA season's dynamics. This summary captures the key points, discussions, and insights from their conversation.

Tier Structure Overview

The hosts establish a tiered ranking system to evaluate Western Conference teams, categorizing them into:

1. Tanks – Teams likely to tank for better draft positions.
2. Play-In Teams – Teams on the cusp of making the playoffs.
3. Dark Horses – Underdog teams with potential to surprise.
4. Fringe Contenders – Teams bordering on being serious contenders.
5. Contenders – Top-tier teams expected to compete for the championship.

1. Tanks

Discussion Highlights:

• Sacramento Kings vs. New Orleans Pelicans: The conversation centers on whether these teams are intentionally tanking or simply struggling due to poor performance.

  • Andrew Schlecht [07:39]: "We have the tanking teams starting with the Jazz, who are expected to struggle significantly."

  • Xena [08:15]: "The Jazz are the only known intentional tankers, with other teams like the Kings and Pelicans struggling unintentionally."

  • Andrew Schlecht [09:16]: "Utah might win as few as 15 games, potentially starting two rookies to rebuild."

Key Takeaway: The Utah Jazz are identified as the primary intentional tankers, while other struggling teams like the Kings and Pelicans are not actively seeking to tank but are underperforming.

2. Play-In Teams

Discussion Highlights:

• Memphis Grizzlies and Portland Trail Blazers: Debates on their positioning within the play-in bracket and potential to advance.

  • Xena [07:09]: "Memphis is viewed as a strong play-in team due to their top-end talent like Jaren Jackson."

  • G [14:47]: "Memphis should be considered a play-in team because of their talent and playoff readiness."

Key Takeaway: The Memphis Grizzlies and Portland Trail Blazers are seen as pivotal play-in teams with the potential to secure playoff spots, contingent on player performances and team dynamics.

3. Dark Horses

Discussion Highlights:

• Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks: Evaluated for their potential to exceed expectations.

  • F [30:09]: "The Lakers could be considered dark horses due to potential improvements from LeBron James and offseason acquisitions."

  • Andrew Schlecht [36:36]: "The Mavericks have potential with Luka Doncic's development but face challenges with their supporting cast."

• Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets: Analysis of their depth and star power.

  • G [70:22]: "The Denver Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokić, are frontrunners due to their depth and synergy."

  • F [75:12]: "Houston has both star power and depth, making them strong candidates as dark horses."

Key Takeaway: The Lakers, Mavericks, Rockets, and Nuggets are identified as dark horses with significant upside, driven by star players and strategic acquisitions, though their ultimate success hinges on individual and team performances.

4. Fringe Contenders

Discussion Highlights:

• San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves: Discussed for their potential to edge into contention with the right improvements.

  • Andrew Schlecht [38:14]: "The Spurs, with young talents like Wemby, have a chance to move into fringe contention if their development continues."

  • Xena [56:28]: "The Timberwolves, led by Anthony Edwards, have shown potential but need consistency to be serious contenders."

Key Takeaway: The Spurs and Timberwolves possess the foundational elements to become fringe contenders, contingent upon player development and team cohesion moving forward.

5. Contenders

Discussion Highlights:

• Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder: Positioned as top contenders due to their star players and team dynamics.

  • G [70:07]: "Denver, with Nikola Jokić, remains a strong contender, especially with their enhanced depth."

  • F [81:37]: "The Thunder, driven by Anthony Edwards and internal development, are positioned as serious contenders."

Key Takeaway: The Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder are viewed as the leading contenders in the Western Conference, thanks to their star cores and strategic team improvements.

Player and Team Dynamics

Jonathan Kuminga Trade:

• New Orleans Pelicans and Atlanta Hawks: The recent trade involving Jonathan Kuminga is scrutinized for its impact on both teams.

  • Xena [05:04]: "The trade appears one-sided, with the Pelicans gaining at the expense of the Hawks."

  • Andrew Schlecht [05:59]: "The Hawks showed excessive caution, potentially missing out on maximizing the trade's benefits."

Anthony Edwards' Development:

• Minnesota Timberwolves: Edwards is highlighted as a pivotal player whose growth could elevate the team to contender status.

  • G [21:52]: "Edwards' leadership and on-court performance are critical for the Timberwolves' success."

  • Xena [65:17]: "Edwards reminds us of Michael Jordan in terms of drive and mentality, indicating his potential to lead the team to higher tiers."

Team Injuries and Their Impact:

• Memphis Grizzlies: Concerns over Jaren Jackson's turf toe injury and its ramifications for the team's performance.

  • Xena [37:25]: "Jackson's injury could significantly derail Memphis' season if not properly managed."

  • F [37:39]: "Memphis is at risk of a substantial drop-off if key players remain sidelined."

Insights and Predictions

• Emphasis on Team Health and Depth: The hosts consistently stress the importance of maintaining player health and having a robust bench to navigate the grueling NBA season.

  • Andrew Schlecht [52:28]: "Teams with aging cores, like the Warriors and Clippers, face challenges in sustaining performance due to potential injuries."

• Strategic Additions and Trades: The discussion underscores the necessity for teams to make strategic moves to bolster their rosters, emphasizing internal development over external acquisitions.

  • Andrew Schlecht [78:51]: "Denver focuses on internal development, which is a sustainable approach for long-term success."

• Comparisons to Historical Teams: Anthony Edwards is compared to legendary figures like Michael Jordan for his leadership and drive, indicating high expectations for his future impact.

Conclusions

The episode provides a comprehensive analysis of the Western Conference's landscape, highlighting the intricate balance between star power, team depth, player development, and strategic management. While certain teams like the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder emerge as frontrunners, others like the Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs show potential that hinges on overcoming current challenges. The discussion emphasizes that the upcoming NBA season will be heavily influenced by player health, internal team growth, and the ability to adapt to evolving team dynamics.

Notable Quotes:

• Andrew Schlecht [07:39]: "We have the tanking teams starting with the Jazz, who are expected to struggle significantly."

• Xena [05:11]: "If the Luka Doncic trade didn't happen, this is the trade that we're calling the dumbest trade of the last decade."

• G [21:52]: "Edwards' leadership and on-court performance are critical for the Timberwolves' success."

• Andrew Schlecht [38:14]: "The Spurs, with young talents like Wemby, have a chance to move into fringe contention if their development continues."

• Xena [65:17]: "Anthony Edwards reminds us of Michael Jordan in terms of drive and mentality, indicating his potential to lead the team to higher tiers."

Final Thoughts

Listeners who tune into this episode can expect a nuanced understanding of the Western Conference's dynamics, enriched by expert analysis and candid discussions among seasoned NBA reporters. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a casual observer, the insights provided offer valuable perspectives on what to anticipate in the forthcoming NBA season.