The 2025 NBA Western Conference is a gauntlet of talent, with juggernauts like the OKC Thunder and Denver Nuggets leading the pack, while teams like the Utah Jazz are in full tank mode. Below, we rank the teams by projected win totals, providing fantasy insights, projected starting lineups based on preseason trends and injuries, key fantasy targets, sleepers, and busts. The West's depth means durability is key, prioritize players who can stay on the court and capitalize on injuries for waiver-wire gems.

 

2025 NBA Eastern Conference Team Previews

Oklahoma City Thunder

Projected Win Total: 62.5-63.5

Projected Starters: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG), Luguentz Dort (SG), Jalen Williams (SF), Chet Holmgren (PF), Isaiah Hartenstein (C)

Bench Notes: Aaron Wiggins, AJ Mitchell, Nikola Topic.

SGA's MVP-level play (despite contact concerns) anchors a squad with 70-win potential. Chet Holmgren, now healthy, is a blocks/rebounds machine with offensive upside. Jalen Williams' early wrist injury opens bench minutes for Wiggins/Mitchell. Perfect role-player fits make this a fantasy goldmine, lean over on wins.

Fantasy Stud: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (top-5 overall).

Sleeper: Chet Holmgren (next-level potential).

Bust Risk: Jalen Williams (early absence).

Denver Nuggets

Projected Win Total: 53.5

Projected Starters: Jamal Murray (PG), Christian Braun (SG), Cameron Johnson (SF), Aaron Gordon (PF), Nikola Jokic (C)

Bench Notes: Jonas Valanciunas, Tim Hardaway, Bruce Brown.

Swapping Michael Porter for Cameron Johnson (defensive upgrade) and adding Valanciunas bolsters depth. Jokic is the league's top fantasy asset with triple-doubles galore. Murray, finally healthy, is a Round 3 steal for points/assists. Gordon's late-round efficiency shines. A sneaky 60-win team, over on wins.

Fantasy Stud: Nikola Jokic (MVP favorite).

Sleeper: Christian Braun (DFS gem for 25+ FP nights).

Bust Risk: Aaron Gordon (lingering leg issues).

Houston Rockets

Projected Win Total: 52.5-53.5 (under lean)

Projected Starters: Amen Thompson (PG), Reed Sheppard (SG), Jabari Smith. (SF), Kevin Durant (PF), Alperen Sengun (C)

Bench Notes: Steven Adams, Dorian Finney-Smith, Tari Eason, Cam Whitmore.

Fred VanVleet's season-ending injury pushes Thompson/Sheppard into PG roles, Sheppard's a bench scorer sleeper. Durant's efficiency makes him top-20. Sengun's double-doubles are reliable, but spacing issues limit upside. Double-big lineups stagger minutes. Without VanVleet, under feels safer.

Fantasy Stud: Kevin Durant (scoring/efficiency).

Sleeper: Reed Sheppard (bench buckets).

Bust Risk: Jabari Smith. (limited shooting role).

 

Los Angeles Clippers

Projected Win Total: 50.5

Projected Starters: James Harden (PG), Bradley Beal (SG), Kawhi Leonard (SF), John Collins (PF), Ivica Zubac (C)

Bench Notes: Brook Lopez, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Chris Paul.

Kawhi's preseason dominance signals top-15 potential if he plays 65 games. Harden's regular-season assists/points make him elite. Beal's awkward fit (not ball-dominant) risks bust status. Depth (Lopez/Zubac split) mitigates injuries. A deep, healthy squad could surprise, over on wins.

Fantasy Stud: Kawhi Leonard (all-around beast).

Sleeper: Ivica Zubac (rebounds/blocks).

Bust Risk: Bradley Beal (fit/injuries).

Minnesota Timberwolves

Projected Win Total: 49.5

Projected Starters: Mike Conley (PG), Anthony Edwards (SG), Jaden McDaniels (SF), Julius Randle (PF), Rudy Gobert (C)

Bench Notes: Naz Reid, Terrence Shannon Jr., Rob Dillingham, Donte DiVincenzo.

Edwards' post-game focus and steals/threes make him MVP-tier. Randle's rebounds/assists thrive post-lifestyle change. McDaniels' scoring bursts add value. Reid (6MOY) is a late-round must for 20s minutes. Spacing elevates everyone, over on wins.

Fantasy Stud: Anthony Edwards (triple-double threat).

Sleeper: Naz Reid (threes/rebounds off bench).

Bust Risk: Mike Conley (limited closing minutes).

Golden State Warriors

Projected Win Total: 47.5 (heavy under lean)

Projected Starters: Stephen Curry (PG), Jimmy Butler (SG), Jonathan Kuminga (SF), Draymond Green (PF), Al Horford (C)

Bench Notes: Brandon Podziemski, Buddy Hield, Moses Moody.

The NBA's oldest team leans on Curry (top-3 round pick for threes/scoring) but faces rest days. Butler's load management (30-35 games) makes him a Round 4 fade. Draymond's assists/steals/blocks are late-round gold. Kuminga's trade watch boosts upside. Horford skips back-to-backs. Under on wins for fantasy question marks.

Fantasy Stud: Stephen Curry (threes machine).

Sleeper: Brandon Podziemski (big games on rest nights).

Bust Risk: Jimmy Butler (injury/load management).

 

Los Angeles Lakers

Projected Win Total: 46.5

Projected Starters: Gabe Vincent (PG), Austin Reaves (SG), Rui Hachimura (SF), Luka Doncic (PF), Deandre Ayton (C)

Bench Notes: Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia (LeBron out with sciatica).

Luka's trade to LA is a fantasy dream, expect 30+ PPG. Reaves thrives as No. 2. Ayton's rebounds/blocks are mid-round value. LeBron's uncertain timetable opens minutes for Smart/LaRavia. Luka's star power pushes them over 46.5 if healthy.

Fantasy Stud: Luka Doncic (top-3 overall).

Sleeper: Austin Reaves (usage spike).

Bust Risk: LeBron James (injury uncertainty).

San Antonio Spurs

Projected Win Total: 45.5

Projected Starters: DeAaron Fox (PG), Devin Vassell (SG), Harrison Barnes (SF), Jeremy Sohan (PF), Victor Wembanyama (C)

Bench Notes: Kelly Olynyk, Luke Kornet, Dylan Harper (Fox starting hurt).

Wemby's triple-double/block potential could lead fantasy scoring. Fox's assists shine if healthy. The "French Vanilla" bench (Olynyk/Kornet) adds depth. Harper's a stud sleeper. A 50-win ceiling makes them an over bet.

Fantasy Stud: Victor Wembanyama (MVP dark horse).

Sleeper: Dylan Harper (bench impact).

Bust Risk: DeAaron Fox (injury prone).

Dallas Mavericks

Projected Win Total: 41.5

Projected Starters: Cooper Flag (PG), DAngelo Russell (SG), P.J. Washington (SF), Anthony Davis (PF), Dereck Lively (C)

Bench Notes: Daniel Gafford, Kyrie Irving (mid-season return).

The Luka-to-Lakers trade brought AD and the No. 1 pick (Cooper Flag). Flag's teenage stat-stuffing (14-6-6, blocks/steals) makes him a top-40 pick. AD smashes if he plays 70+ games but carries bust risk. Kyrie's return could push them over 41.5.

Fantasy Stud: Anthony Davis (top-10 if durable).

Sleeper: Cooper Flag (multi-cat monster).

Bust Risk: P.J. Washington (awkward SF fit).

 

Memphis Grizzlies

Projected Win Total: 40.5

Projected Starters: Ja Morant (PG), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG), Jalen Wells (SF), Jaren Jackson (PF), Zach Edey (C)

Bench Notes: Ty Jerome, Santi Aldama, Cedric Coward (Pippen out 8-12 weeks).

Ja's explosiveness drives fantasy value, but injuries loom, Jerome's a filler sleeper. JJJ's blocks dominate. Wells' preseason scoring makes him a late-round gem. Edey's absence pushes Aldama to small-ball C. Over 40.5 if healthy.

Fantasy Stud: Ja Morant (dynamic when playing).

Sleeper: Jalen Wells (scoring/defense upside).

Bust Risk: Scotty Pippen Jr. (injury delay).

New Orleans Pelicans

Projected Win Total: 30.5

Projected Starters: Jordan Poole (PG), Trey Murphy (SG), Herbert Jones (SF), Zion Williamson (PF), Yves Missi (C)

Bench Notes: Jose Alvarado, Sadiq Bey, Hawkins (Dejounte Murray back December?).

Defensive woes plague this squad, but Zion (if healthy) could reclaim MVP form. Murphy's 25 PPG potential shines. Poole's boom/bust nights fuel DFS. High totals (236.5 opener) mean overs. Under 30.5, but fun for fantasy.

Fantasy Stud: Trey Murphy (scoring upside).

Sleeper: Zion Williamson (if healthy).

Bust Risk: Jordan Poole (erratic plays).

Phoenix Suns

Projected Win Total: 30.5

Projected Starters: Devin Booker (PG), Jalen Green (SG), Royce ONeale (SF), Dylan Brooks (PF), Mark Williams (C)

Bench Notes: Grayson Allen, Nick Richards.

Point-Book and Green mean empty stats galore, Green's a fantasy steal with free reign. Booker scores but struggles as PG. Williams' health is key for boards. Under 30.5 with trades looming.

Fantasy Stud: Jalen Green (scoring freedom).

Sleeper: Devin Booker (if adapts).

Bust Risk: Dylan Brooks (trade bait).

 

Sacramento Kings

Projected Win Total: 30.5 (heavy under)

Projected Starters: Dennis Schroder (PG), Keon Ellis (SG), Zach LaVine (SF), DeMar DeRozan (PF), Domantas Sabonis (C)

Bench Notes: Russell Westbrook, Malik Monk, Doug McDermott (Keegan Murray out long-term).

A fit disaster with LaVine/DeRozan. Sabonis' triple-doubles are the only safe bet. Westbrook's toxicity and trade rumors sink this squad. Monk's bench scoring intrigues. Hard under on wins.

Fantasy Stud: Domantas Sabonis (rebounds/assists).

Sleeper: Malik Monk (bench scoring).

Bust Risk: Zach LaVine (losing player label).

Portland Trail Blazers

Projected Win Total: 25.5

Projected Starters: Drew Holiday (PG), Shaedon Sharpe (SG), Deni Avdija (SF), Toumani Camara (PF), Donovan Clingan (C)

Bench Notes: Yang Hansen, Robert Williams (Scoot Henderson out hamstring).

Scoot's injury delays his breakout. Sharpe's scoring is tempered by defensive woes. Avdija's multi-cat production shines. Hansen's flashy passing/blocks in 15-20 minutes intrigue. Under on wins, tank mode engaged.

Fantasy Stud: Deni Avdija (multi-cat stud).

Sleeper: Yang Hansen (DFS upside).

Bust Risk: Shaedon Sharpe (bench risk).

Utah Jazz

Projected Win Total: 18.5-19.5

Projected Starters: Isaiah Collier (PG), Keyonte George (SG), Taylor Hendricks (SF), Ace Bailey (PF), Walker Kessler (C)

Bench Notes: Kyle Filipowski, Lauri Markkanen (trade watch).

Tank city, expect multiple 15-game losing streaks. Bailey's preseason flashes make him a scoring sleeper. Collier's late-draft assists add value. Markkanen/Kessler trade rumors loom. Hard under on wins.

Fantasy Stud: Ace Bailey (scoring potential).

Sleeper: Isaiah Collier (assists upside).

Bust Risk: Lauri Markkanen (mid-season trade?).

 

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