S³ NBA | THE WESTERN CONFERENCE BELONGS TO SAN ANTONIO AND OKLAHOMA CITY

The Western Conference has no shortage of talent, but entering the 2026–27 NBA season, three teams stand above the rest.

The San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Of those three, San Antonio and Oklahoma City have established themselves as the conference's premier championship contenders. Both organizations have elite talent, outstanding coaching, youth and the chemistry necessary to compete for an NBA championship.

Minnesota has the personnel to challenge them, but the Timberwolves have more to prove.

As for everyone else?

Welcome to the battle for fourth through eighth place.

That's how Sweet Science Sports sees the Western Conference entering the new season.

SAN ANTONIO SPURS: THE TEAM EVERYONE IS CHASING

The defending Western Conference champions have already demonstrated their ability to navigate the NBA playoffs and reach the Finals.

Victor Wembanyama is the centerpiece of San Antonio's championship aspirations, but the Spurs are much more than a one-man operation.

What separated San Antonio during last season's postseason was its defensive ability, particularly on the perimeter.

The Spurs demonstrated against Oklahoma City that they could disrupt one of the NBA's most dangerous offensive teams.

With De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, San Antonio possesses a talented collection of perimeter players capable of contributing offensively while providing defensive versatility.

When evaluating both ends of the floor, San Antonio has a legitimate argument for possessing the perimeter advantage over Oklahoma City.

And the Spurs weren't satisfied with simply returning the same roster.

San Antonio's 2026 Draft: Reinforcing a Championship Contender

San Antonio added four intriguing prospects:

• Jayden Quaintance: An athletic, defensive-minded big man with considerable upside.
• Tarris Reed Jr.: A physical interior presence capable of rebounding, defending and providing toughness.
• Ja'Kobi Gillespie: Another ballhandler who can create offense and provide backcourt depth.
• Maliq Brown: A versatile defensive forward who could strengthen San Antonio's two-way identity.

Quaintance's injury recovery may delay his immediate contribution, but the long-term potential is significant.

The Spurs added two talented big men, another ballhandler and a versatile defensive player.

That's an impressive collection of complementary talent for a team that just reached the NBA Finals.

San Antonio's biggest challenge isn't acquiring another superstar. It's developing the young talent already surrounding Wembanyama.

Castle and Harper must continue improving offensively, particularly with their decision-making and consistency.

If that happens, the Spurs could be even more dangerous than they were last season.

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER: ADAY MARA COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING

The Thunder have unfinished business.

Oklahoma City possesses one of basketball's strongest foundations, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren.

But the Thunder's championship aspirations depend heavily on Williams staying healthy after returning to preseason action and their young frontcourt continuing to develop.

That's where rookie center Aday Mara enters the picture.

The 7-foot-2 big man has been one of the most intriguing early preseason performers.

Against Milwaukee, Mara produced 22 points on a perfect 10-for-10 shooting performance, adding six rebounds and two assists in approximately 25 minutes.

Combined with his previous preseason performance against New Orleans, Mara has scored 34 points without missing a field-goal attempt.

Those numbers are impressive, but they don't tell the entire story.

Mara's Footwork and Mobility Separate Him From Traditional Centers

Mara possesses an educated low-post game, demonstrating balance, positioning and economical movements around the basket.

He also moves remarkably well for a player his size.

His ability to run the floor in transition is particularly encouraging for Oklahoma City, which relies on pace, ball movement and offensive versatility.

Mara isn't the extraordinary athlete Wembanyama is, but he doesn't need to be.

His traditional post fundamentals, mobility and interior scoring could provide Oklahoma City with an additional offensive weapon.

The Thunder don't need Mara to become Wembanyama. They need Mara to make Wembanyama work.

If Mara can consistently establish position, score efficiently and defend without becoming a liability, Oklahoma City will have another legitimate option against San Antonio's frontcourt.

Nevertheless, preseason success must eventually translate into meaningful regular-season and playoff production.

And Mara's development cannot overshadow the importance of Jalen Williams.

Williams is essential to Oklahoma City's offensive balance. His ability to create shots, score and relieve pressure on Gilgeous-Alexander is something the Thunder cannot easily replace.

A healthy Williams and a productive Mara could significantly strengthen Oklahoma City's chances of reclaiming the Western Conference crown.

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES: THE DANGEROUS THIRD CONTENDER

Don't overlook Minnesota.

The Timberwolves have something every championship contender needs: an elite perimeter player capable of taking over basketball games.

Anthony Edwards is the foundation of Minnesota's championship aspirations.

His scoring ability, athleticism and offensive explosiveness give Minnesota a player capable of challenging virtually any defense.

But Minnesota's appeal extends beyond Edwards.

The Timberwolves possess youthful, skilled frontcourt talent capable of contributing offensively and defensively.

Their combination of perimeter play, interior athleticism and positional versatility makes them a dangerous matchup.

Minnesota has enough talent to challenge San Antonio and Oklahoma City.

The question is whether its supporting cast can deliver consistently throughout an extended postseason run.

The Timberwolves don't need to be better than the Spurs or Thunder over 82 games. They need to be better over seven games.

That's an entirely different challenge.

And with Edwards leading the way, Minnesota has a legitimate opportunity to disrupt what appears to be a two-team race.

DENVER, HOUSTON AND EVERYONE ELSE: THE SECOND TIER

The rest of the Western Conference faces a difficult challenge.

Denver still has Nikola Jokić, one of basketball's greatest offensive players. His passing, scoring and ability to control a game make the Nuggets dangerous against any opponent.

But Denver hasn't demonstrated enough improvement to convince Sweet Science Sports that it has closed the gap on San Antonio and Oklahoma City.

Houston has considerable talent, size and athleticism, but must prove it can consistently perform at the level required to win the Western Conference.

The Lakers, Trail Blazers, Warriors and other playoff hopefuls face their own questions involving roster balance, consistency, development or defensive execution.

That doesn't mean one of these teams cannot surprise people.

It means they enter the season chasing the standard established by San Antonio and Oklahoma City.

S³ WESTERN CONFERENCE PRESEASON OUTLOOK

These are S³ preseason projections, not official standings.

THE S³ VERDICT: A RIVALRY THAT COULD DEFINE THE WEST

The San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder aren't simply two talented basketball teams.

They're two organizations building around young superstars, outstanding coaching and long-term championship aspirations.

San Antonio has Wembanyama, exceptional defensive potential and a supporting cast that should continue improving.

Oklahoma City has Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, Holmgren and a promising young center in Mara who could provide the interior offensive dimension the Thunder need.

And both organizations appear to be strengthening their rosters with an eye toward future postseason matchups.

Minnesota remains the dangerous challenger, capable of upsetting either team if Edwards and the Timberwolves' supporting cast perform at their highest level.

But entering the 2026–27 season, Sweet Science Sports sees the Western Conference as a race between San Antonio and Oklahoma City.

The Spurs are trying to defend their Western Conference crown. The Thunder are trying to take it back. Minnesota is trying to crash the party.

Everyone else has to prove they belong in the conversation.

S³ | SWEET SCIENCE SPORTS

Where the Game Meets the Science.