Oct. 8, 2026

2026-27 NBA Western Conference Preview: Sorting the West from Lottery to Elite w/ Paul Garcia

2026-27 NBA Western Conference Preview: Sorting the West from Lottery to Elite w/ Paul Garcia
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The Western Conference is loaded with contenders, rising powers, and teams facing major questions — but who belongs where?

On this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, Cal “Game Face” Lee and Warren Shaw welcome special guest Paul Garcia of Small Market Bias to preview the 2026-27 NBA Western Conference and break down the teams poised to rise, fall, or surprise.

We sort the West into four tiers: Lottery Bound, Middle of the Pack, Contenders, and Elite.

  • Can the Oklahoma City Thunder maintain their place at the top?
  • Are the San Antonio Spurs ready to make another leap?
  • Can the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets challenge for the crown?
  • Which teams are toughest to figure out — the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, or Memphis Grizzlies?


From playoff expectations to rebuilding questions, we debate the identities, outlooks, and potential of all 15 Western Conference teams as the new NBA season approaches.From the Baseline: Which Western Conference team is most likely to finish in a different tier than we predicted?

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