So who is rising and falling in the playoff race in the West?

[akirac73]

LOL @ Harrison Barnes getting a 4 year max. Good for Barnes, stupid for Mark Cuban. It's good to have money to throw away.

 

[Dr. Jones]

This is nuts.

If I wasn't short and old Id so go into pro bb.

 

[cowhide]

Assuming that Durant goes back to OKC

I see the West like this-

Tier 1 Contenders
1 Warriors
2 OKC
3 Spurs

Tier 2 - Pseudo contenders
4 Clippers

Tier 3 Likely playoff teams

5 Portland
6 Grizzles
7 Utah

Tier 4- not terrible but ...
Minnesota
Houston
New Orleans
Dallas
Denver

Tier 5 - Just bad teams

Sacramento
Phoenix
Lakers


I think people are underestimating how good Conley, Gasol and Parsons are when healthy. Though I worry about their coaching change.

I am assuming that Portland fills out the rest of their roster intelligently.

The Clippers still have 4 very good players. They probably need to trade someone to create some depth.

Clippers need to keep Crawford or their bench will suck. Besides Crawford actually kills the Jazz every time we play them so I hope he goes back East. SA is getting old and if Gino and Duncan retire then they will drop slightly.

If OKC loses Durant then I can see the Jazz and Blazers fighting out the division.