Previewing the West: What contenders give Warriors biggest problems?

The Warriors made swift changes to their roster and to their mentality after a disappointing ending last season. Jordan Poole, out. Chris Paul, in. Teenage rookies replaced by rookies with more college seasoning. Steph Curry and coach Steve Kerr  brewing up the team chemistry that was lacking last year.

The championship window remains open, but hardly as wide as it once was and not for much longer. Curry is 35. Klay Thompson and Draymond Green will turn 34 in the spring. Paul is 38.

The Western Conference has at least 12 teams with legit playoff expectations. Which of those are the biggest obstacles to a fifth championship in the Curry-Klay-Dray dynasty?

Let’s break it down.

Sure-fire contenders

Denver Nuggets (53-29)

Nikola Jokic and the reigning NBA champions will have some championship fatigue but are still the betting favorites to win the West. The Nuggets were the No. 1 seed last season led by the scoring and passing of Jokic, the evolution of Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. as shooters and the dirty-work willingness of Archbishop Mitty alum Aaron Gordon. Curry and the Warriors have a history of success against the Nuggets, going at Jokic on defense, which could give them an edge.

Los Angeles Lakers (43-39)

Anthony Davis is the Warriors’ Achilles heel because his mere presence in the paint deters all scorers from getting to the rim. The Warriors thrive on 3-point shooting, but Davis’ length can render Golden State’s offense one-dimensional. Health is a concern for L.A; Davis is frequently sidelined with nagging issues and LeBron James turns 39 in December. But the team is deep with scorers and ball handlers such as Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell with size on the wings from Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt.

Phoenix Suns (45-37)

The Suns traded former first-overall pick Deandre Ayton and wound up with a Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. They’re top-heavy, short of depth, and weak on defense. Golden State will see Durant at Chase Center — for the first time in front of fans — on Opening Night.

Contenders with holes

Los Angeles Clippers (44-38) 

Kawhi Leonard and Paul George joined forces in 2019 with expectations of wreaking havoc on the West. Over four seasons, the two stars have been on the floor together for only 118 games. They reached the Western Conference finals in 2021 and could return if they stay healthy.

Sacramento Kings (48-34)

Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox are a breakout duo, but the Warriors exposed a major defensive shortcoming in the playoffs last spring by challenging Sabonis at the rim. But if second-year player Keegan Murray takes a step and offseason acquisitions such as Colby Jones can make an impact as a defender, the Kings could take the leap needed to be a scary contender again.

Sneaky contenders

Oklahoma City Thunder (40-42)

The Thunder might be operating on the downlow, but they are a young and deep team with the talent to make a deep playoff run. Point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a bonafide superstar flanked by emerging stars such as Santa Clara’s Jalen Williams and fellow first-rounder Josh Giddey. Potential Rookie of the Year candidate Chet Holmgren — back from an injury that sidelined him all of last season — has been sensational in the preseason,  positioning himself as a premier rim protector and offensive player. The Thunder has all the length and youth to pose serious problems for the Warriors.

Minnesota Timberwolves (42-40)

The Timberwolves snuck into the play-in last year with a ton of talent that didn’t mesh in time to make a serious run. But the talent is there.

Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert are learning to coexist in the front court while Anthony Edwards is expected to take a leap as the team’s second superstar next to Towns. Along with Jaden McDaniels, the Timberwolves have all the length on the wings that typically gives the smaller Warriors issues on offense.

Don’t forget about them

Memphis Grizzlies (51-31)

Ja Morant’s off-court drama, in tandem with general immaturity up and down the roster, threw a wrench into the Grizzlies’ stellar regular season last year. The Lakers eliminated them in the first round. Point guard Morant will suspended for the first 25 games of the year, clearing the way for veteran Marcus Smart to anchor a team that has been victimized by its own chaos. With Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane and Morant returning, the Grizzlies can be a problem again.

Dallas Mavericks (38-44)

The Mavericks were mediocre last year, but have one of the NBA’s best backcourts in Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. If Irving can play a full season without off-court distractions and the Mavericks piece together a more competent defense with bigs Dwight Powell, Richaun Holmes, and rookie Dereck Lively II, Dallas could be back as one of the West’s more formidable contenders.

Honorable mentions: New Orleans Pelicans with Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, Utah Jazz with All-Star Lauri Markkanen.