**Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs enter the 2026-27 season as the clear frontrunners in the Western Conference, building on their dominant 2025-26 campaigns that featured the league’s best records and a seven-game Western Conference finals clash.** The Thunder’s depth and perimeter versatility, anchored by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, position them well for another deep playoff run, while the Spurs rely on Victor Wembanyama’s two-way dominance and supporting cast growth. Contenders such as the Los Angeles Lakers (with Luka Dončić), Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, and Minnesota Timberwolves bring star power and recent postseason experience, though injury management and regular-season consistency will shape first-round matchups. Preseason results and early injury reports will influence trader views on which squads are most likely to secure one of the eight Western Conference semifinal berths.