NBA Western Teams Draw Grades From A to D- in 2026 Off-Season Review
Updated
Updated · Sportsnet.ca · Aug 10
NBA Western Teams Draw Grades From A to D- in 2026 Off-Season Review
3 articles · Updated · Sportsnet.ca · Aug 10
Summary
A 15-team Western Conference off-season review pegged Utah and San Antonio among the biggest winners, while New Orleans, Sacramento and Denver landed near the bottom.
Utah earned an A after turning Walker Kessler into 2 unprotected firsts and 2 swaps, while San Antonio got a B for adding Tobias Harris and extending Victor Wembanyama on a five-year, $252 million max.
Memphis also scored well at A-, pivoting from Ja Morant by adding Jerami Grant, Isaiah Stewart and No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer, while the Clippers drew a B+ with a reported Kawhi Leonard trade still unresolved.
Denver's D+ and Golden State's C- reflected criticism that neither did enough around Nikola Jokic or Stephen Curry, both facing pressure with free agency looming next summer.
The broader takeaway was that Western summers were defined more by subtractions than splashy additions, with most major roster moves now appearing set before the 2026-27 season.