The Warriors have thrown out the welcome mat, and they will welcome all challengers. Can the Clippers get lucky with injuries, and will the Spurs be there again? They're the key questions in the NBA West, but the battle for the final playoff spots always goes down to the wire -- and it should be just a tense this season.
Dallas Mavericks
Plenty of experience on this Mavericks roster, but they saw a lot of talent walk out the door during the off-season. Can they make another playoff push? Can Dirk Nowtzki continue to fight off Father Time?
Roster
Lost: Raymond Felton, David Lee, Zaza Pachulia, Chandler Parson, Jeremy Evans, Javale McGee
Added: Andrew Bogut, Harrison Barnes, Quincy Acy, Seth Curry, A.J Hammons
Star: Dirk Nowitzki. Still their No. 1 offensive weapon.
Breakout: Seth Curry. Will step out of his brother's shadow and prove he belongs.
Last Season: Secured 6th then pushed aside by OKC; 42-40.
Projection: Can Dirk take the Mavs into another playoff run? 41-41 (9th)
Denver Nuggets
Denver have an odd-looking roster that could either do very well or combust completely. They have depth, which is always a good thing to have, but they'll be active around trade time.
Roster
Lost: D.J Augustin, Joffrey Lauvergne
Added: Jamal Murray, Juan Hernangomez, Malik Beasley, Petr Cornelie
Star: Emmanuel Mudiay. Still young but will lead this team back to glory days.
Breakout: Will Barton. Should be in the running for 6th man of the year.
Last Season: Surprise packet that pushed for 11th; 33-49.
Projection: Plenty of talent but still need time; 36-46 (12th)
Golden State Warriors
Still hurting from the end of last season, but went out and replaced Andrew Bogut and Harrison Barnes with Kevin Durant and Zaza Pachulia. Not sure how any team can match up with them at either end of the floor, and watch for the small ball lineup.
Roster
Lost: Andrew Bogut, Harrison Barnes, Festus Ezeli, Brandon Rush, Marreese Speights, Leandro Barbosa
Added: Damian Jones, Patrick McCaw, Kevin Durant, Zaza Pachulia, David West
Star: Steph Curry. The best shooter in the game gets more firepower around him.
Breakout: Patrick McCaw. Only a rookie but should get plenty of fourth-quarter minutes.
Last Season: Runners up; 73-9 record.
Projection: They look formidable and nigh unstoppable; 67-15 (1st)
Houston Rockets
Was it Dwight Howard's fault that they couldn't get anything going? Is James Harden too selfish? Plenty of questions were raised last season, but Harden will showcase why he is a legitimate MVP chance as he leads the Rockets into the playoffs.
Roster
Lost: Dwight Howard, Terrence Jones, Jason Terry, Michael Beasley, Andrew Goudelock
Added: Chinanu Onuaku, Zhou Qi, Ryan Anderson, Eric Gordon, Nene, Pablo Prigioni, Tyler Ennis
Star: James Harden. Will claim his first MVP.
Breakout: Eric Gordon. Injury plagued for so long, but will play a full season and show how good he is.
Last Season: Snuck in to the playoffs only to be pushed aside by GSW; 41-41..
Projection: New pieces will fit in nicely around Harden; 44-38 (7th).
LA Clippers
The Clippers have a phenomenal roster and they can push the Warriors so long as they can stay healthy. If things aren't smooth sailing from the outset, moves could be on the cards with a star potentially being shopped around.
Roster
Lost: Jeff Green, C.J Wilcox, Branden Dawson, Jeff Ayres, Pablo Prigioni, Cole Aldrich
Added: Brice Johnson, David Michineau, Diamond Stone, Alan Anderson, Brandon Bass, Raymond Felton, Xavier Munford, Marreese Speights, Dorell Wright
Star: Blake Griffin. When healthy he's an MVP threat; can he stay healthy?
Breakout: Austin Rivers. Signed a big contract and will prove worthy.
Last Season: Disappointing end going out in the first round; 53-29.
Projection: It's now or never for this squad; 59-23 (2nd)
Los Angeles Lakers
Lakers fans are excited for the season ahead, which says a lot. There's not going to be the glory days of years gone by, but there is plenty of promise. Give the kids time to find their feet, and they'll get the ball rolling.
Roster
Lost: Kobe Bryant, Brandon Bass, Robert Sacre, Roy Hibbert, Ryan Kelly
Added: Brandon Ingram, Ivica Zubac, Luol Deng, Timofey Mozgov, Thomas Robinson, Yi Jianlian, Jose Calderon
Star: D'Angelo Russell. Embroiled in controversy last season, but will become the leader this season.
Breakout: Brandon Ingram. The next KD?
Last Season: One of the worst in Lakers history; 17-65.
Projection: Lakers fans will talk about the future all season long; 25-57
Memphis Grizzlies
Cruelled by injuries last season, but still snuck into the playoffs, Marc Gasol is back, and he will prove once again that he is a top 10 big man on both ends of the floor. Mike Conley has something to prove after signing his new massive contract; can he live up to it?
Roster
Lost: Chris Andersen, Matt Barnes, Jordan Farmer, Xavier Munford, Lance Stephenson, Bryce Cotton
Added: Wade Baldwin IV, Deyonta Davis, Rade Zagorac, Wang Zhelin, James Ennis, Chandler Parsons, Troy Daniels
Star: Marc Gasol. Makes the offence flow, and they'll struggle without him.
Breakout: Chandler Parsons. Needs to make a big impact in Memphis.
Last Season: Fell into the playoffs and swept aside by Spurs; 42-40.
Projection: Won't get hit by the injury curse this time; 47-35 (5th)
Minnesota Timberwolves
Every single person has the Wolves on their must-watch list this season, as they're incredibly young and loaded with talent. Won't necessarily translate to wins, but they'll be competitive right down to the final buzzer.
Roster
Lost: Kevin Garnett, Damjan Rudez, Greg Smith
Added: Kris Dunn, Cole Aldrich, Jordan Hill, Brandon Rush, Rasual Butler
Star: Karl Anthony-Towns. In for a big, big season.
Breakout: Zach LaVine. No longer just a dunk champion.
Last Season: So much talent, but still finding their way; 29-53.
Projection: You have to watch this team; 38-44 (11th)
New Orleans Pelicans
Anthony Davis will be hoping to play more than 70 games for the first time in his career; if he can do that, the Pelicans can challenge. Should be active around the trade period as they're still a few pieces short from competing.
Roster
Lost: Ryan Anderson, Eric Gordon, James Ennis, Luke Babbitt, Jordan Hamilton, Toney Douglas
Added: Buddy Hield, Lance Stephenson, Cheick Diallo, Chris Copeland, Langston Galloway, Solomon Hill, Terrence Jones, E'Twaun Moore, Robert Sacre
Star: Anthony Davis. Can do it all and will show the world just how dominant he can be.
Breakout: Buddy Hield. Offensive weapon and will get plenty of freedom with Davis.
Last Season: Nothing seemed to go their way; 30-52.
Projection: Still a piece or two away from the big time; 39-43 (10th)
Oklahoma City Thunder
Kevin Durant walked out, and the city of Oklahoma crumbled. Russell Westbrook needs to rebuild the faith and show he can lead this team to the glory without Durant. Westbrook is angry; you won't like him when he's angry.
Roster
Lost: Kevin Durant, Dion Waiters, Serge Ibaka, Randy Foye
Added: Ersan Ilyasova, Victor Oladipo, Joffery Lauvergne, Ronnie Price, Domantas Sabonis, Daniel Hamilton
Star: Russell Westbrook. He's on a warpath, and you best not get in his way.
Breakout: Domantas Sabonis. If he possess one fifth of his dad's skills, look out.
Last Season: Lost Western Conference Finals; 55-27.
Projection: Big losses, tough to overcome. Can they surprise? 45-37 (6th)
Phoenix Suns
Great pickups in the draft and so much young talent on this roster. Give them time and they'll flouris, but they have to endure the dark times for this season. Still one you should have on the radar as a must-watch team.
Roster
Lost: Chase Budinger, Jon Leuer, Ronnie Price, Mirza Teletovic
Added: Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss, Tyler Ulis, Leandro Barbosa, Jared Dudley
Star: Devin Booker. Just 19-years-old but already one of the better shooters in the league.
Breakout: Dragan Bender. Special talent.
Last Season: Young team learning the ropes; 23-59.
Projection: Loads of fun to watch; 27-55 (13th)
Portland Trail Blazers
Spent a lot of money in the off-season in the hope of bringing in more talent to push for a deeper playoff run. Log jam at the small forward position and plenty of bigs who pack the paint. Can Lillard and McCollum prove they're the best backcourt in the league?
Roster
Lost: Gerald Henderson, Brian Roberts, Cliff Alexander
Added: Evan Turner, Festus Ezeli, Jake Layman, Shabazz Napier
Star: Damian Lillard. Explosive scoring threat. Can he lead them deeper into the playoffs?
Breakout: Meyers Leonard. Will find consistency over the entire season.
Last Season: Bundled out the Clippers and then stole one from GSW; 44-38.
Projection: Small step back for the Blazers; 42-40
Sacramento Kings
It's going to be a long hard slog for the Kings this season, DeMarcus Cousins is one of the best big men in the game, but that won't be enough to get them off the bottom of the West. If things are truly bad, he could force his way out.
Roster
Lost: Quincy Acy, Seth Curry, Rajon Rondo, Marco Belinelli, James Anderson, Caron Butler, Duje Dukan, Eric Moreland
Added: Georgios Papagiannis, Malachi Richardson, Skal Labissiere, Isaiah Cousins, Arron Afflalo, Matt Barnes, Jordan Farmer, Ty Lawson, Garrett Temple, Anthony Tolliver, Lamar Patterson
Last Season: Despite turmoil, still finished 10th; 33-49.
Projection: Won't be pretty; 22-60
Star: DeMarcus Cousins. Truly dominant force; unlike anyone else in the league.
Breakout: Ben McLemore. Offensive firepower will see him have huge games.
San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio enter a new era having said goodbye to Tim Duncan; can they maintain their incredible run without him? Kawhi Leonard will continue his march up the ladder of best player in the league while stopping everything defensively.
Roster
Lost: Tim Duncan, Boris Diaw, David West, Boban Marjanovic
Added: Pau Gasol, David Lee, Dewayne Dedmon, Dejounte Murray
Star: Kawhi Leonard. Not just a lock-down defender, and he'll average 20+ points.
Breakout: Patty Mills. Off the back of his Olympic efforts in Rio, he'll look to take the starting role from Tony Parker.
Last Season: Couldn't match it with OKC in the playoffs; 67-15.
Projection: Loss of superstars won't affect their playoff push; 58-24 (3rd)
Utah Jazz
Utah are going to rattle some cages this season; they've got a list full of talent, and they're hungry to make an impact after just missing the playoffs last season. Signed plenty of experience in the off-season to help mentor and teach.
Roster
Lost: Trevor Booker, Tibor Pleiss
Added: Joel Bolomboy, Marcus Paige, Tyrone Wallace, Joe Johnson, Boris Diaw, George Hill, Henry Sims
Star: Derrick Favors. Incredible offensive skillset and should be the go-to for them.
Breakout: Dante Exum. Hungry to get back out there, and his versatility will go a long way.
Last Season: Just missed playoffs; 40-42.
Projection: Young and ready to run, the Jazz are ready; 49-33 (4th)
Projected West Standings
1. Golden State Warriors
2. Los Angeles Clippers
3. San Antonio Spurs
4. Utah Jazz
5. Memphis Grizzlies
6. Oklahoma City Thunder
7. Houston Rockets
8. Portland Trailblazers
9. Dallas Mavericks
10. New Orleans Pelicans
11. Minnesota Timberwolves
12. Denver Nuggets
13. Phoenix Suns
14. Los Angeles Lakers
15. Sacramento Kings