NBA 2019-20: 3 Reasons why OKC Thunder can make the playoffs next season

#2 The state of the Western Conference

LeBron James and the Lakers may be on top of the Western Conference. But who will join them?

In the past few years, the Western Conference has been a competitive conference. When compared to the Eastern Conference, the West is arguably a stronger conference. This year should be no exception.

Next season, the Western Conference will feature teams such as the LeBron James and Anthony Davis-led Lakers as well as the Kawhi Leonard and Paul George-led Clippers. The West also features the much improved Utah Jazz, the Rockets, and teams such as the Blazers, Nuggets, and Warriors. The Western Conference will be stacked this year, but the OKC Thunder have a chance to sneak into the playoffs. It all depends on the performance of certain Western Conference teams.

Oklahoma City will have their hands full with the Lakers, Clippers, Rockets, Utah, and the Warriors but after those teams, the Western Conference is open. The Thunder can compete with teams such as the Phoenix Suns, the Memphis Grizzlies, and the Sacramento Kings. There is also a chance they will be better than the Dallas Mavericks, the New Orleans Pelicans, and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The three teams that OKC needs to be really worried about are Portland, Denver, and San Antonio. If the Thunder can compete with these franchises, they have a good chance,

If the Thunder do make the playoffs, it will likely be with the seventh or eighth seed. If the Thunder choose to compete (rather than tanking), they have a shot at becoming one of these seeds. The first few seeds of the Western Conference will go to the Lakers, Clippers, Rockets, etc. but there is a slight chance that a lower seed goes to the Thunder.