NBA 2019-20 Western Conference: 5 underrated teams to watch this year

With the 2019-20 NBA season just around the corner, it is a good time to look at some teams to watch throughout the season looking for a post-season opportunity. There are several top teams that are likely to make it into the playoffs, such as the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets to name a few.

Before the season starts, however, we should look at some sides that have the potential based on their offseason moves (or lack of) to be dark horses in the race for the playoffs. In an earlier article, we discussed the top five underrated teams in the Eastern Conference. Now we will look at their top five counterparts from the Western Conference.

#5 Dallas Mavericks

Have we forgotten about the Dallas Mavericks in recent times? When we think about the Mavericks, retired power forward and all-time great Dirk Nowitzki comes to mind. Now that his career is done, who is up next to bring this team back? For starters, the Mavs picked up Luka Doncic in the 2018 NBA Draft who performed well in his rookie season, showing the skills that he can develop. Doncic's performance was good enough for him to earn the NBA Rookie of the Year title in 2019.

However, a second-year player isn't enough for the Mavericks to be considered underrated. That is why they pulled off a big trade at the end of January in 2019, trading for then-New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis. That trade sent multiple players to each team, but most say the Mavericks won that trade. With a healthy Porzingis, an up-and-coming Doncic and several great shooters such as Tim Hardaway Jr. and Seth Curry, the Mavs can certainly make some noise in the West.

#4 Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Yes, All-Stars Russell Westbrook and Paul George are no longer with the Oklahoma City Thunder after two blockbuster trades by the team but they still have talent on their roster. Not only did they receive draft picks with the trades, they got players as well. Most notably, they received point guard Chris Paul from the Westbrook trade and got up-and-coming point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and small forward Danila Gallinari with the trade for George.

With the starting five likely being Paul, Gilgeous-Alexander, Gallinari, center Steven Adams, and forward Andre Roberson, the Thunder should not be slept on. The organization retained head coach Billy Donovan, who has taken the team to the playoffs since he joined the team in 2015. While it will be a different scenario for him without two key star players on his team, he should be able to use what he has and push for another playoff run.

#3 New Orleans Pelicans

New Orleans Pelicans' Zion Williamson and Lonzo Ball.

The moment power forward Anthony Davis requested to be traded from the New Orleans Pelicans, it was clear that the time to rebuild for the organization had come. The question was whether they would rebuild immediately or slowly over multiple years? Well, we got our answer, after Davis was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and three first-round draft picks. Not only did the Pelicans get three players with great potential, they also received draft picks that could be used for future trades.

However, that trade wasn't enough for them, as they snapped up rookie Zion Williamson in the 2019 NBA Draft with the first overall pick, someone who had been considered as a first overall pick for months prior to the draft. They also signed veteran J.J. Reddick, who is a great addition to the team and will certainly serve as a mentor for their young players. Watch out for this young-core of players in the West.

#2 Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz didn't have any particularly big moves in the offseason, besides trading for point guard Mike Conley from the Memphis Grizzlies. Other than him, the Jazz retained their starting five players and will look to reach the playoffs again with a better point guard on their team. The Jazz took the fifth spot in the Western Conference last year before being knocked out in the first round against the Houston Rockets.

Donovan Mitchell has already proven what he can do for the team, alongside shooters Joe Ingles and Bojan Bogdanovic, who were the core of the offense last year. With Conley on their side now, the offense has a huge potential to be a big factor in why they reach the playoffs again, even with all-new competition around them in the West. As long as Conley can stay healthy as he did for the most part last season, the Jazz could be another team to watch.

#1 Denver Nuggets

Denver Nuggets' Jamal Murray, Gary Harris and Paul Mislap.

People always seem to forget about the Denver Nuggets existing in the NBA. They finished second in the Western Conference last year, trailing the Golden State Warriors by just three wins. The Nuggets did not make any big offseason moves and retained their core players. The young group of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Gary Harris, Will Barton, and veteran Paul Milsap are still guaranteed to be the starting five.

On top of that, the Nuggets get to finally see their rookie, Michael Porter Jr., play his first NBA career games after being drafted in 2018 with the 14th overall pick. That is likely to be the most exciting part for the Nuggets, as they will have yet another young player who should bring both an offensive and defensive mindset. Assuming he stays healthy, Porter Jr. could take Barton's place considering he was rumored in trade talks earlier.

Edited by A. Ayush Chatterjee