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6. Oklahoma City Thunder
2017/18 record - 48 Wins, 34 Losses
OKC did what they set out to do with ease this offseason, resigning Paul George on the first day of free agency, and also finding an avenue to offload Carmelo Anthony and his horrible contract.
When fit, OKC look to be one of the few challenges to the Golden State dynasty this season, the only problem is they have already been struck down by the injury curse before the season has gotten underway.
Westbrook underwent a minor knee surgery which has kept him out of all preseason matches and it is yet to be known if he will be fit come opening night. The big loss though lies with Andre Roberson, who has been hit with another injury setback that will see him miss months of the season.
With Roberson at the two guard position, last season OKC had one of the best defences in the league, without him they were barely average.
While OKC are most likely one of the locks for a Western Conference playoff position, if their two guards did not suffer injuries, and the foreseeable slow start this will give them, they most likely would be a lot higher on this list.
5. Utah Jazz
2017/18 record - 48 Wins, 34 Losses
The Utah Jazz surprised almost everybody as they secured the fifth seed in the West last season and then overcame the star-studded OKC in the first round of the playoffs beating them in a thrilling six-game series.
The key to Utah's success lies on two aspects, an incredibly mentally tough defence, led by current Defensive Player of the Year winner Rudy Gobert, and an offence fuelled by the dynamic Donovan Mitchell, who was without a doubt the steal of the 2017 NBA Draft as the 13th pick of the first round.
With Mitchell hopefully continuing his speedy progression as he continues to adapt and improve on the court, Utah should see their franchise in the playoff picture for many seasons to come.
