NBA Swing: Western Conference New Year's Resolutions for 2026

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As the calendar turns to 2026, the NBA season has reached the 40% mark. While the Eastern Conference is a battle of consistency, the West has become a landscape of dramatic extremes—from the record-breaking dominance of Oklahoma City to the superstar-laden struggles in Los Angeles and Dallas.

Here is what every Western Conference team must resolve to do as they head toward the trade deadline.

Dallas Mavericks: Commit to the Cooper Flagg Era

At 12–22, the Mavericks’ season has been disappointing, but the arrival of Cooper Flagg has provided a generational silver lining. With rumors swirling that big man Anthony Davis is on the trade block, Dallas must pivot. Flagg is 19 and the clear future; Kyrie Irving is turning 34 in March and returning from an ACL tear. The resolution: Trade veteran stars for assets that fit Flagg’s timeline and build a sustainable contender from the ground up.

Denver Nuggets: Trust the Process (and the Health)

Denver remains a powerhouse, but the “injury bug” has been relentless. With Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, and Cameron Johnson sidelined, the latest blow was Nikola Jokic’s knee hyperextension in late December. With Jokic out until February, the Nuggets’ resolution is simple: Stand pat. Do not panic and trade depth to cover short-term losses. This is a championship-caliber core that needs to reach April in one piece.

Golden State Warriors: One Last Splash for Steph

Stephen Curry turns 38 in March. While the Jimmy Butler experiment has shown flashes of brilliance, the Warriors are one superstar away from truly contending. The resolution: Go all-in. Whether it means moving future draft capital or even franchise stalwarts like Draymond Green, the front office owes it to Curry to maximize his remaining prime before the window shuts for good.

Houston Rockets: Acquire a Floor General

The Rockets are the surprise of the West at 20–10, but they are playing on borrowed time without a traditional point guard following Fred VanVleet’s ACL tear. Reed Sheppard has been a revelation in his sophomore year, but Houston needs a veteran floor general (think Coby White or Chris Paul) to stabilize the offense for a deep playoff run.

Los Angeles Clippers: Avoid the Thunder Trap

At 11–21, the Clippers are in a dangerous spot. Because the Oklahoma City Thunder own their 2026 first-round pick, “tanking” for a top-five talent like Cooper Flagg or Derik Queen only benefits their division rival. The resolution: Fight for the Play-In. The Clippers must do everything in their power to push that pick into the late lottery to avoid gifting the defending champs another superstar prospect.

Los Angeles Lakers: Fix the Defensive Leaks

The Lakers possess a top-10 offense, but their defense is a sieve, ranking near the bottom of the league with a 117.8 defensive rating. With Luka Doncic and an aging LeBron James struggling to contain the perimeter, and DeAndre Ayton inconsistent at the rim, the Lakers must prioritize a stopper. Trading for a defensive specialist like New Orleans’ Herb Jones is the only way to save their championship aspirations.

Memphis Grizzlies: Finalize the Ja Morant Departure

The relationship between the Grizzlies and Ja Morant has reached its logical conclusion. Between off-court distractions and a lack of on-court cohesion, Morant has become a “high-risk” asset. Memphis has looked more disciplined in his absence; it’s time to find a trade partner (possibly Miami or Minnesota) and officially transition the franchise into the Jaren Jackson Jr. and GG Jackson II era.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Solve the Point Guard Puzzle

Minnesota has the defensive teeth to win it all, but they lack a playmaker to unlock Anthony Edwards. Mike Conley is nearing retirement, and the current backup rotation hasn’t stuck. If the Wolves are serious about a ring, they should consider packaging a veteran like Rudy Gobert or young assets to land a high-tier playmaker like Trae Young or James Harden.

New Orleans Pelicans: Pivot Away from Zion

After seven seasons and only 233 games played, the Zion Williamson experiment has run its course. With rookies Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen showing promise, New Orleans needs to recoup the draft capital they lost in previous trades. Trading Zion for a 2026 first-round pick is a difficult but necessary “reset” for a team currently sitting at 8–27.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Stay the Course

The Thunder (28–5) are making a run at history. They lead the NBA in defensive rating (104.5) and possess the best net rating in league history, outscoring teams by 14.4 points per game. Their resolution is the easiest in sports: Don’t touch a thing. Just keep your young stars healthy and wait for June.

Phoenix Suns: Secure the Defensive Glass

The Suns are a nightmare to guard, but they are the second-worst rebounding team in the NBA, allowing 15.2 second-chance points per game. Mark Williams is their only consistent rebounder (5.0 D-REB). If Phoenix wants to avoid being bullied in the playoffs, they must acquire a high-motor “glass eater” to finish defensive possessions.

Portland Trail Blazers: Value the Basketball

Portland plays with elite pace, but they lead the league in turnovers (17+ per game), resulting in an NBA-high 22.0 points allowed off giveaways. Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe have been turnover-prone in high-leverage moments. Their resolution: Slow down the transition game just enough to maintain possession and protect their Play-In spot.

Sacramento Kings: Initiate the Fire Sale

At 8–25, the Kings’ current roster has hit a ceiling. Aside from Keegan Murray and Nique Clifford, everyone should be on the move. Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan still hold significant value for contenders. Sacramento needs to liquidate these veterans now to jumpstart a rebuild around their young “untouchables.”

San Antonio Spurs: Prioritize Wembanyama’s Longevity

The Spurs are a staggering 9–3 without Victor Wembanyama, which gives them a unique luxury. After Wemby’s knee hyperextension on New Year’s Eve, the resolution is clear: Ignore the awards. Do not rush him back to qualify for MVP or All-NBA honors. San Antonio’s only goal is to have a 100% healthy Wembanyama ready for a potential playoff upset.

Utah Jazz: Sell High on Lauri Markkanen

Lauri Markkanen is 28 and currently playing on a massive contract that doesn’t align with Utah’s youth movement. With a treasure trove of assets already in the bank from the Mitchell/Gobert trades, Utah should trade Markkanen to a contender this February to maximize their haul and fully lean into the 2026 and 2027 drafts.