Over the next several days, we’ll break down all 30 NBA teams by conference and division, examining roster construction, offseason priorities, draft positioning, and the biggest needs heading into the 2026 NBA Draft. In the first of this six-part series, we begin with the Pacific Division, featuring the Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, and Phoenix Suns. Each franchise enters the offseason facing very different questions, from title pursuits and aging cores to full rebuilds and roster resets.
Golden State Warriors
Needs: Depth, Frontcourt
Picks: 11, 54
Whether you agree with the approach or not, the Golden State Warriors are clearly all in on attempting to compete in the twilight of Steph Curry’s career. They’ve basically assembled one of the oldest veteran cores in the league at this point. Steph is 38, Jimmy Butler will be 37, Draymond Green will turn 37 late in the season, and Al Horford, assuming he sticks around another year, is 40. You have to imagine that the Warriors will be unwilling to blow it up until Curry’s career comes to a close, so don’t be surprised if they are extremely aggressive in trying to put talent around Curry, even if it’s risky. Because they know that a complete reset is likely coming once Curry retires, they are willing to take on large contracts like they did with Butler. They have been linked to LeBron James, but that’s based more on the fun idea of seeing two aging legends who enjoy playing with each other than on realistic possibilities. Unless James forces it to happen, I wouldn’t count on it. Similarly, getting Giannis Antetokounmpo would be a tall task with the assets Golden State currently possesses. Another name worth watching, depending on how the Clippers choose to handle their situation, is Kawhi Leonard. Golden State would almost certainly have interest in pairing another proven star alongside Curry if Leonard were to become available, though putting together a realistic package would be complicated.
However, Butler and Green are both on expiring contracts (as is Curry, but unless he asks for a trade, he’s not going anywhere), so there is a chance that a team would be willing to take them on as part of shedding a big contract or two. Otherwise, the Warriors are in a tough position where they don’t have a lot of moves left on the chessboard. They will need to decide if they want to bring back Kristaps Porzingis, who would give them the size they so desperately need, but he has been unable to stay on the court, and the Warriors already have issues with player availability. When two players (Curry and Butler) combine to take up over $119 million in salary cap room, it becomes next to impossible to build the depth needed to make it through an 82-game season.
They hit the jackpot with second-rounder Will Richard last season, but they need to find more pieces that can step in immediately. With the 11th pick, expect them to prioritize somebody they believe can play a significant role this season. This means they could be the rare lottery team that isn’t focused on youth. Instead of taking on a project like Nate Ament, they would likely look at somebody like Yaxel Lendeborg or somebody who can plug their hole in the middle like Hannes Steinbach or Morez Johnson. However, if the players they covet are off the board, don’t be surprised if Golden State entertains moving back. A team such as Charlotte, which owns picks No. 14 and No. 18, could make for an interesting trade partner if the Warriors feel they can still land immediate contributors while adding another asset. Golden State will be aggressive in pursuit of players that can help them in the short term, but their avenues to get those players will be extremely limited.
Los Angeles Clippers
Needs: A Kawhi resolution, Center, Re-sign B. Mathurin, Youth
Picks: 5, 36, 52
The Los Angeles Clippers are in an odd position at the moment. Last season they went 42-40, and despite the uncertainty surrounding Kawhi Leonard, the front office deserves a lot of credit for what was quietly a masterclass in asset management. Turning James Harden into Darius Garland and flipping Ivica Zubac into the fifth pick in the draft are the kinds of moves that can completely reshape a franchise’s outlook. Garland gives them a young high-level guard to build around, while landing a top-five pick despite limited draft flexibility is the type of opportunity the Clippers realistically had no business getting. At the same time, Leonard, who finished seventh in MVP voting and played in 65 games this season, is embroiled in a scandal regarding his contract and potential impermissible benefits and cap circumvention. We aren’t going to get into that here, but it does cast a cloud over the franchise as it awaits the outcome of that investigation. Leonard is in his mid-thirties and has battled injuries, so the clock is ticking. The Clippers appear to be threading the needle between remaining competitive and quietly preparing for the future, but coming off the season Leonard just had, this may also be their last opportunity to get strong value for him in a trade and potentially move out from under the cloud of the investigation.
Darius Garland, who came over from Cleveland in the Harden trade, is a young guard that, when healthy, can do a lot of good things on the court. If they can re-sign Bennedict Mathurin, their backcourt could be dangerous for years to come. The Clippers also deserve a lot of credit for the Zubac deal. Quite frankly, getting the fifth pick for a player many likely viewed as having mid-to-late first-round value at best was a major win for the organization. They have the fifth pick as well, and it’s a guarantee that some really good guards will be available at that spot, such as Keaton Wagler, Darius Acuff, Mikel Brown, Brayden Burries, and Kingston Flemings. Reports have surfaced that the Clippers may be leaning toward Keaton Wagler, though there is also the possibility that the selection could ultimately be made with another team in mind as part of a larger move. Mikel Brown is another very interesting option if his medicals (back) check out, as his long-term upside could make him difficult to pass on. While Zubac’s departure leaves a void in the frontcourt, it’s one the Clippers can afford to be patient with if they decide to embrace a youth movement.
They will also need to make a decision on John Collins. Collins played well for them last season for the most part. His raw numbers went down, but his efficiency improved and he played his role effectively, while also showing better outside shooting over the past three seasons. If the Clippers decide to keep Leonard, it makes sense to retain Collins as part of an effort to remain competitive. However, moving on from Leonard could mean letting Collins leave, either outright or through a sign-and-trade to add more assets. In that scenario, someone such as Nate Ament could become a target, potentially through a trade down into the 8–10 range if the Clippers feel comfortable moving back while adding value. This could absolutely be a transition year for the Clippers, and with the Thunder and Spurs showing no signs of taking a major step backward any time soon, it seems difficult to justify simply running it back after a 42-40 season and trading away two of the team’s three best players.
Los Angeles Lakers
Needs: (Direction depends on LeBron’s decision), athletic big with a motor
Picks: 25
The Los Angeles Lakers looked like they were really starting to figure out their lineups and how to play as the season went on. Luka Doncic was phenomenal, and Austin Reaves and LeBron James figured out how to play alongside him. But now, LeBron has a choice. Does he stay in LA where he’s comfortable, but is no longer the star attraction or the player with the most power, a role he’s completely unfamiliar with, or does he elect for one final change of scenery? Because the Lakers have a franchise cornerstone in place in Doncic, they will be okay either way, but LeBron’s decision will dictate their approach this offseason. They can offer LeBron the most money of any team in the league, so they are in the driver’s seat here. If they decide they want him back, they probably get him back. In that case, their best bet is to put players around the big three that fit LeBron’s style of play and allow him to be more of a creator who picks and chooses his spots. With LeBron in the fold, the team needs players who are skilled moving off the ball and cutting to the rim to capitalize on his vision and passing ability.
However, should LeBron opt to leave, it might be in LA’s favor to work out a sign-and-trade to get back some assets to provide depth and fill holes in the roster. In this instance, the Lakers would likely look to begin building their team in much the same way the 2023-24 Mavericks did, focusing on playing to Doncic’s strengths. Either way, one of the keys for this offseason should be finding an athletic big man with a motor. They managed to grab DeAndre Ayton last season, and that helped to some degree, but he’s not the type of big man the team really needs. Unfortunately, there isn’t an obvious answer to fill that need for them this offseason, so watch for the Lakers to try to take a swing for a short-term fix while they look to bolster their role players around the Doncic-Reaves combo moving forward.
Another thing to watch is how dedicated they are to building around Reaves. He’s playing the best basketball of his career, but the fit alongside Doncic isn’t perfect and he will be a free agent after next season, so this could be an opportunity to make a move. It’s unlikely, but it is possible. The Lakers have a history of holding on to players with value until they’ve lost that value (see: Talen Horton-Tucker, Kyle Kuzma), and losing Reaves for nothing or being forced to give him a giant contract could come back to haunt the team. In the draft, don’t be surprised to see the Lakers take a long look at players such as Joshua Jefferson, Koa Peat, or even Henri Veesaar. Jayden Quaintance could also be an interesting possibility if he were to slide. He would give the Lakers a physically imposing lob threat and interior presence to pair with Doncic, potentially thriving as a rim runner and vertical spacer in that type of offense. Another intriguing possibility could be a surprise selection such as Baba Miller at No. 25, as the Lakers could look to prioritize versatility and upside while surrounding Luka with players who complement his strengths.
Phoenix Suns
Needs: Re-sign Colin Gillespie and Mark Williams, playmaking, big man
Picks: 47
The Phoenix Suns outperformed expectations last season, but they will need a good offseason to ensure that remains the case next season as well. Collin Gillespie was a really pleasant surprise, and it will be important that they re-sign him. Devin Booker remains their top player, but he struggles to generate rim pressure when creating his own looks. If he can play more off the ball, he gets cleaner looks and becomes far more efficient. Jalen Green is also at his best when the offense is designed to get him quality opportunities rather than simply handing him the ball and asking him to manufacture buckets. Gillespie allowed the Suns to operate like that for large portions of the game, taking on the role of the straw that stirs the drink for the Suns’ best offensive weapons. Losing him would hurt Phoenix badly. Dillon Brooks and Grayson Allen also benefit from being able to catch and shoot more on offense. Even if the Suns retain Gillespie, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to invest in another true point guard who can split minutes with him so they always have someone in that role on the court.
They would also benefit from bringing back Mark Williams, and likely will as a restricted free agent. Phoenix made a large investment in Khaman Maluach, taking him 10th in the draft last year, but Maluach was practically invisible, appearing in 46 games while playing fewer than 10 minutes per game. We were very reluctant to jump on board with the Khaman Maluach hype a year ago, and while it’s still very early, it’s looking more and more like that may have been a giant reach. It’s also a reminder that teams can sometimes fall too in love with physical tools and upside. (Aday Mara could end up being this year’s version of an overhyped big man being selected too high based more on hype than actual value.) It’s a big hole in their roster, and if Maluach can’t figure it out, the Suns at least need warm bodies down low to help balance out their lineup. Oso Ighodaro can’t do it all by himself.
The Suns don’t have a lot of avenues for adding talent this season, but expect them to be active in looking to bring in a free agent or two on smaller deals to bolster their lineup as they look to capitalize on their 45-win season.
Sacramento Kings
Needs: Three-point shooting, a total reset
Picks: 7, 34, 45
Man, what is Sacramento doing? Just a few short years ago, the city was optimistic and all about lighting the beam every night. This season, though, they finished 22-60. Over the last two seasons, they have had to watch as their former point guards led their new teams to the Finals. First, Tyrese Haliburton led Indiana there, and this year De’Aaron Fox got there with the Spurs. Meanwhile, the Kings keep collecting past-their-prime players in hopes of staying relevant, and it’s going about as well as one would expect. Trotting DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Russell Westbrook out there isn’t going to cut it in 2026. Those are all players whose athleticism set them apart for most of their careers. As they are getting older, they no longer have those same advantages. Add to that Domantas Sabonis, who puts up big numbers but needs a very specific type of team around him, and the Kings are a clumsily constructed roster with no long-term plan.
And let’s not forget that New York Knicks championship-winning head coach Mike Brown was let go roughly a year and a half ago, at least in part to appease star guard De’Aaron Fox, only for Fox to be traded shortly after. It’s hard to look at the sequence of moves Sacramento has made over the last few years and come away feeling like there is any coherent long-term vision in place. At this point, it’s fair to question whether the organization has any real idea what it’s doing.
Maybe because of the roster, or maybe because of coach Doug Christie’s approach, the Kings were 30th in three-point attempts and 29th in three-point percentage. It’s going to be hard to compete in the modern NBA if you can’t consistently make shots from range, so the number one priority this offseason should be to find better shooters and then utilize them. The Kings are not going to fix this roster in a single offseason, and probably not two, so now is the time to tear it down completely and look for a total reset. I would argue that there isn’t a single player on the roster worth building around. That’s not to say some of them can’t play roles, but there are no solid building blocks. The team doesn’t do anything particularly well as currently constructed, so finding pieces that can fill even niche roles can help improve the roster.
