The Western Conference is loaded again, but is anybody actually catching Oklahoma City?

Shawn and Nate break down every team in the West by tiers, talk contenders, playoff teams, sleepers and teams we’re not buying heading into the 2026-27 NBA season.

We also get into the Spurs and Wemby, OKC’s chances of staying on top, which teams could make a leap and where we think everyone finishes.

Drop your Western Conference rankings in the comments and let us know where we got it wrong.

#NBA #Basketball #NBAPredictions #Thunder #Spurs #BallinOutPodcast

With so many moves over the offseason, Shawn ranks his biggest gambles teams made this offseason, including LeBron James to the 76ers, Paul George to the Celtics, and LaMelo Ball to the Timberwolves.

Shawn and Grant discuss LeBron James' move to the Philadelphia 76ers and why it's his best chance to win ring No. 5. The guys also go into the new-look Philly roster and what we should look out for next season.

Chapters:

0:00 - Initial reactions

2:35 - Why Philadelphia is LeBron's best chance to win No. 5?

8:59 - Can Embiid finally stay healthy?

11:46 - Defense in question?

13:29 - Will 2026-27 be LeBron's farewell tour?

After trading away former Finals MVP Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers, Nate and Shawn dive into whether or not the Celtics got much worse, and how the Sixers improved their roster.

The Ballin Out crew dives into the first days of the 2026 NBA offseason as free agency officially opened up, seeing some big names change places in addition to some big-name trades, including Jaylen Brown to the 76ers, Kawhi Leonard to the Raptors, and LeBron moving on from LA.

Chapters:

(0:47) - Kawhi back in Toronto

(6:34) - Jaylen Brown traded to 76ers

(13:32) - How do the Celtics/76ers look post the trade?

(17:23) - Walker Kessler is a Laker

(21:47) - How are the new-look Lakers post LeBron?

(24:24) - Notable free agency signings/moves

The Ballin' Out crew shares their thoughts on LeBron James' pending free agency and the possibility of him playing in Golden State alongside Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Steve Kerr.

Shawn, Nate, and Grant discuss the opening days of the NBA 2026 offseason, sharing their reactions to recent trades, including Giannis Antetokounmpo being traded to the Miami Heat, LaMelo Ball moving to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Ja Morant going to the Portland Trail Blazers. The crew also offers their thoughts on the latest rumors and developments surrounding free agency and trades for the offseason.

Chapters

(0:42) - Hornets making moves

(6:53) - Ja Morant headed to Portland, grading the Grizzlies

(12:29) - Miami FINALLY gets their superstar

(18:46) - Could Jaylen Brown be on the move?

(19:57) - Where will Kawhi Leonard play next year?

(24:42) - Rumor Mill: LeBron, AD to the Warriors? Jalen Duren's next move?

The Ballin Out crew give their reactions to the Ja Morant trade that sent him to the Portland Trailblazers, and how each team can benefit from the move going forward.