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The Southwest Division enters 2026-27 with two teams rebuilding around top draft picks, two franchises treading cautiously after disappointing campaigns, and one coming off an NBA Finals appearance with genuine championship ambitions.
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks were rejuvenated by Cooper Flagg, who performed up to the standards of a No. 1 overall pick and earned the 2025-26 Kia Rookie of the Year award. Injuries undermined any chance of a postseason push, though, and Dallas finished 26-56.
Offseason Moves
- Additions: F Santi Aldama, F Tarik Biberović, G Sergio de Larrea, F Morez Johnson, F Tobi Lawal, F Zaccharie Risacher, G Marcus Sasser
- Subtractions: F Marvin Bagley III, F Khris Middleton, G Ryan Nembhard, C Dwight Powell, G Klay Thompson, G Brandon Williams
2026-27 Season Outlook
Masai Ujiri, who built a championship team in Toronto, was brought in to lead the franchise, and his first major decision was hiring Dusty May, a college coach who won a national championship at Michigan. The logic is straightforward: May has experience developing young talent, and this roster is young.
Johnson follows his coach from Michigan, adding frontcourt depth alongside Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick from two drafts ago. The key variable is Kyrie Irving’s return from injury. If Flagg reaches All-Star level and Irving stays healthy, the Mavericks could surprise.
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets posted a 52-20 record in a competitive Western Conference, only to fall in the first round. Kevin Durant averaged 25 points, Amen Thompson came into his own, and Alperen Sengun delivered a breakout performance.
Offseason Moves
- Additions: G Bogdan Bogdanović, G Marcus Smart, G Bruce Thornton
- Subtractions: G JD Davison, F Dorian Finney-Smith, G Jeff Green, G Aaron Holiday, G Josh Okogie
2026-27 Season Outlook
Houston made no drastic roster changes, a sign of confidence in what was built. The Rockets should again contend for 50 wins and a top-five seed in the West, with several conditions attached.
Fred VanVleet’s return from a full season of rehab is critical. Smart was added as a veteran backup at point guard in case VanVleet needs time to find his footing. Durant, approaching 38, must continue defying the aging curve; he remains a scorer who draws double-teams and commands defensive attention. Bogdanović arrives as one of the league’s more efficient three-point shooters, addressing an outside shooting need directly. Sengun and Thompson must take another developmental step. With a functional blend of youth and veterans, Houston has the profile of a team capable of advancing past the first round.
Memphis Grizzlies
A midseason trade involving Jaren Jackson and recurring injuries to Ja Morant left the Memphis Grizzlies without direction. They finished 25-57 and missed the postseason.
Offseason Moves
- Additions: F Cameron Boozer, F Jerami Grant, G AJ Johnson, F Karim López, F Kris Murray, C Quinten Post, G D’Angelo Russell, G Richie Saunders, F Isaiah Stewart
- Subtractions: F Santi Aldama, G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, G Ja Morant
2026-27 Season Outlook
After prolonged speculation, Morant was dealt to the Trail Blazers. That trade ended an era and cleared the path for a new identity.
Boozer, one of the top prospects in college basketball, was selected with the 3rd pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and is the centerpiece of that new identity. He brings the makings of a franchise cornerstone. Surrounding him, the Grizzlies will deploy Zach Edey, Cedric Coward, and Grant, who arrived in the Morant trade, as they work to build a competitive unit from the ground up.
New Orleans Pelicans
Zion Williamson appeared in 62 games for the New Orleans Pelicans, a notable improvement in availability for the oft-injured former No. 1 pick. The production wasn’t enough to push the team into the playoffs; New Orleans finished 26-56.
Offseason Moves
- Additions: G Jaron Pierre Jr., G Trendon Watford
- Subtractions: F Kevon Looney
2026-27 Season Outlook
New Orleans was among the least active teams this offseason. The most significant change came on the coaching staff, with Jamahl Mosley taking over as head coach after his tenure in Orlando. His primary task mirrors his previous role: developing a young core, centered on Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears.
Any larger roster decisions around Dejounte Murray, Jordan Poole, and Trey Murphy appear destined for the trade deadline. Whether those players are part of the franchise’s future or transitional pieces is a question that won’t be answered before February at the earliest. For now, the Pelicans are counting on internal growth, with Williamson as a potential All-Star anchor.
San Antonio Spurs
Powered by a Victor Wembanyama MVP-finalist performance, the San Antonio Spurs went 62-20 and made the NBA Finals for the first time in years.
Offseason Moves
- Additions: F Maliq Brown, G Ja’Kobi Gillespie, F Tobias Harris, F Jayden Quaintance, C Tarris Reed Jr.
- Subtractions: C Bismack Biyombo, C Kelly Olynyk, C Mason Plumlee, F Lindy Waters III
2026-27 Season Outlook
San Antonio lost the Finals to the Knicks after squandering multiple leads in the series. That failure appears to have sharpened the team’s focus rather than deflated it. Wembanyama carries the hunger of a player who came close and wants to finish the job.
The Spurs added Reed and Quaintance, two big men from the draft, to the development pipeline, while Harris gives the rotation an experienced contributor. His midrange shooting fits the system and his background, a solid stint in Detroit where he rebuilt his standing in the league, positions him as a player motivated by the chance to compete for a title. San Antonio looks like the division’s standard-setter again heading into next season.
Read also: NBA Stars Primed to Return From Injury for the 2026-27 Season
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