The Oklahoma City Thunder are sitting exactly where they want to be-at the top of the Western Conference with a commanding 35-8 record. They’ve been the class of the conference all season long, and even with a few recent hiccups, they still look every bit like a team built for a deep playoff run. Their mix of star power, young legs, and elite depth has them positioned as the title favorites heading into the second half of the season.
But right behind them, lurking with quiet confidence, are the Denver Nuggets. At 29-13, Denver has managed to keep pace despite being without their franchise cornerstone, Nikola Jokic, for an extended stretch.
That’s no small feat. It speaks to the resilience of this roster and the strength of their system.
And with the trade deadline just weeks away, the race between these two Western Conference heavyweights is far from settled.
While Oklahoma City is expected to stand pat at the deadline, Denver is reportedly exploring ways to upgrade their bench-specifically at the backup point guard spot. According to league sources, the Nuggets are keeping a close eye on both the trade and buyout markets in hopes of adding a veteran floor general to support Jamal Murray.
And that’s where things get interesting.
Last season, Denver’s Achilles heel was depth. Their starting five could hang with anyone, but once you got into their second unit, things got shaky.
Russell Westbrook, who served as the backup point guard, never quite found the rhythm needed to keep the offense humming when Murray sat. That lack of cohesion off the bench proved costly, especially against a Thunder team that could roll out productive lineups 10-deep.
This past offseason, Denver made a concerted effort to fix that. They brought in Jonas Valančiūnas via trade and added Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown in free agency.
The moves shored up the rotation and gave them more lineup versatility. Still, the numbers suggest there’s work to be done.
When you isolate bench minutes, the Nuggets rank just 11th in offensive rating-a sign that the second unit still isn’t quite where it needs to be. As a team, they’re 10th in assist percentage, which is solid, but not elite.
With limited cap flexibility, Denver doesn’t have a ton of wiggle room, but they’re reportedly eyeing names like Tyus Jones or D’Angelo Russell-players who could bring stability, shot creation, and veteran savvy to the second unit. Even a small move in that direction could shift the balance of power in the West.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma City’s success hasn’t just been about their stars. Their bench has been one of the best in the league-ranked fourth in bench-specific offensive rating. That kind of production from the second unit is rare, and it’s a big reason why they’ve been able to maintain such a blistering pace.
Take Ajay Mitchell, for example. He averaged just 16.6 minutes per game last season, but this year, he’s emerged as a borderline All-Star.
That’s the kind of internal development that separates good teams from great ones. The Thunder don’t just have depth-they have dynamic, evolving depth.
So here’s the bottom line: if Denver can land the right piece-a steady hand to run the show when Murray sits-they could become a serious problem for Oklahoma City. The margins between these two teams are razor-thin. One move could be all it takes to tilt the scales.
The Thunder are still the favorites. But the Nuggets are coming. And if they get the reinforcement they’re looking for, the Western Conference race could get very, very real.