Western Conference Meltdown: 4 Teams In Trouble (Pelicans, Kings, Clippers, Mavericks)

In this week’s episode, we dive into the Western Conference’s most troubled teams — four franchises that are far off the pace in the 2025–26 NBA season: New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, LA Clippers, and Dallas Mavericks.

New Orleans Pelicans  has stumbled out of the gate with a 2–10 start, the worst record in the West so far. Their offense ranks near the bottom of the league at just 108.8 points per game, while their defense is hemorrhaging points — allowing 121.6 per game, giving them a league-worst net rating. 

Sacramento Kings is also in free-fall with a 3–10 record. Their offensive rating is weak, their defensive rating even worse, and they’re leaking points at a clip that’s pushing them toward one of the worst starts in franchise history. Early-season projections have them on pace for a historically bad season.

LA Clippers has had a rough beginning too, with only 4 wins and 10 losses so far. Their roster isn’t gelling, and despite individual talent, they’re failing to find consistency on both ends.

Dallas Mavericks is matching the Kings with a 3–10 mark, plagued by inefficiency, defensive lapses, and a lack of cohesion. They’ve struggled to close out games and are having trouble defending their paint and executing late. 

So what’s next? We ask the big question — can any of these teams right the ship? Do we believe there’s enough talent, structure, or hope for improvement — or are they stuck in a long-term slump? Tune in to hear our predictions, break down possible turning points, and find out which team, if any, could emerge from this Western Conference malaise.

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