NBA Free Agency 2010: Attrition Makes Western Conference Competitive

With the recent off-season free agency moves, a lot has changed for the Western Conference. The Western Conference power-house teams such as the Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz have lost key players in Amar'e Stoudemire and Carlos Boozer. Some Eastern Conference teams certainly have gotten better, but it only made the Western Conference more competitive.

As far as the playoffs are concerned, the West could have as many as twelve or thirteen possible teams representing them in the Lakers, Suns, Jazz, Nuggets, Mavericks, Rockets, Warriors, Hornets, Trailblazers, Spurs, Thunder, Kings, Grizzlies, and Clippers.

Here are some of the teams who made some major adjustments:

Utah Jazz

This team may have a big surprise coming for them this season. Who knows what Al Jefferson can bring to the table and who knows how much Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver, and Wesley Mathews actually helped this team.

All I know is that, without some of those players, this team might not be the same. But it was time for some change, after all, they did have a VERY similar team for quite a few seasons.

Phoenix Suns

This team might have gotten stronger, but at the same time there's a possibility this team has suffered a huge loss due to Amar'e Stoudemire's departure.

They may have added Hedo Turkoglu, Josh Childress, and Hakim Warrick, but is that enough to get them back to the Western Conference Finals?

Golden State Warriors

This franchise has been in turmoil since Baron Davis left them. But is this the man who can help turn this franchise around? He is everything the Warriors will need.

Plus they had some major adjustments with the acquisition of Jeremy Lin and Dorrell Wright. This team might actually have a chance at going back to the old days in the playoffs.

New Orleans Hornets

Changes? Not really. But this team might just ruin their chances of being in the playoffs away if the controversy with Chris Paul continues.

If things keep up and the Hornets refuse to trade him, I'm almost certain he will not be playing as good as he should be. This could jeopardize the franchise either way.

Sacramento Kings

Demarcus Cousins might just be the answer to this franchise's future and season. I think if he can get over his inconsistency issue then things will turn out well for the Kings.

The Kings have certainly made some interesting movies this off-season, nonetheless, especially considering the acquisition of Samuel Dalembert.

Los Angeles Clippers

Blake Griffin was ruled out with an injury for the whole of last season, but if he can stay healthy, he can turn things around for this franchise.

They have a great lineup, but for some reason they just somehow always find their way into misfortune. With the new additions of Al-Farouq Aminu and Eric Bledsoe, this could be a great season for the Clippers.