Denver Nuggets
Record: 53-28
Best Case: The Nuggets make the Western Conference Finals and give the Warriors a good fight before falling to them in six games. Denver has been viewed as less of a threat in the West than Houston right now and if the Nuggets can make it to the WCF then that should quiet the doubt. The Nuggets also get a completely healthy Michael Porter Jr in the offseason who looks just as good as he did before the injuries in college.
Worst Case: The Nuggets struggle in the first round before getting bounced by the Spurs in seven games. Denver continues to look like a good but not great team and Michael Porter Jr. comes back but his back continues to give him problems.
Golden State Warriors
Record: 57-24
Best Case: For the Warriors, the best case is simple. They win the NBA Finals in dominant fashion, again, and then in free agency Kevin Durant ends up re-signing with franchise along with Klay Thompson and the Warriors dominance continues. Golden State would need a few things to possibly help such as Kyrie Irving staying in Boston or at least not going to New York as well as a dominant playoff run that contains as little drama as possible.
Worst Case: The Warriors not only fail to capture the NBA title but they don’t even make it to the Finals. The Warriors are upset in the Western Conference Finals by the Houston Rockets in seven games and then in the offseason Kevin Durant bolts and the Warriors have to find replacements for Durant and Shaun Livingston, who retires.