We will break down the landscape in the Pacific Division.
The Pacific Division is loaded with individual talent, but with that abundance of talent comes a plethora of question marks and uncertainty.
A lot has happened this offseason, so this will be your quick guide for what the Phoenix Suns’ divisional rivals did and what to look for this season.
Let’s get right into it. Here’s what each team in the Pacific Division did with a roster outlook and prediction for next season.
Disclaimer: This is in no particular order.
Los Angeles Clippers
- 2023-24 record: 51-31
Key Additions: Derrick Jones, Nicolas Batum, Kris Dunn, Mo Bamba, Kevin Porter Jr., Cameron Christie.
Re-signed: James Harden, Ivica Zubac, Kai Jones
Key Losses: Paul George, Russell Westbrook, Mason Plumlee, Daniel Theis, Brandon Boston Jr., Moussa Diabate.
Projected Depth Chart:
James Harden — Terance Mann — Kawhi Leonard — Derrick Jones — Ivica Zubac
Kris Dunn — Amir Coffey — Norman Powell — Nicolas Batum — Mo Bamba
The Clippers had quite an eventful offseason. Losing Paul George is a tough blow, but they did a nice job filling out their depth with some athleticism, defense, and youth.
On paper, they still look like a threat at full strength. Notice a trend here? This seems to be the Clippers’ calling card entering every season. I will not count on them to stay healthy, but we shall see.
Prediction: Top 6 team if everything goes right. Median outcome = play-in team. An injury away from blowing it up. This is a volatile team.
Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images
Golden State Warriors
- 2023-24 record: 46-36
Key Additions: Buddy Hield, Kyle Anderson, De’Anthony Melton, Daeqwon Plowden, Reece Beekman
Re-signed: Steph Curry
Key Losses: Klay Thompson, Chris Paul, Dario Saric, Jerome Robinson, Usman Garuba
Projected Depth Chart:
Steph Curry — Brandin Podziemski — Andrew Wiggins — Jonathan Kuminga — Draymond Green
De’Anthony Melton — Gary Payton II — Buddy Hield — Kyle Anderson — Trayce Jackson Davis
The Warriors losing Klay and CP3 creates an opportunity for an expanded role for Podziemski and Kuminga, who each showcased flashes of excellent last season. Can they put it together and more importantly can Andrew Wiggins play at a high level again? Steph will continue to do his thing, but he needs help. Hield is their Klay replacement, and adding Kyle Anderson and De’Anthony Melton should help improve their bench depth.
Prediction: Borderline Play-In team, just like last year. If things go bad they could spiral quickly and finish near the bottom of the West. If everything goes right they have the potential to crack the playoffs outright.
Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
Los Angeles Lakers
- 2023-24 record: 47-35
Key Additions: Dalton Knecht, Bronny James, Christian Koloko, Jordan Goodwin
Re-signed: LeBron James
Key Losses: Spencer Dinwiddie, Taurean Prince, Skylar Mays
Projected Depth Chart:
D’Angelo Russell — Austin Reaves — LeBron James — Rui Hachimura — Anthony Davis
Gabe Vincent — Max Christie — Dalton Knecht — Jarred Vanderbilt — Jaxson Hayes
The Lakers didn’t exactly make any splashy moves this summer, but they still have a guy named LeBron James. Anthony Davis’s health and LeBron’s age will be at the forefront of their success or demise yet again.
Prediction: Same as last year. I see them slotting somewhere in the 6-10 range assuming they stay relatively healthy.
Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images
Sacramento Kings
- 2023-24 record: 46-36
Key Additions: DeMar DeRozan, Jalen McDaniels, Jordan McLaughlin, Orlando Robinson
Re-signed: Malik Monk, Alex Len
Key Losses: Harrison Barnes, Chris Duarte, Davion Mitchell, JaVale McGee, Kessler Edwards, Jordan Ford
Projected Depth Chart:
De’Aaron Fox — Kevin Huerter — DeMar DeRozan — Keegan Murray — Domantas Sabonis
Jordan McLaughlin — Keon Ellis — Malik Monk — Trey Lyles — Alex Len
The Kings have some talent, especially on the offensive end. How will they fair defensively? Will they have enough spacing? How will DDR fit into their core?
There are certainly questions that exist with this team, but I feel comfortable in them making it work. DeRozan has shown he is capable of blending in environments seamlessly for the most part.
Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
Pacific Division Rankings (excluding Suns)
- Kings
- Lakers
- Clippers
- Warriors
Despite concerns about fit, I love the DDR addition for Sacramento. The Kings have their issues, but they are going to win games.
The rest of this group is led by aging stars and health will determine the order. It’s a very loose ranking for me at the moment with not much of a gap between teams 2-4. LeBron and Davis are still a dynamic duo as we saw in the Olympics, but will they endure the rigors of an 82-game season? Will Kawhi play more than 50 games? Harden? Steph will have a heavy weight on his shoulders.
There’s a lot of uncertainty with these talented yet flawed teams. The same could be said for the Suns, though I’d put them above Sacramento at the top of the mountain of question marks.