6) Los Angeles Lakers
Even now, 15 years after he first entered the league, LeBron James remains the best player on the planet. Surround him with 14 other dudes and you’re more or less guaranteed 50 wins and a playoff berth at minimum.
Having said that, things will be harder on the King this time around. Aside from the roster’s young guns — Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma — the Lakers are a baffling bunch.
First-team All-Knucklehead performers Lance Stephenson, Michael Beasley, JaVale McGee and Rajon Rondo probably weren’t the names anyone had in mind where surrounding James with talent was concerned. For better or worse, though, the Lake Show will be a sight to see.
5) New Orleans Pelicans
Things are finally starting to roll in NOLA.
After averaging just under 32 wins per season over the previous six years, Anthony Davis and Co. racked up nearly 50 last season and advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2007-08.
With AD and Jrue Holiday leading the way, Nikola Mirotic spacing the floor and talented big man Julius Randle joining the fold, I really feel like people are underselling what the Pels are capable of in the year to come.
4) Oklahoma City Thunder
Make no mistake about it — having a healthy Andre Roberson back will be huge for OKC.
When he was on the floor last season, the Thunder outscored opponents by 10 points per 100 possessions; by far the largest positive margin of the team’s rotation regulars. Along the way, they posted a D-rating under 97. Like Rudy Gobert in Utah, Roberson’s impact defensively is legitimately game-changing.
Between his return and Paul George‘s shocking decision to stay put, the Thunder will be right there with the Jazz and the Rockets at the top of the West. Just behind the Warriors, of course.