Tier 3: Who’s competing to make the playoffs and face off with the Utah Jazz?
Los Angeles Clippers
The third tier is made of two teams that will most likely be competing for the 9 seed in the West.
The Clippers are without Kahwi Leonard all season long (reportedly) and with that, they will need to look like the team they were in the playoffs in order to get back to the postseason. They are certainly expected to regress from what their performance was in the playoffs but if they are close to that form, then they are a tier too low. If they do regress, the worst-case scenario seems to be here where they are competing to make the playoffs.
Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis is on the outside looking in but they are still in the same tier as the Clippers. They made the playoffs last year but they seem the most likely team to be knocked from the field with Golden State ascending again. They need JJJ or Dillion Brooks to take a leap forward to bring a second star next to Ja Morant.
Conclusion: Utah Jazz should be at or near the top this year
Ultimately, the Utah Jazz should be right back at the top of the West this year. Unless the Los Angeles Lakers turn on the jets for the whole regular season, the Utah Jazz have the most complete and ready team to take the Western Conference mantle during the regular season.