NBA Western Conference predictions: Where will the Lakers fall?

10 of the 15 Western Conference teams will qualify for the play-in game next April. Los Angeles Lakers are somewhere in the middle of that group.

The San Antonio Spurs are rebuilding and have only 3 or 4 recognizable names. Houston Rockets are playing for the future and will rely on youngsters like Jalen Green.

Danny Ainge blew up the Utah Jazz roster this offseason. Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, Bojan Bogdanovic and Mike Conley are gone. Before long, so too might be Mike conley, Jordan Clarkson and Rudy Gay. Utah is a surefire bet to miss the playoffs and compete for the top pick in the 2023 draft.

The Sacramento Kings are struggling in the Pacific Division. The Oklahoma City Thunder are a lottery team. The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to finish last in their division.

Portland welcomes back Damian Lillard, Jusuf Nurkic and Jerami Grant. Josh Hart, Drew Eubanks, Justice Winslow, Anfernee Simons and Gary Payton II will support Laker's Big Three. The Blazers should hold off the Kings for the final spot in the play-in tournament.

LeBron James and Anthony Davis missed 68 games last year and the Lakers won just 33 times. The roster got younger and should be more energetic and better defensively. Patrick Beverley was the team's biggest offseason acquisition.

The New Orleans Pelicans are on the verge of competitiveness. If Zion Williamson stays healthy and plays as good as projected, this could be the year the Pels move up in the standings.

Dallas Mavericks are counting on Luka Doncic and Spencer Dinwiddie to improve after him. They upset the Suns in the playoffs last spring but their roster doesn't inspire confidence.

Last year Memphis Grizzlies finished second in the West. This year they have a deep roster, but Jaren Jackson is expected to miss the first couple of months with a stress fracture.

Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns form an intriguing front court for Minnesota Timberwolves. The team has a formidable backcourt of Anthony Edwards and D’Angelo Russell.

Denver Nuggets are led by two-time MVP Nikola Jokic. Jamal Murray is expected to start in the backcourt with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr will provide additional offense.

Phoenix Suns are 3 in the Western Conference. Suns lost in a playoff series against Dallas. Their owner Robert Sarver is planning to sell the team. Coach Monty Williams and center Deandre Ayton don't see eye-to-eye.

The Los Angeles Clippers are the team to beat in the Western Conference. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George form an all-star top two. The supporting cast includes Nicolas Batum, Robert Covington, Reggie Jackson, Luke Kennard, Marcus Morris, Norman Powell, Ivica Zubac and newcomer John Wall.

Golden State Warriors are the defending champions. They return their veteran Big Three of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. Kevon Looney, Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins are also back.