Are the Lakers Still Contenders In the Stacked West?

OKC Sets the Standard In the Western Conference

There was no question about the best in the West last season — it was the Thunder, the reigning NBA champions. They finished the year with 68 wins in a stacked conference, all while dealing with injuries at the center position. With their entire core back and now carrying the confidence of a championship, OKC is expected to dominate the West once again.

Denver Reloads for Another Run

The most obvious challenger is the Nuggets, who had a strong offseason. They added Cameron Johnson and Tim Hardaway Jr. to bolster their perimeter shooting. More importantly, they welcomed back Bruce Brown, the versatile wing who was a key piece of their 2023 title run.

And of course, they still have Nikola Jokić, arguably the best player in the NBA today. While OKC may be the defending champion, Denver’s continuity and star power keep them firmly in the hunt for Western supremacy.

Houston Rockets Make a Bold Move

The other team knocking on the door of elite status is the Rockets, who finished last season with a 52–30 record, good for second in the West. It was a breakout campaign built on defense, athleticism, and the growth of their young core.

This summer, Houston made perhaps the boldest move of any contender, trading Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Kevin Durant. Even in his mid-30s, he remains one of the most feared scorers in basketball. Surrounded by Alperen Şengün, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr., Durant’s arrival instantly gives Houston the star power to compete for a top-two or top-three seed again.

The Next Group: This Is Where the Lakers Belong

The Lakers made several moves this offseason to fit the playing style of their new franchise centerpiece and to address weaknesses from last year. But issues remain. The team still lacks a reliable perimeter defender, as it would be too much to ask of an injury-prone Smart to carry that responsibility every night. Ayton presents another concern — questions about his work ethic linger, and last season, he played barely half the games for Portland. Add in a shallow bench, and it becomes clear why Los Angeles falls into the next group rather than the elite tier, even with Dončić and James leading the way.

In this tier, the Lakers will be battling with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, and Los Angeles Clippers — three teams with playoff aspirations but flaws of their own:

• Timberwolves: Powered by rising superstar Anthony Edwards, the Wolves combine elite athleticism with size inside thanks to Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle. Their defense gives them a chance against anyone, but inconsistency in high-pressure moments has held them back.

• Warriors: Though no longer the dynasty they once were, Golden State remains dangerous with Stephen Curry still playing at an elite level. Experience and shooting make them a tough out, but age, injuries, and a lack of depth have lowered their ceiling.

• Clippers: With Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and new additions, Los Angeles can match up with any team in the league. But their long-running issue remains the same — health. If their stars miss time, the Clippers lack the depth to keep pace in the brutal Western Conference.

For the Lakers, these are the teams they’ll be jockeying with for playoff seeding. Winning this mini-battle will determine whether they enter the postseason with momentum — or risk sliding back into the Play-In.