Where Lakers, Warriors rank in crowded Western Conference

The two premier NBA teams in California had very distinct offseasons. The Lakers overhauled their roster around Luka Dončić, adding Walker Kessler, Collin Sexton, Quentin Grimes, Matisse Thybulle, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Ziaire Williams, Jaden Hardy and Cameron Carr. Meanwhile, the Warriors pretty much stood pat. The one thing both teams had in common? They missed out on LeBron James, who chose to leave the Lakers after eight seasons and join the 76ers in free agency. The Lakers, who won their first championship in 10 years in 2020, are trying to climb back atop the league after acquiring Dončić in a stunning trade in February 2025.Meanwhile the Warriors, the league’s modern-day dynasty after winning four championships in eight years from 2015-2022, are trying to enable Steph Curry to play meaningful basketball amid the sunset of his career in a league that has gotten younger and faster, passing them by. So, where will the Lakers and Warriors rank next season in the very crowded Western Conference?Here are our predictions:The Thunder and Spurs are head and shoulders above the Lakers. Those teams have no obvious weaknesses. They have youth.They have superstars.

They have depth.They have incredible defense.

And they’ve proven they have the chemistry and mental fortitude to go deep in the playoffs. After revamping their team to get younger and deeper, the Lakers are on their way to being able to compete with the creme de la creme of the West, but they’re not there yet. They need an elite perimeter defender.They need time to jell.

They’re a few tweaks away from being considered real contenders. Could the Lakers finish higher than Nikola Jokic and his Nuggets? Yes.The Nuggets had a disappointing offseason following a first-round playoff exit in April, including losing Peyton Watson, Tim Hardaway Jr.

and Bruce Brown. As for the Timberwolves? They could give the Lakers fits behind perennial All-Star Anthony Edwards and four-time Defensive Pla...