ESPN Predicts Western Conference Standings: Lakers in the Bottom Group, Warriors Competing for Playoff Spots in the Play-In Group

August 23 news, as the 2024-25 season approaches, ESPN organized experts to predict the standings of the Western Conference teams for the new season. Unlike previous direct rankings, this time ESPN categorized the 15 teams into championship contenders, play-in groups, and bottom teams. The specific predictions are as follows:

Championship Contenders

Oklahoma City Thunder: 57 wins – 25 losses

Minnesota Timberwolves: 54 wins – 28 losses

Dallas Mavericks: 52 wins – 30 losses

Denver Nuggets: 52 wins – 30 losses

Phoenix Suns: 49 wins – 33 losses

Sacramento Kings: 47 wins – 35 losses

Play-In Group

New Orleans Pelicans: 46 wins – 36 losses

Golden State Warriors: 45 wins – 37 losses

Memphis Grizzlies: 44 wins – 38 losses

Houston Rockets: 44 wins – 38 losses

Bottom Five Teams

Los Angeles Lakers: 44 wins – 38 losses

Los Angeles Clippers: 43 wins – 39 losses

San Antonio Spurs: 35 wins – 47 losses

Utah Jazz: 26 wins – 56 losses

Portland Trail Blazers: 22 wins – 60 losses

In its report, ESPN wrote: “Two out of the six championship contending teams will have significant changes in the new season. One is the Suns, who will still pin their hopes on their big three — Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. If these three can improve their health status, their strength will be far from what it was last season; the other team is the Kings, who introduced All-Star DeMar DeRozan, forming one of the most crucial backcourt duos in the league with De’Aaron Fox.”

Regarding the Warriors, although they lost Klay Thompson and veteran point guard Chris Paul, they added valuable rotation players such as De’Anthony Melton, Buddy Hield, and Kyle Anderson, so their strength is not much different from last season. In its prediction, ESPN pointed out that “the Warriors were eliminated in the play-in tournament last season, and they signed several players to mitigate the impact of losing Thompson, but this may not be enough to get Stephen Curry and others back into the playoffs.”