RealGM

The West looks to be brutal again. Let's assume OKC, Minny, Hou and Den are locks for the playoffs, and that Utah has no chance (no offense Jazz fans, but I think you'd agree)

So, of the remaining 10 teams, only 4 can make the playoffs. Which four teams will make it?

I have Lakers (Luka revenge tour), GS (Curry's last great season), Mavs (counting on AD is tough-but they have talent) and Port (homer pick, Bulls' fans would love to get their #16 pick-but I do like what they're doing).

I have Memphis and the Spurs as the Playin losers, and Sac/Clips/Suns/NO as lotto bound

Spurs are going to be top-4 (barring Wemby missing over 30 games) - "remember this tweet".

Even with their turmoil, I'd be shocked if the Clippers don't make it. Even if Leonard's contract gets voided they are still loaded with veteran talent.

The Lakers with Luka will make it. Not sold on Ayton but Luka and LeBron are not going to let them miss out.

Golden State probably has enough in the tank still to make the 6-8 seed, and I think the Spurs are about due to take a jump and get in.

It would be an utter disappointment if the Spurs don’t make the playoffs.

My only picks are the Lakers, Warriors, and Mavericks. They seem like the most stable right now, have the most clear cut superstars, roster stability, etc.

Mavs, despite AD’s injury history and Kyrie being out, the team is still deep as hell, AD is a superstar, Flagg is a nice touch and will contribute well as a secondary/tertiary guy.

Warriors, too many veterans

Lakers have the floor because of Luka. LeBron is a nice piece on top.

For the rest, too many issues. Sacramento, terrible team build. Suns, wtf. Spurs just have too many questions and young guys that have to step up, but it would not be surprising if they take the leap, but it’s not proven.

Memphis too many injuries to stars, and a worse roster. Portland, just not there yet. NO, I gave up on this franchise and the Zion era. Maybe they put together a season, Zion exerted himself in the play-in and got injured, I have no clue of he’s physically capable of getting a team there.

I am not picking the Clippers because Kawhi could get voided and anyone can get injured at their age.

Clippers and Lakers should be locks as well. My question for the Clippers is not about what's going on with the fraud scandal, but can these 30+ year old dudes stay healthy to make a strong run.

I also voted for the Mavericks, because if you scan their roster, its really good with guards that can setup their forwards and bigs. Flagg will have a trial by fire season to see if he lives up to the hype, and he'll come out unscathed.

My surprise team is the Spurs, because Wemby in his 3rd year will be looking like a monster, and he has a good supporting cast, but I question the fit of Dylan Harper. Great athlete, but not a good shooter.

In some but no particular order these are the 8 playoff teams + 2 play in spots

OKC, Minny, Denver, Houston, Lakers, Mavs, Spurs, GS, Clippers, Mephis

Blazers are severely underrated here.
They had a good run last season even after doing everything to tank if looking at their roster construction.
Now they all are 1 year older, and with some decent vet presence, I count on them to be around the HC advantage in play-in

BruttoNostra wrote:Blazers are severely underrated here.
They had a good run last season even after doing everything to tank if looking at their roster construction.
Now they all are 1 year older, and with some decent vet presence, I count on them to be around the HC advantage in play-in

I was between Portland and San Antonio for the last pick, but the Wemby/Fox combo and the rest of their developing role-players inched them ahead.

Portland will be better than most people are expecting though. Play-in team for sure.

My guess:

1. OKC
2. Rockets
3. Clippers
4. Denver
5. Lakers
6. Golden State
7. Minnesota
8. Dallas
9. San Antonio
10. Memphis

Spurs will make the playoffs barring injury. Book it

Voted for SA/MEM/LAC/LAL

Golden State/Dallas will be low seeded play in teams and end up missing the playoffs

Voted Spurs, Lakers, Mavs, Warriors, in no particular order.

Predictions
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2471466

How are the Lakers not a lock when they just came off a 50-win season, while changing their entire roster in the middle of it, with a first year head coach? They also replaced Jaxon Hayes with DeAndre Ayton and replaced DFS with Marcus Smart and Jake LaRivia.

Lakers, Clippers, Mavericks, Warriors

Spurs are a lock for playoffs this year.
Wemby gonna have a great season.

I think Lakers, Mavs, and Warriors make it. 4th spot is between Clips, Spurs, and Grizz.

Clips should be the favorites, maybe over all the teams on this list, but I'm not sure how this Kawhi stuff plays out.

My guess is:

1. OKC
2. DEN
3. HOU
4. LAC
5. MIN
6. DAL
7. SAS
8. LAL
9. MEM
10. GSW
11. SAC
12. POR
13. NOP
14. PHX
15. UTA

Who owns the Suns' pick this year? They could easily be bottom 5-looking at the West. Only BRK/Wash/Utah project worse at this moment

pipfan wrote:Who owns the Suns' pick this year? They could easily be bottom 5-looking at the West. Only BRK/Wash/Utah project worse at this moment

2026 First-Round Pick: The Suns have traded away some of their first-round picks in recent years, but they still retain their own 2026 first-round pick. However, this pick may be subject to swap conditions depending on the outcomes of other teams' performances, particularly the Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz.