PACIFIC DIVISION
LAKERS
2019- 20: 52- 19 ( 1st) Won NBA Finals over Miami
Hello: Marc Gasol ( FA), Wesley Matthews ( FA), Dennis Schroder ( trade), Montrezl Harrell ( FA). Goodbye: Danny Green ( trade), Dwight Howard ( FA), JaVale McGee ( trade), Rajon Rondo ( FA) Outlook: The reigning champions lost some valuable role players but managed to get younger in adding the 27- year- old Schroder, who gives them another playmaker and scorer, while veterans like Gasol and Matthews will provide defensive grit and inside- outside scoring ability. A trip back to the Finals and an attempt to win a record 18th title seems likely barring misfortune with injuries.
CLIPPERS
2019- 20: 49- 23 ( 2nd) Eliminated in second round
by Denver Hello: Serge Ibaka ( FA), Luke Kennard ( trade). Goodbye: JaMychal Green ( FA), Montrezl Harrell ( FA). Outlook: All the pieces are in place this season for the other L. A. team trying to make its own history — getting to the conference finals — with new coach Tyronn Lue. AllStar forwards Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are healthy, in camp and have plenty of help for a first Hallway Series in the playoffs. Adding the versatile Ibaka with the starters and re- signing Marcus Morris were key. Kennard needs to replicate the breakout season he had in Detroit, though.
PHOENIX
2019- 20: 34- 39 ( 10th) Did not qualify
for playoffs Hello: Jae Crowder ( FA), Chris Paul ( trade), Jalen Smith ( draft). Goodbye: Justin Jackson ( trade), Kelly Oubre Jr. ( trade), Ricky Rubio ( trade). Outlook: Can Paul do for the Suns what he did in Oklahoma City? Stabilizing a young core has been his forte the last few stops of his career, including with the Clippers’ Lob City crew. Offensive dynamo Devin Booker helped Phoenix go 8- 0 in the bubble and almost qualify for the postseason play- in game against Portland. Now Paul gives the Suns one of the top scorers in the fourth quarter.
SACRAMENTO
2019- 20: 31- 41 ( 12th) Did not qualify
for playoffs Hello: Tyrese Haliburton ( draft), Glenn Robinson II ( FA), Hassan Whiteside ( FA), Chimezie Metu ( FA). Goodbye: Kent Bazemore ( FA), Bogdan Bogdanovic ( FA). Outlook: De’Aaron Fox, Marvin Bagley III and Buddy Hield will get another highly touted draft pick to join them in Haliburton, but it will be difficult for the Kings to break their drought of 14 consecutive seasons missing the playoffs. Whiteside gives them a rim protector and rebounder but not much offensive punch. Bagley’s injury history gives them pause.
GOLDEN STATE
2019- 20: 15- 50 ( 15th) Did not qualify
for playoffs Hello: Kent Bazemore ( FA), Kelly Oubre Jr. ( FA), James Wiseman ( draft), Brad Wanamaker ( FA). Goodbye ( for now): Klay Thompson ( injury). Outlook: Can the Warriors go from first, to worst, to back to the playoffs? It's a big ask with Thompson lost for another season, this time because of a torn Achilles tendon. Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, Oubre and Wiseman, the No. 2 overall pick, form a solid foundation. Bazemore is back to fortify the bench. Who knows what this team will end up looking like?