Playoff bound

1. L.A. Lakers — Old, yes. Good, yes. Really good ... time will tell. James convinced players like Anthony and Westbrook to run with him, which suggests he’s loading up for a title run.

2. Phoenix — Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton made it work last season, but the Suns won’t be surprising anyone this year. Coach Monty Williams pushed every right button last season.

3. Utah — Donovan Mitchell’s ankle played a big role in Utah’s playoff demise last season. He’s raring to go, and with him, Rudy Gobert and Joe Ingles there’s no reason why the Jazz shouldn’t think title.

4. Denver — Michael Malone remains one of the league’s underrated coaches. Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic is all-worldly good, Jamal Murray will be back, and Denver’s defense gives it a chance every night.

5. Golden State — Stephen Curry was MVP-level good last year. Klay Thompson’s return will be a big lift whenever it happens. Andre Iguodala returns for his final season. There’s nothing not to like here.

6. Dallas — Luka Doncic just keeps getting better and better. New coach Jason Kidd, who won a title in Dallas as a player, will have this team scoring a ton of points. The wild-card: Kristaps Porzingis.

Into the play-in

7. L.A. Clippers — The Clippers might do just enough to get into the playoff mix, then get a healthy and well-rested Kawhi Leonard back from his knee rehab for the stretch run. A scary proposition for opponents.

8. Portland — Damian Lillard is as good of a scorer and leader as there is in the game, and surely will benefit from being part of the Olympic team this summer. Blazers must — must — take a leap forward.

9. San Antonio — The easiest thing Gregg Popovich could have done was take his Olympic gold medal, retire and enjoyed wine for the rest of his life. He came back for a reason. Don’t forget the Spurs.

10. Memphis — Steven Adams playing pickand-roll with Ja Morant should lead to automatic scores. And Morant is on his way to elite, without question. But the Grizzlies are still so very young.

Facing long odds

11. New Orleans — Zion Williamson is the key to everything. If he’s great, they’ll be higher.

12. Sacramento — This is way too low for the Kings. Then again, the West is also that good.

13. Minnesota — This is the T’Wolves fate — unless they are winners of the Ben Simmons Trade Sweepstakes.

14. Houston — Jalen Green is going to put up enormous numbers and contend for top rookie.

15. Oklahoma City — At some point, the basketball world will learn what all those draft picks will become.

RINGO H.W. CHIU/AP Warriors guard Stephen Curry played at an MVP level last season but got little help. Golden State is looking to get Klay Thompson back. He missed to past two seasons with knee and Achilles injuries.