West:
1. Lakers (Stacked roster and got better assets off the bench than last year. I worry a bit about their rebounding, paint defense (particularly off the bench), but they can play with rotations that should be able to pretty much hide the weaknesses)
2. Clippers. (Ibaka is a huge add, but they kinda tied themselves with the Morris deal. and THEY NEED A BALL DISTRIBUTOR. They could maybe pick one up at the deadline, but if not, I highly doubt they go anywhere)
3 . Nuggets. (Lets see if Murray can continue his play from the Bubble; if he does, they might be the 2 seed)
4. Mavericks. (Porzingis's health is essential. Another possible 2 seed if things fall to plan, but they could fall to 8th if not)
5. Portland. (I love their moves, Covington is an excellent edition, that'll provide the 3/D that their starting lineup DESPERATELY needs. Still need a good defensive big off the bench or see how the young guys develop
6. Jazz. (I just feel they need another guy to help move them up to the next level)
7. Rockets (They're falling off, but they still have the talent to fight as of right now. If Westbrook goes, I can still see this team make it as the 8th, but if Harden is gone, they'll miss them. The Team build would be too hard to get in).
8. Suns. (Chris Paul will get this team into the playoffs, just with his experience that the young team will learn about. Booker/Ayton will probably border all-star, but the rest of the team needs to develop too. It might take a couple years. They also need to look for a young back-up for when Paul leaves/retires.
9. Grizzlies (Might take a bit of step back cause the deep west, but they'll be fine. Morant will keep getting better, and if someone falls off, they should sneak in, but I still think they need a bit of time.
10. Pelicans (Zion needs to stay healthy. I love how many picks they have + their talent. I feel Ball really starts to connect with the main pieces (Zion/Ingram) and is in top 3 of assists. Just like Memphis, when FA hits next year, could see them fly up the standings)
11. Warriors (The Klay injury kills them. Curry's great, but it's gonna be hard to jump all of these Western teams. This'll be a year for Wiseman to develop, and likely get a top 10 pick from Minnesota.
12. T'wolves. (I have concerns about this team defensively. Russell/Towns is nice, but Edwards might need a little bit, and they aren't that deep. Unfortunately, they might end up in a position where they yield a top 5-10 pick to the Warriors).
13. Spurs. (I think this is pretty much the end for them. I anticipate Demar being a possible trade piece come the deadline, and it'll be interesting to see how much longer Pop lasts (seeing they might be going through a rebuild, and he's been around for 22 years).
14. Kings. (They have Fox and Bagley which is a nice start, but what is their plan? They lost a bunch of guys or are about to lose some guys to Free Agency, and aren't really deep. Feel this will be a year where they let their young guys try to grow with tons of playing time while ending with a top 5-8 pick in the deep draft next year).
15. Thunder (GET YOUR TANKS READY! Some Good pieces, but they'll likely end up top 5 in the draft with their own pick, and likely bank on more of their 29 First round picks over the next 5 years

)
Playoffs
1. Lakers beat 8. Suns 4-2
2. Clippers beat 7. Rockets 4-3
3. Nuggets beat 6. Jazz 4-2
4. Mavericks beat Blazers 4-3
1. Lakers beat 4. Mavericks 4-1
2. Clippers beat 3. Nuggets 4-3
1. Lakers beat 2. Clippers 4-2
Finals:
Lakers defeat
Milwaukee 4-2
Playoff MVP: Markief Morris