Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Phoenix Suns fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
With four championships and seven Finals appearances across three different teams in the past decade, the Pacific Division has been the best in the NBA over the last 10 years. Mostly led by LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and Kawhi Leonard, there’s been some new
blood added to the division with Luka Dončić and Jimmy Butler joining the division and Durant leaving it after being traded.
After strong finishes to the season a year ago, the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Golden State Warriors appear to be the favorites to finish atop the division once again. All of them kept their cores intact and added key players at positions of need. While the Clippers and Warriors remain some of the oldest teams in NBA history, their depth gives them the chance to stay atop the Western Conference once again, while the Lakers will get their first full season employing Dončic…that still feels weird to say.
The fourth place team last year was the Sacramento Kings. Hiring Doug Christie from the interim position, their roster looks eerily similar to the one they ended the year with after trading away De’Aaron Fox and getting Zach Lavine. Their major offseason acquisition was signing Dennis Schröder. As they were last year, the Kings project to be led by Lavine, Domantas Sabonis and DeMar Derozan.
For a deeper dive on the rest of the division’s offseason activity:
The Valley finished last in the Pacific for the first time in six seasons last year. After trading away Kevin Durant, buying out Bradley Beal, and hiring Jordan Ott as head coach, the Suns have had the most turnover from both a roster and organizational standpoint in the division, and the books say it projects them to finish last once again. According to FanDuel, the Lakers boast the shortest odds to win the division at +125 odds, while the Valley has the longest odds, set at +7000.
The Valley starts their season on October 22, where they’ll host the Kings. Where will they finish this year in the division?
