Predicting the NBA Pacific Division Standings for the 2023-24 Season

How will the most competitive division in the NBA shake up this season?

Amid a competitive 2022-23 NBA season, the Pacific Division was one of two divisions where all five teams won 40+ games. Every California team and the Phoenix Suns finished last season with a winning record and a playoff appearance. 

The Sacramento Kings came out on top of the division for the first time in 20 years but fell short in the playoffs, as division rival Golden State Warriors took them down in the first round.

The Los Angeles Lakers made the Western Conference Finals after fighting out of the play-in tournament. The Lakers' in-town brother, the Los Angeles Clippers, fell in the first round to the Suns, another division foe. 

There are no easy games within the Pacific Division. It is the most balanced division in the NBA, and any team can come out on top by the end of the year. Last season, the Lakers (5th in the division) were just five games behind the Kings (1st in the division).

Heading into the 2023-24 NBA season, here is how we predict the Pacific Division will pan out:

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Jun 4, 2021; Dallas, Texas, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) celebrates with guard Paul George (13) during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Mavericks during game six in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

5. Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers are one of the most challenging teams to evaluate in the league, solely based on their health. Led by superstars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, the Clippers have the talent to compete for a championship. 

With a top-heavy roster, the Clippers are built for the playoffs. This is not a team that will win 55 regular season games, but they are a threat to any team in a seven-game series. 

With the new CBA "resting" rules, the Clippers will be forced to play their star duo in any game where they are healthy. This rule will help the team win more regular season games, but the wear down of injury-prone stars is not what a team with championship hopes wants.

If the Clippers can get 70+ games out of both Leonard and George, then this season could be a lot better for Los Angeles.

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Oct 7, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after a teammate scores on a free-throw against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Chase Center.  / John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

4. Golden State Warriors

The Warriors have won four NBA Finals in the last nine seasons, but are they starting to slow down? The short answer is no. Led by a 35-year-old Stephen Curry, the Warriors continue to impress. 

After winning the 2021 NBA Finals, the Warriors followed up with a second-round playoff appearance, but Curry seems to have less help than he used to.

The Warriors made one of the most significant moves in the 2023 NBA off-season: Acquiring 12-time All-Star Chris Paul. The 38-year-old point guard might be well past his prime, but he can still find a way to help this Golden State squad looking to make another championship run.

With a questionable second unit, the Warriors are unlikely to have an impressive regular season, but they might be in good shape for a deep playoff run.

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Mar 27, 2023; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox (5) dribbles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the fourth quarter at the Golden 1 Center.  / Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

3. Sacramento Kings

Coming off their best season in almost two decades, the Kings are set to make more noise around the league. Led by the All-NBA duo of De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, the Kings have set themselves up for more success.

With reigning Coach of the Year Mike Brown and associate head coach Jordi Fernandez on their bench, the Kings are possibly the best-coached team in the league. 

Off-season additions of reigning EuroLeague MVP Sasha Vezenkov and veteran big man JaVale McGee could be keys to building a championship-contending squad. Sacramento is one of the deeper teams in the Western Conference and is built for regular-season success, barring injuries. 

While Fox has already had his breakout season, the young guard is still hungry for more and is taking the league by storm. The Kings are now a team the rest of the NBA has to watch for, but their inexperience might get the best of them.

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May 2, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) stands next to forward Anthony Davis (3) during the playing of the national anthem before game one of the 2023 NBA playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center.  / Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

2. Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers are coming off a WCF appearance, but with an impressive 2023 off-season, they seem hungry for more. Superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis make up one of the most talented duos in NBA history and already have one championship to show for it.

Off-season additions of Christian Wood, Gabe Vincent, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Cam Reddish, and Taurean Prince show the Lakers spent the summer finding valuable depth pieces.

They have the star power and the depth to make a run for another championship, but it all falls back onto a 38-year-old LeBron. If James stays healthy enough to play 70+ games, this L.A. squad could earn the first seed in the Western Conference.

After finishing last in the division in the 2022-23 season, the Lakers are in a prime position to bounce back and have a strong regular season.

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Apr 18, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) with forward Kevin Durant (35) against the Los Angeles Clippers in the second half during game two of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Footprint Center / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

1. Phoenix Suns

After a busy 2023 off-season, the Suns are ready to make some noise with their new-look squad. Three-time All-Star Bradley Beal forms a new big three in Phoenix, as he is paired with All-NBA talents Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.

The Suns also did a center swap, acquiring Jusuf Nurkić from the Portland Trail Blazers and shipping out Deandre Ayton. With newly-added depth pieces like Bol Bol, Eric Gordon, Drew Eubanks, Yuta Watanabe, Grayson Allen, and Keon Johnson, Phoenix is gearing up for an impressive regular season, as well as an NBA Finals run. 

Phoenix finished first in the division two of the last three years, but hiring HC Frank Vogel is a wildcard that might unexpectedly switch things up.

The Suns have a deep roster with potentially the best starting lineup in the league, as there is no reason this team cannot win 50+ games and come out on top of the division and potentially the Western Conference.

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