The 2024-25 Western Conference is shaping up to be as competitive as ever, making the race for a top-eight playoff spot a fierce battle. Despite the presence of superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Los Angeles Lakers are far from guaranteed a playoff berth. In fact, their postseason prospects are anything but certain.
Looking around the conference, even the teams projected to finish near the bottom, like Portland and Utah, have reasons for optimism. The Jazz, for instance, boast Lauri Markkanen and a collection of promising young players. San Antonio might not be a lock for the playoffs, but with Victor Wembanyama leading a youthful squad, many believe they could push for a play-in spot. Houston, with its depth and emerging talents, is in a similar situation, adding to the conference’s overall competitiveness.
Meanwhile, the Clippers will be without Paul George, but they still have Kawhi Leonard and James Harden to keep them in the hunt. Teams like Phoenix, Sacramento, New Orleans, a fully fit Memphis squad, Golden State, Dallas, and Minnesota all have legitimate playoff aspirations. Then, of course, there are the conference’s powerhouses: Denver and Oklahoma City, both of whom appear to be the teams to beat in the West.
In this crowded and talented field, the Lakers’ playoff hopes appear precarious.
Although the team has a stockpile of first-round picks and tradeable assets, the core roster has remained largely unchanged. They brought in backup center Christian Koloko through free agency and drafted Dalton Knecht, who has shown early signs of being a steal. But the question remains: will these additions be enough to elevate the Lakers into the playoff picture?
The situation is further complicated by a range of other uncertainties. Can LeBron, approaching 40, stay healthy and continue to shoulder the load? Will Anthony Davis manage to avoid the injuries that have plagued him year after year? Could the presence of Bronny James create more distractions than benefits? And, perhaps most crucially, how will JJ Redick, a rookie head coach with no prior experience on the sidelines, handle the pressure of leading a high-profile team like the Lakers?
As always with the Lakers, there’s sure to be no shortage of drama. Whether that translates into success or another year of disappointment is anyone’s guess, but one thing is certain: the battle for playoff spots in the Western Conference is going to be intense, and the Lakers have their work cut out for them.
