NBA: Western Conference playoff predictions

The NBA 2018/19 regular season is only a couple of weeks away, and with the offseason being fairly quiet the past month or so, fans everywhere are already beginning to wonder who's going to make up the playoff picture at the end of the season.

While there possibly are still some big moves that could shape the Western Conference standings to come, the biggest one being Jimmy Butler attempting to force himself out of the Minnesota Timberwolves through a trade, let's take a look into the 2018/19 playoff predictions.

8. New Orleans Pelicans

2017/18 record - 48 Wins, 34 Loses

New Orleans Pelicans v Golden State Warriors - Game Five

New Orleans suffered two huge losses in the offseason for the Pelicans as DeMarcus Cousins make a shocking move to the Golden State Warriors and veteran point guard Rajon Rondo made his way to the Lakers.

The Pelicans will look to fight out for the last two playoff positions along with three or four other sides, the main edge for New Orleans is one of the front-runners for next season's MVP award in Anthony Davis.

Davis has shown he can take an average-at-best team to a playoff berth before and with a normal supporting cast going into this season, it should be enough to make the top eight in a strong Western Conference, although they most likely will not be challenging reigning champions Golden State come June.

7. Portland Trail Blazers

2017/18 record - 49 Wins, 33 Losses

The Portland Trail Blazers exceeded everybody's expectations of them by securing the third seed in the West last season, but they were also only three games off missing the playoffs altogether.

A dynamic backcourt pairing of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum will make the Blazers an above average regular season team but questions have been asked time and time again whether or not they can make any sort of a playoff run.

Being swept by the sixth-seeded Pelicans last season. Many wonder how much longer they will attempt to challenge with this backcourt or try to reshuffle the roster and move on one of their deadly guards.

6. Oklahoma City Thunder

2017/18 record - 48 Wins, 34 Losses

Oklahoma City Thunder v Charlotte Hornets

OKC did what they set out to do with ease this offseason, resigning Paul George on the first day of free agency, and also finding an avenue to offload Carmelo Anthony and his horrible contract.

When fit, OKC look to be one of the few challenges to the Golden State dynasty this season, the only problem is they have already been struck down by the injury curse before the season has gotten underway.

Westbrook underwent a minor knee surgery which has kept him out of all preseason matches and it is yet to be known if he will be fit come opening night. The big loss though lies with Andre Roberson, who has been hit with another injury setback that will see him miss months of the season.

With Roberson at the two guard position, last season OKC had one of the best defences in the league, without him they were barely average.

While OKC are most likely one of the locks for a Western Conference playoff position, if their two guards did not suffer injuries, and the foreseeable slow start this will give them, they most likely would be a lot higher on this list.

5. Utah Jazz

2017/18 record - 48 Wins, 34 Losses

The Utah Jazz surprised almost everybody as they secured the fifth seed in the West last season and then overcame the star-studded OKC in the first round of the playoffs beating them in a thrilling six-game series.

The key to Utah's success lies on two aspects, an incredibly mentally tough defence, led by current Defensive Player of the Year winner Rudy Gobert, and an offence fuelled by the dynamic Donovan Mitchell, who was without a doubt the steal of the 2017 NBA Draft as the 13th pick of the first round.

With Mitchell hopefully continuing his speedy progression as he continues to adapt and improve on the court, Utah should see their franchise in the playoff picture for many seasons to come.

4. Los Angeles Lakers

2017/18 record - 35 Wins, 47 Losses

Los Angeles Clippers v Los Angeles Lakers

The only team on this list that failed to make the playoffs last season, it should be no surprise to see the Lakers improve off a poor season last time out as they acquired the biggest free agent possible in landing LeBron James this offseason.

Many suspect a big improvement from the Lakers this season as LeBron looks for success in his first season in the Western Conference in his long career.

Although a key part of the Lakers success, James will not be without help this season, Brandon Ingram looks to be set for another great improvement this season as he will no doubt be mentored by LeBron and continue to grow into the superstar many hope he will become.

The Lakers most likely won't be ready to take on the dynasty in Golden State just yet this season, but an exciting playoff run may be what it takes to secure that extra superstar next season in the offseason.

3. San Antonio Spurs

2017/18 record - 47 Wins, 35 Losses

San Antonio Spurs v Golden State Warriors - Game Five

A tough 2017/18 season for the Spurs, many believe the Popovich era is finally over, writing them off for the season to come as drama within the club saw superstar Kawhi Leonard leave to Toronto.

While trading anyone for Kawhi Leonard bar a handful is undoubtedly a downgrade, considering he only played a total of nine games for the San Antonio Spurs last season before missing the majority of the regular season and all of the playoffs with a thigh injury, picking up multiple time All-Star DeMar DeRozan will most likely improve the team from what they were for the most part of last year.

A new era dawns for the Spurs with both Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili off the roster for the first time in what seems like forever, but with All-Stars LaMarcus Aldridge and DeRozan leading the front along with veteran Pau Gasol, it would be hard to keep a Popovich side out of the playoffs this season.

2. Houston Rockets

2017/18 record - 65 Wins, 17 Losses

Houston Rockets v Golden State Warriors - Game Three

Last season, the Houston Rockets looked to have the Golden State Warriors figured out, leading the Western Conference Finals 3-2 with home court advantage. Sadly it was not the fairytale ending Rockets fans dreamed off as another Chris Paul injury saw Houston derailed and losing the series in seven at home.

Houston look to have taken a step back this year, being forced to pay big money to Paul and Capela meant they had to offload some of their depth that helped them become and top team on both sides of the floor, not just offensively.

With the likes of Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute leaving and Carmelo Anthony being signed, it's not hard to see why fans will question how they will go as a defensive side when coming up against other championship contenders this year.

While it is hard to see them repeating last season's incredible feats, and even harder to see them topping it, Chris Paul and reigning MVP James Harden along with big man Clint Capela are too talented to not make a top seed once again in the West.

1. Golden State Warriors

2017/18 record - 58 Wins, 24 Losses

There is more than a good chance the Warriors will complete the prestigious three-peat this season, anyone who would bet against them is most likely lying to themselves.

A seemingly perfect team just got better. For the years of the dynasty, teams looked to expose the lack of top quality at the centre position for the Warriors, but now, with the free-agent signing of one of the top centres of the league, DeMarcus Cousins, there will be no stopping this offensive juggernaut from scoring at any position on the court.

Bar mass injury or huge mental lapses, there will be very little stopping the Golden State Warriors from reaching the top seed in the Western Conference and achieving their fourth title in five years.