Top 5 teams that could push for the #1 seed in the Western Conference in the 2021-22 NBA season

In the last two NBA seasons, the Western Conference was touted as a two-horse race between the LA Lakers and the LA Clippers. However, the city rivals did not meet in the NBA Playoffs on both occasions, and it was the Utah Jazz who took the best regular-season record in the West last year.

Now, the LA Lakers have revamped their roster and are looking like the favorites to dominate the West in the 2021-22 NBA season. They were favorites in the 2019-20 season too, when they won the title, and were also heavily favored last year before injuries hindered Frank Vogel's team.

The LA Clippers will probably take a step back next season, as Kawhi Leonard might be out for the entire season after recovering from a knee injury sustained in the 2021 NBA Playoffs.

Nevertheless, there is unlikely to be a dearth in competition in the West. Teams like the Utah Jazz and the Phoenix Suns, who were 1-2 during last year's regular season, could remain among the best teams in the West next year as well.

The pecking order behind the LA Lakers could be interesting next season, with a few other young teams possibly evolving into elite squads. On that note, here are the five teams that could battle for the top spot in the Western Conference in the 2021-22 NBA season.

Without further ado, let's get started:

#5 Golden State Warriors

Stephen Curry (#30) of the Golden State Warriors.

With the LA Clippers and the Denver Nuggets missing key players for a considerable time during the 2021-22 NBA regular season, other teams might be able to impress during the upcoming campaign.

The Golden State Warriors and Stephen Curry are one of those teams. After missing the NBA Playoffs the last two seasons, Golden State could be back if Klay Thompson returns fully healthy and early enough.

Moreover, the team ended last year's regular season strongly, with eight wins in their last ten games, which could continue at the start of the upcoming campaign. The Warriors could still find some decent pieces for the upcoming season, as they're reportedly in the mix for Ben Simmons.

#4 Dallas Mavericks

Luka Doncic (#77) of Team Slovenia during the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

A new era will start for the Dallas Mavericks with Jason Kidd as the new head coach. With Luka Doncic in the team, there is a lot to be achieved by the Dallas Mavericks in the upcoming years in the NBA.

Last year, the team struggled with consistency throughout the regular season, both on the court and with injuries and health and safety protocols off it. Eventually, Doncic led the Mavericks to the fifth seed in the Western Conference with a 42-30 record.

In the 2021-22 NBA campaign, Doncic could take another huge step in his game, and the Mavs could be strong in the Western Conference as long as Doncic's teammates can perform well.

They retained Tim Hardaway Jr. and Boban Marjanovic while signing sniper Sterling Brown and Reggie Bullock. Brown, meanwhile, made 42.3% of his three-pointers last year with the Houston Rockets, attempting 4.2 per game; he's a career 37% shooter from the three.

Bullock is also coming off a good year, averaging 10.9 points per game in 64 starts with the New York Knicks while making 41% from the three (he made 163 three pointers).

#3 Utah Jazz

Donovan Mitchell (#45) of the Utah Jazz dribbles the ball.

The Utah Jazz had an excellent 2020-21 NBA regular season, so the team should be ready to do something similar this campaign, as they kept the main pieces from last year. Donovan Mitchell should be even better than he's already been in his NBA career, while Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert and Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson remain with the team.

Moreover, the team made a key move in the 2021 NBA Free Agency, signing Mike Conley on a three-year, $68-million deal to return to the Utah Jazz. Conley was huge for the team last year, securing the first All-Star appearance of his NBA career.

Last season, Quin Snyder's team had the third-best Offensive Rating and fourth-best Defensive Rating in the NBA, along with the best Net Rating in the league. If they can keep that consistency at both ends of the floor, the 2021-22 regular season could be a successful one again.

#2 Phoenix Suns

Chris Paul (#3) and Deandre Ayton (#22) of the Phoenix Suns.

The Phoenix Suns represented the Western Conference in the 2021 NBA Finals, and the young core could be even better next year. Moreover, bringing Chris Paul back to leading the team from the point guard position, albeit under a huge contract for a 36-year-old, was a good, essential decision to make for GM James Jones.

The team fell short in the 2021 NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks, but were also lucky with rivals suffering key injuries. Of course, the Phoenix Suns also faced some issues, as Chris Paul ran into trouble a couple of times during the postseason with shoulder issues and the league's health and safety protocols.

Suns have now accomplished all of the following so far:- Landry Shamet trade- Chris Paul 4-year, $120 million extension- Cam Payne 3-year, $19 million deal- JaVale McGee 1-year, $5 millionA perfect offseason unfolding fight now for Phoenix.
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) August 3, 2021

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Moreover, the Phoenix Suns' depth was compromised by Dario Saric's injury in the NBA Finals. For next year, Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton will again be leading the team, with Booker and Ayton likely to improve and play at a higher level than they did last year.

The Suns had a 51-21 record last year, finishing second in the West. They could be gearing up for the upcoming regular season and looking to fare better in 2021-22.

Along with the main core, the Suns also added key pieces, such as backup center JaVale McGee, playmaker Elfrid Payton and Landry Shamet. They also signed Cameron Payne to return to the team as a backup point guard after he had a great year with Phoenix last season.

#1 LA Lakers

The 2020 NBA champions, LA Lakers, changed their roster for the 2021-22 NBA season, trading a package that included Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Montrezl Harrell to the Washington Wizards for Russell Westbrook.

The former MVP will now be playing point guard for the LA Lakers, presenting an interesting dynamic. If the team can figure out how to successfully incorporate Westbrook's game with LeBron James and Anthony Davis', it could be a great season for the Lakers.

Moreover, the team brought Dwight Howard back after a year with the Philadelphia 76ers, signed veteran Carmelo Anthony and added Kendrick Nunn, Wayne Ellington, Kent Bazemore and Malik Monk to the mix. The team also re-signed Talen Horton-Tucker, and are ready to fight in the regular season.

Of course, given how tough the 2020-21 NBA regular season was for the LA Lakers due to injuries to their superstars, the Lakers could utilize the regular season to get ready for the Playoffs and not care much about the seeding places, which could open up opportunities for other teams.