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

#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

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

LA Lakers introduce Russell Westbrook.

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.

---

You may also like: The Draymond Green and Kevin Durant interview: What it means for the Golden State Warriors and the NBA.