NBA season preview: Los Angeles Lakers sinking without a trace in the Pacific

The Los Angeles Lakers used to own the Pacific division. This season they not only face the prospect of finishing at the bottom of it for the second year in a row, they are another Kobe Bryant serious injury away from being the worst team in the Western Conference.

They look set to sink lower than last season's 27-win effort, which was their worst campaign percentage-wise since the 19-53 last-placed disaster in 1957-58 when they were still in Minneapolis. Utah, who have a very inexperienced line-up, look like being the only team which will rival the Lakers for mediocrity in the west this season.

The team formerly known as the Lakers' poor neighbours, the Clippers are legitimate title contenders, and should stroll to the top of the Pacific division standings. Golden State should also finish in the top four in the west. Last season's surprise packets Phoenix will be in playoff contention and even dysfunctional old Sacramento can be counted on to be more reliable than the Lakers.

Here's how the Pacific teams are lining up for season 2014-15.

Golden State (last season: 51-31)

Gains: Leandro Barbosa (Suns), Aaron Craft (rookie), Justin Holiday, Jason Kapono, Shaun Livingston (Nets), James McAdoo (rookie), Brandon Rush (Jazz).

Losses: Hilton Armstrong, Steve Blake (Trail Blazers), Jordan Crawford, Jermaine O'Neal.

New coach Steve Kerr wants to run more offence through Boomers centre Andrew Bogut - this move will be more about adding another dimension to their offence so that opposition defenders don't zone in solely on the Splash Brothers, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. This team is better than the sixth-placed finishes of the past two seasons.

Prediction: Will finish top four in west and at least win first playoff round.

LA Clippers (57-25)

Gains: Jared Cunningham (Kings), Chris Douglas-Roberts (Hornets), Jordan Farmar (Lakers), Spencer Hawes (Cavaliers), Joe Ingles (rookie), Ekpe Udoh (Bucks), CJ Wilcox (rookie).

Losses: Darren Collison (Kings), Jared Dudley (Bucks), Danny Granger (Heat), Willie Green (Magic), Ryan Hollins (Kings).

If not for Goran Dragic's breakout season for Phoenix, last season's most improved award could have easily gone to Clippers forward Blake Griffin, who went from a star with limitations to one of the best handful of players on the planet. He was third in MVP voting behind Kevin Durant and LeBron James after adding a reliable outside game to his zero-gravity work close to the hoop. His rise into the stratosphere coupled with Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan and the addition of a much-needed back-up big man in Spencer Hawes means anything less than a trip to the Western Conference finals will be a failure.

Prediction: Clippers will celebrate the end of the Donald Sterling reign of error with a trip to the Western Conference finals.

LA Lakers (27-55)

Gains: Keith Appling (rookie), Carlos Boozer (Bulls), Jordan Clarkson (rookie), Ed Davis (Grizzlies), Wayne Ellington (Mavericks), Jeremy Lin (Rockets), Ronnie Price (Magic), Julius Randle (rookie), Jeremy Tyler (Knicks).

Losses: Kent Bazemore (Hawks), MarShon Brooks, Jordan Farmar (Clippers), Pau Gasol (Bulls), Chris Kaman (Trail Blazers), Kendall Marshall (Bucks), Jodie Meeks (Pistons).

It's hard to defend a team that can't defend. Even if Kobe Bryant avoids a third consecutive season-ending injury, the support cast is brittle and one-dimensional. New recruits Carlos Boozer and Jeremy Lin are noted poor defenders who'll compound the similar deficiencies of Nick Young and Steve Nash (on the occasions he's not tethered to his walking frame). Even if they stick to their pre-season plan of scaling back on three-point attempts, they might rack up 100-plus points per game but there's no way their opponents won't average higher.

Prediction: This roster is completely overhauled before the start of next season.

Phoenix (48-34)

Gains: Earl Barron, Zoran Dragic (rookie), Tyler Ennis (rookie), Isaiah Thomas (Kings), Anthony Tolliver (Hornets), T.J. Warren (rookie).

Losses: Leandro Barbosa (Warriors), Dionte Christmas, Channing Frye (Magic), Emeka Okafor, Ish Smith (Rockets).

Under-rated to the point of disrespect last season, they nearly pulled off an unlikely playoff berth. The good news is Isaiah Thomas will give them instant offence from the bench and a healthy and well-paid Eric Bledsoe will make them more formidable. However, opposing teams will watch a lot more film before meeting Jeff Hornacek's side this year and it will be tough to make that leap into the top eight in the loaded west.

Prediction: Won't make the playoffs, might end up with a few less wins.

Sacramento (28-54)

Gains: Omri Casspi (Rockets), Darren Collison (Clippers), Ryan Hollins (Clippers), Trey Johnson, Eric Moreland (rookie), Ramon Sessions (Bucks), Nik Stauskas (rookie).

Losses: Quincy Acy (Knicks), Jared Cunningham (Clippers), Aaron Gray (Pistons), Travis Outlaw (Knicks), Willie Reed (Nets), Jason Terry (Rockets), Isaiah Thomas (Suns).

After earning his stripes with Team USA at the World Cup, Kings centre DeMarcus Cousins is reportedly ready to shed his tag as the NBA's most volatile under-achiever. He will again put up big numbers, he might break into the All Star squad but Sacramento will again hover around the 30-win mark.

Prediction: They should trade Rudy Gay. It almost instantly made Memphis and Toronto into better teams.