NBA 2021-22 Season Pacific Division Preview

NBA basketball is right around the corner, which means time to make some money on the hardwood. The NBA will tip-off on October 19 with two games. The Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks, and the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers will get the 2021-22 season underway.

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At No. 2… the pinpoint pass from @CJC9BOSS and the game-winning flush from @DeandreAyton… The VALLEY-OOP! pic.twitter.com/x7v3a4ThIo

— NBA (@NBA) September 18, 2021

I will take the Warriors and the Lakers over a predictable matchup between the Clippers and Lakers, yawn. I’m more excited about the rematch between the Nets and Bucks anyway. The Bucks will raise their championship banner and have a party in Milwaukee. Opposite the Bucks will be a team that was a foot away from potentially beating them in the playoffs.

In a division that is going to have the most attention, we will get started by previewing the Pacific Division. As much as people don’t like the Lakers or Clippers, or even the Warriors, get ready to hear about the Pacific out west regularly. It’s likely going to get even more crowded with the return of Klay Thompson, hopefully, to Golden State at some point this season.

With the Phoenix Suns a major threat now, the LA teams, and Golden State getting Thompson back in the lineup? That is some quality basketball whether you like hearing about these teams or not. I’m excited to see how things play out, and don’t be surprised if the 2021-22 NBA Champion comes from the Pacific. Head below for our free Pacific Division preview and predictions for the 2021-22 season.

• Where To Bet On The NBA in 2021

Los Angeles Lakers

Notable Additions:

• Russell Westbrook
• Carmelo Anthony
• Dwight Howard
• Rajon Rondo
• Trevor Ariza
• Kent Bazmore
• Wayne Ellington

Notable Departures:

• Kyle Kuzma
• Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
• Alex Caruso
• Marc Gasol
• Dennis Schroder
• Montrezl Harrell
• Jared Dudley
• Markieff Morris

The Los Angeles Lakers disappointed last season with a record of 43-30. I don’t know if disappointed is really the right word given the injury situation to Lebron James and Anthony Davis. If it wasn’t James, then it was AD banged up. For a chunk of the year, the Lakers were without the services of Lebron and AD.

In what looked like a hangover from their championship in the Disney bubble, the Lakers failed to look in sync even when everyone was on the floor. The constant different lineup on a week-to-week basis had to play a role in the chemistry problems for the Lakers.

🏕🔜 pic.twitter.com/w8Xs82uuYg

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) September 18, 2021

They ultimately made it in the playoffs as a No. 7 seed and avoided the play-in. However, the young and hungry Suns bounced the Lakers in six games. How does a team handle not winning a back-to-back championship? In the case of the Lakers, Lebron just goes out and recruits more firepower.

The stacked Lakers have added Russell Westbrook to a roster that has Lebron and AD. As we’ve come to find out, this doesn’t necessarily equate to a championship. The Nets have their Big 3 in Brooklyn, but that didn’t work because of injuries.

If that isn’t enough, the Lakers added a terrific depth piece in Carmelo Anthony. There’s also Rajon Rondo, and then Dwight Howard making another stint with the Lake Show. You want more? Okay, DeAndre Jordan and Kent Bazemore gives the Lakers depth. There are no excuses this season. This is my pick to win the Pacific Division. Stay healthy and they should win.

The following odds are courtesy of BetOnline:

Phoenix Suns

Notable Additions:

• Chandler Hutchison
• JaVale McGee
• Landry Shamet

Notable Departures:

• Jevon Carter
• E’Twaun Moore
• Torrey Craig

The Phoenix Suns won the Pacific Division last season with a record of 51-21. They won rather comfortably by four games over the LA Clippers, and went all the way to the Finals. That wasn’t how the division was expected to play out, but it was well deserved by a team led by one of the finest players in the NBA.

Devin Booker averaged 25.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game in a season to remember for the Suns. Booker has been a tremendous player since his sophomore campaign in 2016. It was clear that he was going to be a star in the league.

The only problem for Booker was that he didn’t have a defense around him. There was no help for a solid offense that could score points. The NBA is a high-scoring league now, but even they couldn’t be a postseason team with the defense they were putting on the floor.

Chris Paul making ’em dance 💼@CP3‘s top-10 handles of the season! #NBAHandlesWeek pic.twitter.com/wGey7uPASa

— NBA (@NBA) September 1, 2021

Phoenix allowed 116.8 points per game in the 2018-19 season. That was a disastrous defense and was responsible for the Suns finishing dead last in the Western Conference. Two years later and the Suns conceded only 109.5 points per game for one of the best units in the NBA.

The Suns didn’t make any significant moves in the offseason, but still have their roster in-tact. Chris Paul, Deandre Ayton, and Booker are all returning to the desert in an attempt to return to the NBA Finals.

The following odds are courtesy of BetOnline:

Golden State Warriors

Notable Additions:

• Andre Iguodala

Notable Departures:

• Kelly Oubre

The Golden State Warriors are confident that they can return to business in the 2021-22 season. Much of this confidence comes from the return of Klay Thompson to the lineup. Thompson missed all of last season after a serious knee injury in the playoffs, a series his team ultimately lost to the Toronto Raptors in the NBA Finals.

Steph Curry averaged 32 PPG last season to lead the NBA 👨‍🍳 pic.twitter.com/YiXxgpzy82

— NBA UK (@NBAUK) September 16, 2021

The Warriors went 39-33 for fourth in the Pacific Division. They looked great in spots, but something was amiss for Golden State. Andrew Wiggins stepped up in a secondary role next to Steph Curry, but the presence of Thompson left a big hole on the floor. Get a healthy Thompson back on the Warriors and a lot is going to change for the better in the Bay Area.

There’s a big problem with that, though. While Klay is closer to a return, we still have no timetable. The Warriors would be making a guess if they were going to put out a timetable. He is expected to complete controlled drills in training camp. That suggests good progress, but Golden State needs his presence on the floor in the regular season.

The rest of the key pieces of the roster remain together, but Kelly Oubre is out for the Charlotte Hornets. In for another stint with Golden State is wily veteran Andre Iguodala. The Warriors are of course a good team with a healthy Steph Curry. However, to be competitive with the Lakers and Suns, Klay must be active. I don’t think it’s any secret what has to happen for the Warriors to be successful in 2021-22.

The following odds are courtesy of BetOnline

Los Angeles Clippers

Notable Additions:

• Eric Bledsoe

Notable Departures:

• Patrick Berverley
• Demarcus Cousins
• Rajon Rondo
• Patrick Patterson

If there’s one team where the odds are going to jump off the page at you in the Pacific, it’s going to be the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers are getting no respect to win the division at +1200. I think that might be a bit crazy, and presents some value, but it’s going to be tough for the Clippers to get this done.

Especially with the Lakers getting better this offseason, Steve Ballmer may not be too happy with what he sees in 2021-22. May not be happy as in failing to go to the NBA Finals. When they made the blockbuster Kawhi Leonard signing, and then monster deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder for Paul George, it was championship or bust for the Clippers.

No. 10: OH MY GOODNESS.@kawhileonard | #BESTofNBA pic.twitter.com/aut551t8Pi

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) September 18, 2021

You don’t trade away your future just to make the playoffs and be alright. The Clippers have had a long history of flopping. This was meant to finally put them over the top and into contention. Kawhi still has it, but he’s getting older and his knees aren’t what they used to be. They also lost talent in free agency, and didn’t replace them with much. Patrick Beverley’s exit has to sting the most.

Leonard is going to be absent until at least midseason for the Clippers. The hope is that PG13 can keep the team afloat and within striking distance for when Leonard comes back. Can we expect Leonard to just jump right back in and play in top form? It might take him a while to shake the rust off.

His injury is a nightmare scenario for Ballmer, who spent a lot of money to win a championship. Offseason signing Eric Bledsoe isn’t nearly enough to make up for the injury to his superstar. After going 47-25 and finishing four games behind the Suns a season ago, it’s likely another year looking from behind in the Pacific Division.

The following odds are courtesy of BetOnline:

Sacramento Kings

Notable Additions:

• Alex Len
• Tristan Thompson
• Davion Mitchell

Notable Departures:

• Delon Wright
• Hassan Whiteside

Can the Sacramento Kings receive a transfer and go to another division? This reminds me of the NL West in Major League Baseball where the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks have no hope in an ultra tough division.

The Kings have some talented players on their roster, but it just doesn’t click properly. The cupboard isn’t completely empty for the Kings. They went 31-41 last season, and the only team in the Pacific that had a point differential in the negative.

Their defense ranked as one of the worst in the league with 117.4 points against per game. Only the Washington Wizards gave up more points than the Kings last season. The addition of Tristan Thompson should help shore up the paint, but they’re still going to give up points in bunches.

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It’s no wonder 🦊 was ranked among the league’s most efficient point guards last season pic.twitter.com/dOT5EmdGM9

— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) September 22, 2021

In any case, the Kings should still be a fun team to watch with Buddy Hield and Tyrese Haliburton. De’Aaron Fox and Richaun Holmes are two fairly underrated players as well. The progress of 21-year-old Haliburton has to be the focus for the Kings this season.

He has the potential to be the Most Improved Player in the NBA after scoring 13 points and 5.3 assists per game, primarily in a bench role. The Kings have to find a way to get him more involved because the sky’s the limit for the sophomore. This team isn’t ready to compete with the giants of the Pacific, but should be good for an upset here and there.

The following odds are courtesy of BetOnline: