The Pacific Division is the home of the 2015 NBA Champs, the Golden State Warriors. The Dubs are given the second-most likely odds at taking the 2016 title by Vegas oddsmakers.
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green expressed he did not think the Warriors would be back intact fully, months prior to the conclusion of the 2016 season. On the verge of a major payday himself, Green doubted the team would spend the money to return its full cast.
However, the Warriors splurged to re-sign Green and continue to boast one of the league’s deepest benches. The West will again be run through the Bay Area.
The L.A. Clippers have to be considered in the equation for the same reason, with a deep bench and the league’s best young point forward in Blake Griffin. Chris Paul has been the league’s most consistent lead guard for the past decade and is still trying to bring the Clippers the franchise’s first NBA title.
The Clippers nearly parted ways with DeAndre Jordan, but a late change of heart returned the league’s premier defensive center, helping keep intact a strong core that has been knocking on the door.
The Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings are all in various stages of building, but none can be counted out as entirely without power.
The Lakers still have Kobe Bryant and No. 2 overall pick D’Angelo Russell, not to mention Julius Randle coming back from a derailed rookie season. The Kings have an intriguing team on paper and a legit coach finally in George Karl. And the Suns are still run by energizer bunnies Brandon Knight and Eric Bledsoe.
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