I wanted to wait until Harden was traded, but that may not happen soon. So here are my predictions (22-12), in color clustered teams.
Eastern Conference
1. Milwaukee Bucks
2. Brooklyn Nets
3. Miami Heat
4. Toronto Raptors
5. Philadelphia 76'ers
6. Indiana Pacers
7. Boston Celtics
8. Atlanta Hawks
9. Washington Wizards
10. Orlando Magic
11. Chicago Bulls
12. Charlotte Hornets
13. Cleveland Cavaliers
14. New York Knicks
15. Detroit Pistons
Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Lakers
2. Utah Jazz
3. Denver Nuggets
4. Portland Trailblazers
5. Phoenix Suns
6. Dallas Mavericks
7. New Orleans Pelicans
8. Los Angeles Clippers
9. Memphis Grizzlies
10. Houston Rockets
11. Golden State Warriors
12. San Antonio Spurs
13. Sacramento Kings
14. Minnesota Timberwolves
15. Oklahoma City Thunder
Notes:
I expect a clear separation in the East between 9 good and 6 bad teams. One of five teams either Philadelphia, Indiana, Boston, Atlanta, Indiana or Washington will be the unlucky one to finish 9th (although there are play-ins this year). Brooklyn could challenge for the top seed with Milwaukee perhaps.
As you can see I have high expectations for the Utah Jazz this season. I'm confident that LA Lakers, Utah, Denver, Portland and Dallas will surely make the playoffs. After that it's a big dogfight. Even the Clippers will struggle to make the playoffs spots.
Due to various reasons one by one teams will fall past the mid-season: Minnesota (roster construction), Sacramento (coaching), San Antonio (age), Houston (chemistry), Golden State (depth) and finally Memphis (experience).