Here's how I see the West as of today:
Golden State, San Antonio, and Houston are in no danger of falling out of the playoffs. OKC, Memphis, and Portland should all still be fighting for spots and Dallas isn't giving up yet, either. Denver, New Orleans, and Minnesota are all primed to improve this season.
Utah and the Clippers are question marks because of their free agents this summer but if I exclude those two teams, there are still 10 teams that should easily be better than the Lakers in the West.
The only Western teams I can imagine finishing below the Lakers, right now, are Phoenix and Sacramento.
Here's hoping the can thread the needle, 2-5!