As the 2025-26 NBA season approaches , ESPN’s panel of insiders released their projected records for all 30 teams, forecasting contenders, play-in hopefuls, and bottom-tier finishers. Among the Western Conference field, the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors are predicted to be neck-and-neck for the final guaranteed playoff position.
ESPN projects the Lakers to finish with a 50-32 record, placing them sixth in the conference and securing the last automatic playoff berth. They are listed behind the Oklahoma City Thunder (64-18), Houston Rockets (54-28), Denver Nuggets (53-29), Minnesota Timberwolves (51-31) and LA Clippers (50-32).
Despite matching their projected record from last season, when they secured the No. 3 seed with less talent on the roster, the Lakers are s