Pacific Division: Offseason recap and a look ahead to the 2026-27 season

Pacific Division

Warriors

|

Clippers

Lakers

Suns

Kings

LeBron James is gone, so what does that mean for the Lakers and their hold on the division? The surging Suns re-signed some crucial players to make another bold attempt at making a big leap, while the Warriors hope first-round pick and summer league standout Yaxel Lendeborg will supply a youthful jolt.

Golden State Warriors

No. 11 overall pick Yaxel Lendeborg was named the 2026 NBA Summer League MVP

A season-ending injury suffered by Jimmy Butler proved understandably costly to the Warriors, who finished 37-45 and qualified for the play-in tournament despite another solid season by Stephen Curry.

Offseason Moves

• Additions

: F Yaxel Lendeborg, F Georges Niang, G Brandon Williams

•

Subtractions

: G Seth Curry, C Quinten Post, G Pat Spencer

2026-27 season outlook

The Warriors are anxious to return to the circle of contenders and hope to maximize the remaining peak years of Curry, but this process is never easy, especially when the team was unable to add much veteran help in the offseason.

That said,

Lendeborg is the closest thing

to that. He’s a 23-year-old rookie with championship experience — from the college ranks, at Michigan — and brings a solid amount of skill and personality to a team that could use a new infusion.

If Butler rebounds from knee surgery and the Warriors get an All-NBA level performance from Curry, then the postseason, at least, is definitely in the mix.

LA Clippers

Keaton Wagler was selected No. 5 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft

With Kawhi Leonard at his healthiest in years, the Clippers went 42-40 and reached the play-in tournament.

: F Johni Broome, G Gradey Dick, F Rui Hachimura, F Brandon Ingram, F Nick Martinelli, F Baba Miller, G Max Strus, G Keaton Wagler

: G Nicolas Batum,

G Bogdan Bogdanović, F John Collins, F Kawhi Leonard, G Bennedict Mathurin

The Clippers appear ready to turn a page and launch a next-up era, which began when they sent Leonard to the Raptors and selected Wagler with their first-round pick. He was a star at Illinois and showed the skillset that should be transferable to the NBA, which is always tricky for any player, let alone a combo guard.

As insurance, the Clippers also added Ingram, Hachimura and Strus. The trick is to make the playoffs, though, and that’ll be tricky in the West once again, because the conference is not only top heavy, but at least a half-dozen other teams appear improved.

At least the Clippers will have a full season with Darius Garland and to see how he meshes with Wagler. If nothing else, that backcourt can and should provide energy and symbolize a new, long-term direction for the franchise.

Los Angeles Lakers

6-time All-Star Luka Dončić averaged 33.5 points and 8.3 assists across 64 games last season

The Lakers managed to assemble a very respectable season despite losing Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves for injury stretches, finished 53-29 and advanced to the second round of the postseason.

Additions

: G Cameron Carr, G Quentin Grimes, G Jaden Hardy, C Walker Kessler, F Kevon Looney, F Sandro Mamukelashvili, G Collin Sexton, G Matisse Thybulle, F Ziaire Williams

: C Deandre Ayton, F Rui Hachimura, C Jaxson Hayes, F LeBron James, G Luke Kennard, F Maxi Kleber, G Marcus Smart, G Nick Smith Jr.

The expected transition from Luka to LeBron will officially launch this season, and for the umpteenth time in franchise history, the Lakers maintain a superstar. Luka, all by his lonesome, is enough to give the team juice and multiple prime-time TV appearances and keep it in contention for the postseason.

The key for the Lakers, of course, is the surrounding cast, especially Reaves and Kessler. Both cashed in over the summer with considerable contract extensions, Kessler through a sign-and-trade with Utah. Should Kessler stay healthy, the Lakers will have a center with soft hands to catch passes from Luka and firm hands for shot blocking and rebounding.

That, and maybe a contribution from Sexton, should keep the Lakers in the West mix.

Phoenix Suns

Dillon Brooks averaged 20.2 points per game during his first season with the Suns

It’s possible the Suns were the most pleasant surprise in the NBA, flourishing far better than projections, finishing 45-37 and reaching the playoffs despite losing Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.

: F Miles Bridges, G Luke Kennard, F Koa Peat

• Subtractions

: G Grayson Allen, G Amir Coffey, F Royce O’Neale

The transformation of the Suns started quickly and solidly and shows no sign of reversal. Under the guidance of GM Brian Gregory and coach Jordan Ott, who arrived as part of the housecleaning last season, the Suns made key decisions this summer that should only help the process and make them a playoff contender again.

They gave extensions to Dillon Brooks, Collin Gillespie, Mark Williams and Jordan Goodwin — all coming off career years. Those players are locked up for the immediate future, which suggests they’ll be around for Devin Booker’s remaining prime years.

But the Suns also added key pieces as well, starting with Bridges, a certified 20-point scorer, and Kennard, an efficient 3-point shooter replacing Allen. And finally, Peat brings muscle to the front line and should see time as a rookie.

Sacramento Kings

Zach LaVine averaged 19.2 points for the Kings last season

The Kings endured a rough stretch as they attempted to discover a new identity and team leadership. They finished 22-60 and did not qualify for the postseason.

: G Darius Acuff Jr., F Alex Karaban, G Emanuel Sharp, G Ben Simmons

: G Devin Carter, G DeMar DeRozan, F Drew Eubanks, G Killian Hayes, F Doug McDermott, G Russell Westbrook

Although a 22-win season suggested many changes would be on the immediate horizon, the Kings mostly stood pat during the off-season and apparently seem willing to wait until 2027 for more wholesale changes.

They’ll lean heavily once again on Zach LaVine for a bulk of the offense, and maybe for the final time; LaVine is entering the last year of his contract. The same goes for De’Andre Hunter, a capable two-way player who spent last season with the Cavaliers.

The biggest change was with DeRozan, whose contract wasn’t extended. What the Kings ultimately decide to do with the futures of LaVine and Domantas Sabonis will dictate the direction of this club in the approaching years.

***

Shaun Powell has covered the NBA since 1985. You can e-mail him at

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