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Ranking the LA Clippers’ toughest Western Conference opponents

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 04: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles past JaMychal Green #4 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 04, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 113-105. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 04: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles past JaMychal Green #4 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 04, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 113-105. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 21: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans fight for position during a game on December 21, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 21: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans fight for position during a game on December 21, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

No. 1: Los Angeles Lakers

If everything goes according to plan for both squads next season, the LA Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers will finish No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in the Western Conference standings. Both will be targeting the top spot, but as it stands, the Clippers should have the edge there.

The Lakers still need to finish building their roster before they can start hoping to make an appearance in the Western Conference Finals or NBA Finals, though. After Kawhi Leonard’s decision was announced on Friday night, the Lakers moved quickly to sign Leonard’s former teammate, Danny Green, to a two-year deal worth $30 million. The Lakers also re-signed guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and center JaVale McGee in a flurry of moves on Friday night that carried into Saturday morning. Quinn Cook has also signed with the Lakers as well.

As it stands, the Lakers are without a starting point guard — meaning we may see LeBron James run the position for some time during the season. Otherwise, the Lakers may bring back Rajon Rondo.

If the Lakers can put together a competent roster around James and Anthony Davis, they’ll be right up there with the rest of the West’s giants. If not, their superstar duo should go toe-to-toe with that of the Clippers.

The 2019-2020 season may seem like a long way off, but we’ll have preseason basketball starting in roughly three months. The wait to watch Kawhi Leonard and Paul George play together will feel like forever, but we’ll get to see them team up soon enough.

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