If what the majority of NBA GMs predicted in the annual survey comes true, the Los Angeles Lakers will have to fight their way through the play-in tournament to get to the first round of the playoffs. Based on how the rest of the conference shook out, the Lakers came in at No. 7, one spot removed from securing an automatic playoff berth.
Los Angeles didn't receive any votes for first or second place, but received seven percent of the votes for a third-place finish, and another seven percent for a fourth-place finish.
The Thunder (1), Nuggets (2), Rockets (3), Timberwolves (4), Warriors (5), and Clippers (6) finished above the Lakers.