SAN FRANCISCO >> The new-look Los Angeles Lakers handed the Warriors a 109-103 loss on Saturday night and an ugly reminder of what’s to come.

The Lakers were without LeBron James. But the team playing its first game with its newest additions — Jarred Vanderbilt, D’Angelo Russell and Malik Beasely among them — looked like a much more formidable foe than before the deadline. They played a tight defense funneling Golden State’s small ball lineups into seven-foot Anthony Davis in the paint and at least posed more of a threat from 3 with Russell in tow despite shooting 8-for-25.

The same kind of spark the Warriors’ needed was seated next to general manager Bob Myers and assistant Mike Dunleavy Jr. exiled, watching disguised in all black from the luxury seats. They could have used Gary Payton II’s defense and ability to drive to the rim. But the Warriors’ trade for him is still in limbo after a failed physical.

Instead, they’re 28-28 — back at .500 for the 15th time this season — trying desperately to escape mediocrity while their toughest conference opponents added the pieces to pull away.

“KD (Kevin Durant) to the Suns was a pretty big deal, as well as Kyrie (Irving) to Dallas.” Jordan Poole said. “New teams, new scouting reports. We have to get used to it pretty fast and it’s pretty stacked. But that’s the beauty of the game, to be honest. You want to play at the highest level against some of the best players.”

On his podcast, Draymond Green admitted that he wouldn’t be surprised to see the Suns emerge as the new favorites to win the West with the addition of Kevin Durant to a starting lineup with Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton. The Warriors play Phoenix next on March 13.

“When you do have a window in this league, you have to go all-in if you expect to maximize that window. You also don’t know how often those windows are going to come around,” Green said. “Are the Suns favorites in the West now? On paper they have to be favorites in the West. But the Dubs are still in the West and it’s the Dubs invitational until further notice.”

Irving’s new alliance with Luca Doncic gives the former Nets guard a new advantage as a spot-up scorer next to Doncic’s passing and scoring. While Durant is more likely to find his own shot next to Irving, Doncic will be looking for Irving more to score.

“I don’t love it,” Green said. “The reason I don’t love it? That’s very hard to stop. Very hard to stop. Kyrie Irving is one of the best scorers we’ve seen. One of the best, if not the best ball handlers we’ve seen … But Kyrie can spot-shoot. And, Luka, as we know, is finding you. So I don’t love it from that standpoint. Not (that) I don’t love the trade, I don’t love it because, from an offensive standpoint, that’s going to be tough tough tough to guard.”

If the Payton trade goes through, the Warriors gain some advantage over their revamped competitors. Payton alone strengthens the potency of their defense and already has the veterans and coaches’ trust to close games — which is crucial come the playoff push.

But for now, the mediocre Warriors must sit back and watch their rivals thrive.