On Friday, we explored whether the Clippers, Lakers, or Warriors look like the favorites to win the Pacific Division in 2019/20. However, the Pacific isn’t the only Western Conference division that figures to be hotly contested.
Over in the Northwest, four of five teams made the postseason in 2018/19, with Denver (54-28) edging out Portland (53-29), Utah (50-32), and Oklahoma City (49-33) for the division crown.
Heading into next season, the Thunder appear likely to take a step back. That’s not a certainty, since there’s still plenty of talent on the roster, but losing Paul George and Russell Westbrook will hurt. They’re a long shot to win the Northwest, and so are the Timberwolves, the only Northwest team to miss the playoffs last season. With Jimmy Butler long gone, the ’19/20 season should be a little more smooth and drama-free in Minnesota, but the team is still a ways off from legit contention.
That leaves three teams that look like strong contenders to win the division next season, led by the Nuggets. After finishing atop the Northwest this spring, the Nuggets retained all their key contributors and added a couple more intriguing pieces. Jerami Grant was acquired in a trade with Oklahoma City and projects to be a go-to frontcourt option. Denver is also optimistic that 2018 lottery pick Michael Porter will be healthy and ready to claim a spot in the rotation in his sophomore season.
Of course, in the Western Semifinals, the Nuggets fell to the Trail Blazers, who seem to be perennially underrated by oddsmakers. Portland’s over/under for the 2019/20 is just 46.5 wins, per betting site BetOnline.ag. After topping their projected win total by about 10 games last season, the Blazers will look to outperform expectations again in 2019/20, led by Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. Jusuf Nurkic won’t be ready to start the season, but Portland fortified its frontcourt by adding centers Hassan Whiteside and Pau Gasol.
Meanwhile, the Jazz might have had the best offseason of any Northwest team, having acquired standout point guard Mike Conley to join Donovan Mitchell in their backcourt. With veteran role players like Ed Davis and Jeff Green joining the mix, and Mitchell expected to take another step forward, this may be the best Utah team of the last few years, and the club hasn’t won fewer than 48 games since 2015/16.
What do you think? Which team do you expect to sit atop the Northwest Division when the regular season ends? And will that team make a deep playoff run, perhaps even reaching the NBA Finals?
Vote in our poll, then head to the comment section below to share your thoughts!
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Is it time for every team to make the playoffs and scratch the lottery? Top team in each league gets a bye and go from there.
Is ballot box stuffing in Minn going on?
Denver. Not even close, Portland & to a degree Utah are very good teams… but not at the level of the Nuggets. Minny should be close to the playoffs or thereabouts, OKC will be at the bottom of the division by quite a margin.
Not even close??? Like not even losing Game 7 in your own gym to the Blazers close??? I think you’ve been enjoying too much of that Mile High air.
OKC is easily the worst team in the division. But Utah is right up there with Denver, don’t kid yourself. Portland will struggle until they get Nurkic back, but when they do it they will be a very close 3rd to Denver and Utah. The Wolves will be battling Dallas and Sacramento for 10th place in the West right behind the Pelicans and Warriors fighting for the 8th seed.
The Sonics
Denver portland and utah imo are all top 6 seed teams. I could honestly see them all being top 4 seeds if the scenarios are right.
(Lakers and clippers not trying reg season, or injuries)
1.Denver, gap, 2.Utah, gap;
About the same: 3.Wolves (maturation), 4.Blazers (thin at forward), & 5.Thunder (looking to the future).
The T Wolves need a good PF and some depth, Blazers need depth, Jazz need to spend time together to click. The Nuggets are a top 4 team. They also added Grant, got in Bol Bol as a project and Micheal Porter Jr will be fit this year. Wouldn’t be surprised if they traded some depth for an all star level player or two. (Bradley Beal, Aaron Gordan)
Minnesota will go nowhere until Taylor sells the team they get a coach that doesn’t think he’s the best ever(thibs) and one that can actually motivate and get the players in the right place on the floor where they can contribute most. And lastly…with Wiggins here…there’s zero chance of even making the playoffs.
While I agree with most of what you said, thibs was fired last year in season.
How is it that Oklahoma City is Northwest?
Northwest of Louisiana ??
Both Wyoming and Montana are NORTH of Denver !
Minnesota may be NORTH, but it’s 3 – 4 states away from being WEST !!
Division is stout. Can Dame Dolla keep headcase Whiteside in line?