NORTHWEST DIVISION
DENVER NUGGETS
LAST SEASON: 46-36, missed playoffs
COACH: Michael Malone (fourth season) PROJECTED STARTING
FIVE: G Gary Harris (17.5 ppg) G Jamal Murray
(16.7 ppg), F Will Barton (15.7 ppg), F Paul Millsap (14.6 ppg), C Nikola Jokic (18.5 ppg)
KEY LOSSES: F Wilson Chandler, F Kenneth Faried, F Richard Jefferson, F Darrell Arthur, G Devin Harris KEY ADDITIONS: G Isaiah Thomas, F Michael Porter Jr.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: In the offseason, Jokic signed a max contract worth around $147 million for five seasons. The Serbian standout turned in 10 triple-doubles last season. Jokic is the centerpiece for an organization trying to get to the postseason for the first time since 2012-13.
OUTLOOK: The addition of Thomas gives the Nuggets even more veteran leadership. They’re stacked, but so is the rest of the Western Division.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
LAST SEASON: 47-35, lost in first round
COACH: Tom Thibodeau (third season, eighth NBA season) PROJECTED STARTING
FIVE: G Jeff Teague (14.2 ppg), G Derrick Rose (8.4 ppg) OR Jimmy Butler (22.2 ppg), F Andrew Wiggins (17.7 ppg), F Taj Gibson (12.2 ppg), C Karl-Anthony Towns (21.3 ppg) KEY LOSSES: G Jamal Crawford, F Nemanja Bjelica
KEY ADDITIONS: F Anthony Tolliver, G Josh Okogie, F Keita Bates-Diop, F Luol Deng
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Butler requested a trade less than a week before the beginning of training camp. Thibodeau has said the Wolves will only grant his wish if they find a deal that makes sense for them, but the likelihood of Butler joining them on the floor after all the bluster is low. For now, Rose is playing the shooting guard spot.
OUTLOOK: Though the Wolves were able to celebrate their return to the playoffs last spring after a 13-year absence, they were already facing a rough road back in a rugged Western Conference. Then Butler’s unhappiness came to a head. The good news is Towns has continued to improve into one of the game’s best big men.
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
LAST SEASON: 48-34, lost in first round COACH: Billy Donovan (fourth season) PROJECTED STARTING
FIVE: G Russell Westbrook
(25.4 ppg, 10.3 apg, 10.1 rpg), G Dennis Schroder (19.4 ppg, 6.2 apg, Atlanta), F Paul George (21.9 ppg), F Patrick Patterson (3.9 ppg), C Steven Adams (13.9 ppg, 9.0 rpg) KEY LOSSES: F Carmelo Anthony, C Nick Collison
KEY ADDITIONS: Schroder, C Nerlens Noel, G/F Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Schroder was a dynamic scorer in Atlanta with a less talented team around him. He’ll begin the season as a starter as Andre Roberson recovers from a knee injury and he’ll get a chance to seize the job, especially if he can improve defensively. He has been outstanding as a scorer and as a facilitator in the preseason. He could have a big season with Westbrook and George drawing most of the attention.
OUTLOOK: The Thunder shocked many when they were able to keep George this summer, and they also kept forward Jerami Grant. By making the deal to move Anthony and add Schroder, the Thunder became younger and more dynamic. If they can find some outside shooting, they could make a deep run in the West.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
LAST SEASON: 49-33, lost in first round COACH: Terry Stotts (seventh season) PROJECTED STARTING FIVE: G Damian Lillard
(26.9 ppg), G CJ McCollum (21.4 ppg), F Al-Farouq Aminu (9.3 ppg), F Maurice Harkless, (6.5 ppg), C Jusuf Nurkic (14.3 ppg) KEY LOSSES: F Ed Davis, G Shabazz Napier KEY ADDITIONS: G Seth Curry
PLAYER TO WATCH: Zach Collins. Now in his second year, the 7-footer appears poised for a breakout. He’ll be watched after the departure of Davis, who was the spark off the bench for the Blazers last season.
OUTLOOK: The Blazers have one of the best backcourts in the league with Lillard and McCollum. The Blazers are likely still a playoff team, but they’re in a crowded group sitting just below the sure-bets.
UTAH JAZZ
LAST SEASON: 4834, lost in Western Conference semifinals COACH: Quin Snyder (fifth season) PROJECTED STARTING
FIVE: G Ricky Rubio (13.1 ppg), G Donovan Mitchell (20.5 ppg), F Joe Ingles (11.5 ppg), F Derrick Favors (12.3 ppg), C Rudy Gobert (13.5 ppg)
KEY LOSSES: F Jonas Jerebko
KEY ADDITIONS: G Grayson Allen
PLAYER TO WATCH: Mitchell. His emergence keyed Utah’s dominant run to close out the regular season a year ago. Can Mitchell continue to elevate his game in his sophomore season?
OUTLOOK: Utah appeared headed for the lottery until putting together a dramatic turnaround over the final 35 games last season. With all of last season’s key players back in place, the Jazz are counting on continuity and chemistry to help them become a serious postseason threat.