NORTHWEST DIVISION
DENVER
2019- 20: 46- 27 ( 3rd) Eliminated in conference finals
by Lakers Hello: JaMychal Green ( FA), RJ Hampton ( draft). Goodbye: Jerami Grant ( FA). Outlook: Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray joined the NBA’s pantheon of dynamic duos, and they will again have plenty of help with youngsters Michael Porter Jr. and Bol Bol. Green will be expected to fill the scoring touch Grant showed in the playoffs before departing during free agency. A healthy Will Barton adds to the team’s versatility as does the re- signing of Paul Millsap.
OKLAHOMA CITY
2019- 20: 44- 28 ( 5th) Eliminated in first round by Houston
Hello: Trevor Ariza ( trade), George Hill ( trade), Al Horford ( FA), Aleksej Pokusevski ( draft). Goodbye: Steven Adams ( trade), Danilo Gallinari ( FA), Nerlens Noel ( FA), Chris Paul ( trade), Dennis Schroder ( trade). Outlook: The Thunder moved a ton of talent and brought in some capable veterans with 10 trades. New coach Mark Daigneault will lead a squad with a dozen players under 24, including potential reserves- turned- starters Darius Bazley and Luguentz Dort.
UTAH
2019- 20: 44- 28 ( 6th) Eliminated in first round
by Denver Hello: Udoka Azubuike ( draft). Goodbye: No key players. Outlook: The Jazz are built to win behind explosive guard Donovan Mitchell and stalwart center Rudy Gobert. Bringing back forward Derrick Favors and drafting Azubuike will fortify the frontcourt and add to a solid second unit that includes scorers in Jordan Clarkson and Joe Ingles. They surrendered a 3- 1 series lead in a first- round loss to Denver and might need another key piece to the puzzle to advance this season.
PORTLAND
2019- 20: 35- 39 ( 8th) Eliminated in first round
by Lakers Hello: Robert Covington ( trade), Derrick Jones Jr. ( FA), Enes Kanter ( FA). Goodbye: Trevor Ariza ( FA), Hassan Whiteside ( FA). Outlook: After an injury- plagued season during which players missed a combined 248 games, the Trail Blazers became one of the toasts of the bubble by making the playoffs a seventh consecutive season. Healthy and reloaded with wings alongside Damian Lillard and Jusuf Nukic, Portland should challenge for a top- four spot.
MINNESOTA
2019- 20: 19- 45 ( 14th)
Did not qualify for playoffs Hello: Anthony Edwards ( draft), Jaden McDaniels ( trade), Ricky Rubio ( trade), Malik Beasley ( FA), Juan Hernangomez ( FA). Goodbye: James Johnson ( trade). Outlook: Edwards, the No. 1 pick, could be a good fit in the lineup alongside D’Angelo Russell because of his athleticism and ability to get to the rim. Despite a sizable roster turnover, the big question will be whether franchise cornerstone Karl Anthony- Towns can put it all together amid the pandemic, which has cost his family seven lives, including his mother’s.