The NBA season is just around the corner.
After a busy offseason, there’s no shortage of big storylines unfolding, between blockbuster trades, stars returning from long injury layoffs and young players looking to make their mark in 2022-23.
In the days leading up to the start of the season, we’re taking a closer look at each division in the league. Next up? The Northwest Division.
Can the Nuggets fight for the best record in the league? Will the new-look Timberwolves build on their playoff experience with some new faces in town? Can Damian Lillard lead the Trail Blazers back to the playoffs?
Let’s take a look at how things might unfold.
NBA PLAYER RANKINGS: PG | SG | SF | PF | C | Bench | Top 30
Best team
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets clawed their way into the playoffs last season with a 48-34 record, before running into the eventual champion Warriors in the first round.
The workload placed upon Nikola Jokic’s broad shoulders ultimately proved too much, but with the return of point guard Jamal Murray, who missed the entire 2021-22 season, there’s reason for optimism in Denver. And after some key roster moves, along with having the reigning MVP, I have them pegged as a dark-horse team to finish with the best record in the league.
While Murray’s return gives them the biggest boost, the front office didn’t rest on that, bringing in some experienced role players who can help on both ends, including 2020 champion Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Bruce Brown, DeAndre Jordan and Ish Smith.
The Nuggets have the eighth-best odds to win the title. If Murray can get back to his prolific best, Jokic remains in the MVP conversation and Michael Porter Jr. continues his development, they are no doubt the best team in the Northwest Division.
Best player
Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
Damian Lillard and Karl-Anthony Towns deserve a mention here, but there’s no looking past Jokic, who is not only the best player in the division, he’s technically the best player in the league. That is, of course, if you’re basing your assessment on the Most Valuable Player of the Year award, which the Serbian has won in each of the last two seasons.
Jokic’s numbers speak for themselves, coming off a campaign averaging 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game on 58.3 percent shooting from the field and 33.7 percent from the 3-point line.
With Murray back in the fold and Porter Jr. healthy after only playing nine games last season, Jokic has two young stars capable of sharing the offensive burden and forcing defenses to direct more attention away from the paint.
As one of, if not the best passer in the league, Jokic’s ability to create for others will go up another notch with a strong cast of offensive weapons at his disposal, finishing off those no-look passes and defense-splitting dimes.
Jokic is the best player in the division, and I’m not sure it’s even close.
Best rookie
Shaedon Sharpe, Trail Blazers
With the Thunder’s No. 2 overall pick Chet Holmgren sidelined for the entire season, all eyes will be on the Trail Blazers’ No. 7 pick Shaedon Sharpe.
Sharpe entered the draft after not playing a single minute for Kentucky, but his talent alone made him a top-10 pick.
The 19-year-old is somewhat of a long-term project for the Blazers, but the early signs in preseason show he has the ability to contribute right away, with his silky shooting and unmatched athleticism.
“He’ll have a learning curve, but I think he’s going to catch up very quickly,” Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups said during Sharpe’s introductory press conference.
“He has some things, and some skills, and some gifts, that a lot of people in this entire world don’t have.”
Minutes will be hard to come by early with the Blazers stacked with wing players, including Anfernee Simons, Josh Hart, Nassir Little and Gary Payton III ahead of him on the depth chart.
You can make an argument that the Thunder duo of Jalen Williams and Ousmane Dieng are better placed to see court time than Sharpe, but by the end of the season, don’t be surprised if the Blazers’ high-flyer is the freshman making the most noise in the Northwest.
Best new addition
Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves
After making the playoffs for the first time since 2017-18, the Timberwolves pushed all their chips into the middle of the table by sending four players and five first-round draft picks to the Jazz to acquire Rudy Gobert.
Gobert, who averaged 15.6 points, 14.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks last season, has won three of the past five Defensive Player of the Year awards and puts the Timberwolves in the picture to be one of the best defensive teams in the league, improving on their 13th-ranked defense last season.
Per Basketball Reference, Gobert ranked second in defensive rating, third in defensive win shares and third in win shares per 48 minutes in the 2021-22 season while leading the league in rebound percentage and recording the second-most total blocks.
“He’s a generational talent on defense, and I think I’m a generational talent on offense. The way that we can complement each other on both sides of the court is going to be amazing,” Karl-Anthony Towns said.
“I think it’s really exciting for fans. I think it’s very exciting for the league. People talk about a two big-man tandem hasn’t been able to work, especially in today’s NBA. Intend to change that mindset for people.”
Gobert’s arrival in Minnesota also sets up a potentially devastating pick-and-roll combination with D’Angelo Russell and Anthony Edwards as the team’s lead ball handlers. The Timberwolves were 22nd in points per possession off screens last season. Gobert’s presence inside will immediately launch them into another stratosphere as the best screener in the league.
MORE: Additions and departures for all 30 NBA teams
Wildest X-factor
Can Jerami Grant take another leap?
Last season was one to forget for the Blazers. With Damian Lillard sidelined after the New Year with an abdominal injury, Portland slumped to a 27-55 record.
With Lillard now back and the Blazers re-tooling their roster, one acquisition stands out among the rest in Jerami Grant, who arrived via trade from the Pistons.
Grant gives the Blazers a long, athletic, two-way player who has the potential to significantly raise the Blazers’ floor this season, coming off an impressive campaign in Detroit where he was the team’s offensive focal point, averaging 19.2 points per game on .426/.358/.838 shooting splits.
“Getting Jerami was huge. You’ve got to be deep on the wing,” Lillard said.
“Jerami is a guy that was on winning teams in Denver and Oklahoma City. … Filling a role that we needed and being able to do that job better than what we had.”
Grant is the type of player Lillard and the Blazers have been missing, with his ability to guard the opposing team’s best player, comfortably switch on defense and space the floor.
In Detroit, Grant took his game to another level offensively. This season, having a teammate like Lillard will make things even easier for him.
The Blazers aren’t projected to make the playoffs, but if Grant continues his growth and Lillard stays healthy, Portland might just be a team to watch out for come the playoffs.
Over/under win predictions
Denver Nuggets — 52.5. Over
Minnesota Timberwolves — 49.5. Over
Portland Trail Blazers — 40.5. Under
Utah Jazz — 23.5. Under
Oklahoma City Thunder — 23.5. Under
Biggest unanswered questions
Denver Nuggets
- Can Michael Porter Jr. stay healthy?
- Will Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope give them the wing depth they need?
- Can Nikola Jokic win a third-straight MVP?
Minnesota Timberwolves
- Will Anthony Edwards make an All-Star leap in Year 3?
- Can Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns work as a frontcourt duo?
- Who will step into the leadership void left by Patrick Beverley?
Portland Trail Blazers
- Can Jerami Grant take another leap?
- Will Josh Hart, Nassir Little or Justise Winslow start at small forward?
- Will Damian Lillard run out of patience?
Utah Jazz
- Are the Jazz getting EuroBasket Lauri Markkanen?
- How will Collin Sexton bounce back after injury?
- Will Mike Conley, Jordan Clarkson and Rudy Gay be traded?
Oklahoma City Thunder
- Is Josh Giddey’s 3-point shooting real?
- Who will fill the hole at center?
- Will Shai Gilgeous-Alexander accept another losing season?
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