Culture of Hoops

2020-21 NBA Season Preview: Northwest Division

Check out our other NBA Divisional Previews below.

2020-21 NBA Season Preview: Atlantic Division

2020-21 NBA Season Preview: Central Division

2020-21 NBA Season Preview: Northwest Division

2020-21 NBA Season Preview: Pacific Division

2020-21 NBA Season Preview: Southeast Division

2020-21 NBA Season Preview: Southwest Division

Notable Newcomers

The most notable newcomer for this division is number one overall pick Anthony Edwards, who joins an already solid Minnesota Timberwolves roster. The Portland Trail Blazers acquired Robert Covington from the Houston Rockets, and signed wing Derrick Jones Jr. in free agency. The Oklahoma City Thunder were busy this offseason, moving players all over and acquiring a boatload of draft picks. They picked up veterans Trevor Ariza and George Hill, but it is very likely they are traded before the season is over. Probably for more first rounders, knowing Sam Presti.

Other than that, no other team made very loud noise of bringing players in. The teams in the division were more focused on re-signing and extending key players on their team to secure their future.

X-Factors

Denver Nuggets
Will Nikola Jokic be fit for a full season? At the start of last season, many questions were brought forth about Jokic’s fitness, with many people claiming he looked out of shape. It showed as he had a sluggish start to the season. However, during the break due to COVID-19, he got into shape and he dominated when the season restarted. If Jokic can keep that fitness for a full season then he can help lead this Nuggets team to great heights.

Minnesota Timberwolves
Will the pairing of D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns work out? There is no question that the offensive ability of this team is incredible and that duo will undoubtedly be a top five PG/C combo this season. However, can they defend at a decent level? Russell is a below average defender (-1.7 defensive box plus/minus), and Towns is a relatively average defender (0.8 defensive box plus/minus). If they can play well on both sides of the court, this team has a lot of potential.

Oklahoma City Thunder
Is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ready to bear the load? It is finally Gilgeous-Alexander’s team since Chris Paul is gone. Alexander took a great step up in his sophomore season, but that was as second fiddle. The Thunder will only go as far as Alexander can lead them this season, as the team is a little scarce on talent.

Portland Trail Blazers
Can this team stay healthy? This Blazers team is almost fully healthy to start the season (except for Zach Collins who will miss a couple of weeks). This team has struggled with injuries in recent seasons and it has cost them their opportunity to achieve even more than they already have. If the team can stay fully healthy for a full season with the talent they have, then the Western Conference will need to be on watch.

Utah Jazz
Can Donovan Mitchell take that last step? Donovan Mitchell showed in the playoffs just how good he can be, recording two 50 point games. He has played at an All-Star level the past couple of seasons (even though he has not made an All-Star team). Mitchell has that last step up to take in order to become a superstar. If he makes that last step, it turns this Utah Jazz team into a force to be reckoned with.

Bold Predictions

Denver Nuggets
Jamal Murray makes his first All-Star appearance and makes an All-NBA team.

Minnesota Timberwolves
Russell and Towns pair well, but it is only enough to secure a low spot in the play-in tourney and they do not qualify for the playoffs. 

Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder continue to blow-up their roster and acquire three more first-round picks before the year is over.

Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers stay healthy and make the Western Conference Finals after a top four finish in the West.

Utah Jazz
Donovan Mitchell takes that step up, averages 28 points per game and makes his first All-NBA Team. 

ALL-DIVISION TEAM

PG: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
SG: CJ McCollum, Portland Trail Blazers
SF: Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz
PF: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
C: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Predicted Standings

*The 2020-21 NBA season will consist of only 72 games instead of the normal 82 because of scheduling conflicts

  1. Portland Trail Blazers (48-24)
  2. Denver Nuggets (47-25)
  3. Utah Jazz (45-27)
  4. Minnesota Timberwolves (33-39)
  5. Oklahoma City Thunder (19-53)
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