We are finally down to single-digit days until the NBA tips off. With all of the moves this offseason, this upcoming season is going to be an entertaining one. We are taking each division at a time, and looking at the biggest question for each team. Today we head over to the Western Conference with the Northwest Division.
Denver Nuggets – Is this team too deep?
I know that is a silly question to ask, but truthfully, the Nuggets are as solid as they come. They didn’t have much roster turnover this offseason and everyone appears to be healthy. They won the Northwest Division last season with 54 games, which very well could be the toughest division in the NBA.
Most good NBA teams need to find ways to develop young players to remain competitive and develop winning cultures. The Nuggets have plenty of promise on their roster, however, will be they be able to give minutes to all the guys who will need them? Players need minutes to develop and to learn from the good and the bad of their play.
You have Malik Beasley, who is 22-years old and looks poised for a breakout year. Michael Porter Jr. is 21 and will play his first NBA minutes this season after undergoing surgery on his back last season. 23-year old Monte Morris made a jump last season off the bench. They recently acquired 25-year old Jerami Grant who played a key role for Oklahoma City Thunder last season.
This isn’t even taking into account that they drafted Bol Bol, who may sit out awhile with an injury. There are only so many minutes to go around on a team. Will the Nuggets be able to accommodate all of their potential? Will they look to trade pieces? Can they afford to stand pat and not make any moves at all?
Minnesota Timberwolves – Are they married to Andrew Wiggins?
Andrew Wiggins is an enigma; he looks like he has the skillset to be a top-10 player in the NBA. Many thought he would be the face of the NBA in the near future. In the 2014 draft, Wiggins went first overall for a reason. However, as each season passes, Wiggins feels further and further away from the person everyone hoped he would be. This is partly why the Timberwolves have been bottom-dwellers in the Northwest Division the past few years.
Much like asking my kids to clean their room, Wiggins’ approach to playing basketball feels the same way. If he has to do it, he will, but it may not be pretty, or done right. However, Wiggins is only 24-years old and he has plenty of years left in the NBA.
Will this be the season he figures it out and becomes the 2nd leader behind Karl-Anthony Towns? Or will Timberwolves find a way to move him? His contract isn’t going to be very appealing to other teams. However, could there be another team willing to take a bite on his potential and hope it’s not as sour as has been the past few seasons?
Oklahoma City Thunder – Can they move Chris Paul?
When the Thunder traded the face of their franchise for Chris Paul, many realized they were trying to do right for Westbrook, while acquiring an asset they hoped to flip. Many also aren’t buying the teams statements that they want him in Oklahoma City. The team looks to be on a path to rebuilding, and Paul doesn’t fit that plan.
Paul is still a valuable point guard, however, he has missed 20+ games each of the past three seasons. What the Thunder get in return for him probably isn’t going to be as much as they would like. He’s 34-year old and does not have a team-friendly contract, to say the least. He could prove to be a good mentor for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but that might not be the best reason to keep him around.
It is probably in the Thunders best interest to build around their younger talents, and find a way to shed some of the veteran salaries they currently are on the hook to pay. Could Paul be flipped for Andrew Wiggins and become a member of the Timberwolves? Will he find his way to Miami and be the second star behind Jimmy Butler? Who knows… what we do know is that the Thunder need to find a way to move him elsewhere.
Portland Trail Blazers – How will Nurkic’s injury affect the team?
Late last season Jusuf Nurkic went down with a gruesome leg injury. He was the defensive anchor on a team making a deep push into the playoffs. It is one of those “what-if” scenarios most Trail Blazer fans will play in their heads for years to come. What if Nurkic doesn’t get injured, could the Trail Blazers have overcome the Warriors in the Western Conference finals?
The Trail Blazers brought in Hassan Whiteside, who when motivated can be a productive piece in their frontcourt. However, he’s not doing to be the defensive player Nurkic was. Pau Gasol was also signed, which one can only assume would be in a mentor-type role, and not someone you want to count on for significant minutes each night.
Each offseason the Trail Blazers get counted out by most experts. Yet, when it’s playoff time, they find themselves in the conversation nearly every season. Last year they felt closer than they had been in a long time. Can they use that loss as motivation to come back this season and pick up where they left off by winning the Northwest Division?
Utah Jazz – Can their bench be productive?
The Jazz starting five is one of the best in the Northwest Division and in the entire NBA. With the addition of Mike Conley this offseason they are in a great position to continue racking up wins. Outside of those five, however, the Jazz could have issues.
Who exactly is going to come off the bench to score points for the second unit? You have a few aging frontcourt players in Jeff Green and Ed Davis, who know their role, and will be good at those roles, but neither are going to scare defenses. You have Emmanuel Mudiay, who is adequate, but is adequate an adjective you want to use when talking about your bench? There are a bunch of guys who are young and unproven on this roster too.
Teams need to make strides each offseason to improve, or they get left behind, especially in the Western Conference. A great starting five is always a good place to start, but you can only go as far as your bench can take you. The season is long and injuries are going to happen. Depth can solve many problems, but do the Jazz have problem solvers not in the starting lineup?
