The Northwest division produced just one playoff team last year, and almost no one is expecting the Portland Trail Blazers to return to the postseason. In fact, while Portland stands a slim chance, only one team in this division poses a real threat at doing so, the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Denver Nuggets are in the first stages of a rebuild with the keys handed off to No. 7 overall pick Emmanuel Mudiay. Mudiay slipped in the draft but initially had been considered a top-three pick.
The Utah Jazz were a vastly improved team but seem to lack the horses to get over the hump, at least so far.