2026-27 NBA Season Preview: Thunder, Nuggets, Timberwolves, Trail Blazers, Jazz (Northwest Division)

With the regular season set to tip off on Oct. 20, let’s take a look at where each team in the Northwest Division stands. We’ll break down what to like and be concerned about, a lineup to watch and a reasonable range for them to finish in the standings. 

Let’s dig in, shall we?

Advertisement

Thunder • Nuggets • Timberwolves • Trail Blazers • Jazz

Previous divisions: Central • Southwest

Oklahoma City Thunder

WHAT TO LIKE: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Back-to-back MVPs don’t grow on trees, especially guards that can convert over 60% of their 2s on midrange heavy diets. There’s an inevitability I’ve come to appreciate with SGA. He moves at his own pace — moves you at his own pace — en route to an endless supply of fancy finishes and midrange goodness. He’s been lifting defensively-slanted lineups for years now, and still has relatively low-hanging fruit (hello, 3-point volume) to grab. 

Advertisement

OTHER LIKES

This defense, headlined by Chet Holmgren (he’s still really good, y’all!), should remain absurd. A healthier version of Jalen Williams will boost what is already an elite unit, and I’m excited to see how Cason Wallace builds on his first All-Defense campaign. Isaiah Hartenstein rounds out the (projected) starting five as one of the more underrated defenders in the league. Alex Caruso remains an absolute madman, and would be a mainstay for All-Defensive teams if he played more. Jaylin Williams is equal parts scheme-versatile and charge magnet. Good luck scoring against this unit. Again.

While I expect Wallace to step into Lu Dort’s starting spot, I wouldn’t be surprised if OKC rolled with Ajay Mitchell to add more of a scoring punch. He’s dynamic with the ball in his hands, making him an ideal option to either destroy defenses that are tilted by SGA, or pose enough of a threat to further unlock SGA as an off-ball option. 

As a longtime Kenrich Williams enjoyer, I’m so glad he’s still on this roster. Consummate professional who can step in and fill just about any role you need him to. He’ll forever have a fan here.

Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Basketball league for the 2026-27 NBA season

BIGGEST QUESTION…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/2026-27-nba-season-preview-thunder-nuggets-timberwolves-trail-blazers-jazz-northwest-division-205947312.html

Author : Nekias Duncan

Publish date : 2026-10-06 20:59:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.