As the season draws to a close, most teams in the NBA are looking forward to the postseason. Scouts begin creating gameplans for potential matchups as the play-in games and first round approach. However, the teams left on the outside looking in are already looking forward to next year, planning out their summers in advance, trying to put their teams in the best position to be in contention this time next year. We took a look at each Northwest team’s assets and contracts and ranked them one through five based on draft equity, current roster, potential free agents, and their current contender status. Rankings are based on the next five years, so without further ado, the Future Rankings for the Northwest Division.

#1 Minnesota Timberwolves

Draft equity: 4

Free agent potential: 1

Current Status: 2

When the Timberwolves traded a king’s ransom for the services of Rudy Gobert, it was seen as one of the biggest overpays in the history of NBA trades. Looking back on it, the trade is more acceptable for most fans given the success of the team in their second season together. Much of their meteoric rise is thanks to the blossoming of Anthony Edwards into a true star, but taking a closer look, it is the supporting cast that deserves much more credit. Teams are carried through the regular season thanks in large part to their depth, and players like Jaden McDaniels, Mike Conley and Naz Reid have been a big part of the Minnesota roster. That being said, their depth got them into the postseason; it’s up to their top three performers to lead them on a deep run through a wild Western conference playoff bracket.

#2 Oklahoma City Thunder

Draft equity: 1

Free agent potential: 4

Current Status: 3

One of the youngest teams in the league, the Thunder have proven that their jump up the standings is no fluke. Led by MVP hopeful Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, the team plays an advanced style that doesn’t mesh well with how young they are. Their drive-and-kick offense, featuring inverted pick and roll concepts has given their opponents fits because they are one of the few teams that can sport five able ball handlers at each spot on the floor without leaning too heavy into their guard depth. It is yet to be seen if their style can translate into postseason basketball, but the Thunder are ready for the challenge. All that remains is to see how similar they are to the last successful young team in the NBA, the Thunder… from 2012, led by Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden.

#3 Denver Nuggets

Draft equity: 5

Free agent potential: 3

Current Status: 1

The Nuggets have the luxury of having the best player in the NBA and the presumptive MVP in Nikola Jokić as well as one of the most complete playoff rosters in the entire league. Looking to the future though, the Nuggets project very well, mostly because of how the Joker plays the game. He doesn’t rely on athleticism to dominate games, using his passing and ridiculously high basketball IQ to tear apart anyone standing in Denver’s way. This type of game has proved to age gracefully in the NBA, and if their franchise player and supporting pieces in Jamal Murray and Micheal Porter Jr. can stay on the floor, there is no reason to think that the Nuggets are going to be anywhere but at the top of the standings for the near future. 

#4 Portland Trail Blazers

Draft equity: 2

Free agent potential: 2

Current Status: 5

Let’s be honest, this ranking is too low when putting the Blazers in the context of the entire conference. Unfortunately, they play in what has been the best division in the NBA all season long, so their future progression is a bit tougher to see. For those who have watched this team play this season, though, it isn’t hard to see them making a quick turnaround, led by the ever-improving Scoot Henderson. The rookie point guard has put together a quietly good second half of the year, improving almost everywhere on both ends of the floor. The shooting numbers will improve, as it usually does for guards after their rookie season, but their future will largely depend on how well they can sell themselves as a “one piece away” team to free agents. If they can attract a big name to the Pacific Northwest, they could find themselves right back in contention. 

#5 Utah Jazz

Draft equity: 3

Free agent potential: 5

Current Status: 4

The Jazz are in a dangerous position at this point, being left in between being in playoff contention and being near the bottom-feeders of the conference. They need to make a decision of which way to go instead of staying the course, lest they become the Western version of the Chicago Bulls. Trapping your team in mediocrity is the worst thing you can do in the NBA, so the Jazz need to decide now whether or not they can make the necessary moves to climb within the conference. If they can’t, that is ok. As displayed by other teams in their division, a quick return to contention can simply be one good draft pick away.