The excitement of the NBA might climax during the Finals, but there is still a lot to be excited about for the teams not participating. All 30 squads have been preparing for months, sending scouts to the NBA Combine, taking measurements and bringing in prospects for workouts with the end goal of securing a future star for their franchise in the NBA draft. With contracts growing faster than ever, the importance of drafting well is paramount, especially for teams looking to make the jump from play-in participants to bona-fide contenders. Taking a look at the Northwest Division, whose teams have seven first round picks in this draft, it might be the most interesting group to watch this year, especially because of the overall talent held in later picks. We picked out the best fit for each team’s picks as well as realistic selections that should be available based on recent mock drafts. Without further adieu, here are the 2024 Northwest Division draft targets.

Round 1 Pick 7: Portland Trail Blazers

Best-Case Scenario: UConn PG/SG Stephon Castle

Draft Night Target: Tennessee SF Dalton Knecht

Looking at the current team construction, the Trail Blazers appear to have some pieces set in place in Scoot Henderson, DeAndre Ayton and Shaedon Sharpe. While all three have their strengths and play well in their minutes together, they do have one uniform weakness; a lack of three-point shooting. While both Henderson and Sharpe could be expecting to improve their shooting percentages, bringing in a young sharpshooter would certainly move things in the right direction. Enter Castle or Knecht, both of which bring both catch-and-shoot ability and the strength to create off the bounce. The Blazers need an injection of youth and speed to their team to match the pace that Henderson is most effective at. However, expect the Blazers to grab one of the top projected picks if they fall on draft night.

Round 1 Pick 10: Utah Jazz

Best-Case Scenario: France PF Tidjaune Saluan

Draft Night Target: Providence PG Devin Carter

The Jazz are somewhat stuck in the background when considering their place in the Western conference. This pick is vital to their team’s development, primarily because of the lack of free agency draw that the team has when compared to bigger markets. The Jazz were one of the worst teams in the league when it came to playmaking, boasting a measly 1.8 assist-to-turnover ratio, good for worst in the NBA. Carter projects as a tweener guard capable of playing both backcourt spots, with a tight handle and efficient shooting, both inside and outside. Lauri Markkanen is one of the names to watch on draft night, however, so don’t be surprised if general manager Justin Zanik looks to move him in order to secure a higher pick. 

Round 1 Pick 12: Oklahoma City Thunder

Best-Case Scenario: Ignite SF Ron Holland

Draft Night Target: Purdue C Zach Edey

Because of the nature of this year’s draft, teams could be more inclined than ever to move backward and secure future assets. Most experts expect the Thunder to be amongst those teams, seeing that their biggest need(a center) is not amongst the projected players when they pick near the end of the lottery. In Edey, the Thunder would receive the reigning Wooden Award winner who was one of the most dominant players in the country in this year’s NCAA Tournament. His lack of outside shooting is a concern, but the Thunder were one of the best three-point shooting squads in the league. In order to secure the defensive glass and remedy their Achilles heel, look for the Thunder to either “reach” for Edey at pick 12 or trade back and look to secure him later on. 

Round 1 Pick 14: Portland Trail Blazers

Best-Case Scenario: Baylor SG Ja’Kobe Walker

Draft Night Target: Duke PG Jared McCain

As mentioned before, the Portland Trail Blazers are in desperate need of perimeter shooting in this draft. While Walker presents the better two-way potential when compared to Duke’s McCain, he is a player who is much more effective with the ball in his hands. If Portland hangs on to Anfernee Simons and pairs him with Scoot Henderson, most ball-handling responsibilities will be given to them. McCain, on the other hand, projects as a player who works well on and off the ball, all while being the far better outside shooter. That being said, McCain only serves to weaken an already porous defense unless he shows quick improvement on that side of the floor. 

Round 1 Pick 27: Minnesota Timberwolves

Best-Case Scenario: USC PG Isaiah Collier

Draft Night Target: Marquette PG Tyler Kolek

Throughout this breakout season for the young Timberwolves, Mike Conley became a far more important piece to the puzzle than anyone thought he was going to be. The playmaking Conley provided helped to calm Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns and built great pick-and-roll chemistry with Rudy Gobert. However, the playoffs showed how lacking the team was when they were ousted from the Western Conference Finals. Kolek brings in a mature, pass-first mentality and could help the Wolves survive the minutes that Conley sits and, if things go well, could take over his starting spot eventually.

Round 1 Pick 28: Denver Nuggets

Best-Case Scenario: Cal SG Jaylon Tyson

Draft Night Target: Illinois SG Terrance Shannon Jr. 

One of the problems with being so good for so long is that teams that enjoy success often pick towards the back end of the first round unless they are fortunate enough to have previously traded picks work out in the future. The Nuggets, however, don’t have that luxury, leaving them in a spot where they draft for high-end potential instead of high-floor players. Their past draft decisions in Jalen Pickett, Julian Strawther and Peyton Watson shows that they are willing to take big swings with their picks. Here lies the allure of Terrance Shannon. Despite being faced with legal problems in the months preceding the draft, Shannon’s issues have been absolved and his potential is tantalizing, especially as a steal for the Nuggets in the late first round.

Round 1 Pick 29: Utah Jazz

Best-Case Scenario: Creighton SG Baylor Scheierman

Draft Night Target: Sweden PF Bobi Klintman

Once the draft gets past the first 20 or so picks, things can get more erratic and unpredictable as teams begin to target the players they want instead of the players that the mock drafts say they should take. In this instance, higher-upside players become more desirable, especially when looking at foreign-born players. Klintman put up good stats at Wake Forest, especially as a stretch-four, averaging better than 36% from three-point range. He projects as an intriguing two-way talent, and could be a player the Jazz could usher in if they do try to move on from Lauri Markkanen. It is the opinion of many that the Jazz should lean into their youth, so this move could be a step in the right direction for them.