Northwest Division Offseason Grades(so far)
While the postseason and NBA Finals are lauded as the most exciting time of the year for the NBA, it has quickly been put on the backburner for teams throughout the league, save maybe the Boston Celtics. Every squad utilizes free agency and hopes to use it as a springboard to move their team forward, whether they are pushing their chips into the middle of the contending table or are preparing for a rebuild. The Northwest Division, which was the best division in the entire league when looking at combined record, was active, with each team making signings and trades as they prepare for the 2024-25 regular season campaign. While the offseason is far from over and teams are still going to make trades and sign players, the majority of transactions are now complete. That being said, here are our grades for each Northwest Division’s offseason, with both free agency and draft in consideration.
Image via New York Times
Utah Jazz: INCOMPLETE
While a little anticlimactic, the Utah Jazz really can’t receive a definitive grade on their offseason because for them, it isn’t over. Now that almost all of the notable free agents have signed with their teams, young players with potential who are stuck in less than optimal situations take the forefront when considering trades, especially for a team who believes they are one impact player away from contention. Lauri Markkanen is the biggest such name, and rumors concerning him being sent out the door by Jazz general manager Danny Ainge have been abound for more than a year. If teams are willing to pay the price to secure the Finnish Hammer’s services and satiate Ainge with a good enough return, potential landing spots include the Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Portland Trail Blazers. After what many consider to be one of the better performers in this year’s draft, many expect the Jazz to send out their older players in trades to prioritize their younger talent and attempt to snag a top pick in the loaded 2025 draft.
Image via InsideTheGames
Denver Nuggets: C
A lot of attention has been given to the Clippers and their navigation of the second apron, which caused them to lose Paul George to the Philadelphia 76ers for nothing in return. Another team affected by the second apron was Denver, who lost Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, one of the best 3-and-D players in the entire league. That loss breaks up what has been the best starting lineup in the NBA over the last 3 years, leaving the Nuggets no option but to turn to third year player Christian Braun to fill that void, with Julian Strawther presumably taking the backup shooting guard spot. They also lost veteran point guard Reggie Jackson due to their financial inflexibility and unwillingness to plunge deeper into the second apron. They did bring in Dario Sarić and Trey Alexander, but it is clear to see that the Nuggets lost significantly more in this offseason than they gained.
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Minnesota Timberwolves: B
In their first extended playoff run in more than 20 years, the hype surrounding the Timberwolves has grown to an extraordinary level and has maintained even after they fell to the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals. With ownership up in the air, it would seem that the team is willing to keep this core together and run it back after a successful season. They brought in Joe Ingles this offseason, but Kyle Anderson heading out the door to the Warriors hurts the margins of the team more than the team would like fans to believe. The biggest move they made, however, was on draft night, trading future picks for Kentucky’s Rob Dillingham, who might have one of the highest ceilings of any of this year’s prospects. It remains to be seen, however, if the Timberwolves can continue to be competitive as the rest of the Western Conference improves around them.
Image via Times Colonist
Portland Trail Blazers: B+
Another team that has moves to make, the Blazers have made a concrete decision, committing to a future centered around Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe and newly drafted center Donovan Clingan. Their trade on draft night that saw them receive Deni Avdija from the Washington Wizards has been pushed under the rug as other things have happened, but many voiced their support for the move given how he finished the season. Moving Jerami Grant, Robert Williams and Matisse Thybulle would improve this grade for the Blazers, but interest for those players is scarce across the league. One name to watch at the trade deadline for Portland? DeAndre Ayton, who stands to take minutes from Clingan and create a log jam at the center position if and when Williams returns.
Image via The News on 6
Oklahoma City Thunder: A+
No fan base outside of Philadelphia is as excited for next season as those of the Thunder, who haven’t made a bad move so far this offseason. They kicked things off with a straight swap of Josh Giddey for Alex Caruso, signed Isaiah Hartenstein to a three year deal to help cover the one real weak spot on the team and re-signed both Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins on ridiculously team friendly deals, keeping them on the team for the next four years. The craziest part? They did all of that without losing any of their treasure trove of future first round picks, leaving them with a lot of potential to secure the next disgruntled star who demands a trade. The only questionable spot of the offseason for Oklahoma City was their draft-night decisions, but other than small quibbles there, the Thunder can end things here and definitively say that they should be the favorites to repeat as the top seed in the Western Conference.
