My preview of the 2027 NBA season continues with the stacked Northwest Division, home to perennial MVP candidates Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Additions: Aday Mara (12th pick in the 2026 Draft), Bennett Stirtz (17th pick in the 2026 Draft)
Subtractions: Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins, Branden Carlson
Other: Re-signed Isaiah Hartenstein, Re-signed Kenrich Williams
Outlook: It’s hard to say that the Thunder had a disappointing season last year, as they won 64 games and made it to Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals… but considering they were massive favorites to win the championship, not even making the NBA Finals has to count as a bit of a disappointment. It was even more difficult for the Thunder, as their increasing salaries made it likely they would have to shed money this offseason. That’s exactly what the Thunder did, more or less dumping three rotation players (including a starter in Lu Dort) for nothing to get them under the second apron and enable them to have room to bring back starting center Isaiah Hartenstein. The Thunder should still be excellent, as they have the two-time MVP in SGA, All-Star caliber players in Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, and competent role players with Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace, and Jaylin Williams. But the Thunder are certainly less deep, and are now actually reliant on inexperienced youngsters like Nikola Topic, Thomas Sorber, and the two rookies Mara and Stirtz to fill in playable minutes. If those guys step up, the Thunder could be more dangerous than ever.
Prediction: 59-23 (Last year predicted 63-19, actually 64-18)
Denver Nuggets
Additions: Marvin Bagley III, Trevon Brazile (35th pick in 2026 Draft), Alpha Diallo
Subtractions: Peyton Watson, Tim Hardaway Jr., Jonas Valanciunas, Bruce Brown, Jalen Pickett
Other: Re-signed Spencer Jones, Re-signed Tyus Jones
Outlook: Denver had a much-reviled offseason, letting most of their bench walk in free agency due to being over the second apron of the cap. The losses of Watson and Hardaway were particularly brutal, as Watson’s perimeter defense and athleticism and Hardaway’s shooting have not really been replaced on the roster. Bagley should be a fine backup big man to fill in for Valanciunas, and Bruce Brown was pretty bad last year, but the Nuggets are still worse than they were last season. It’s hard to imagine them falling too far with Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon still being roughly in their primes, but any injuries will be harder to recover from. The Nuggets should still win in the upper 40s at the least and be a solid playoff team; their days as an actual contender, however, might be over.
Prediction: 50-32 (Last year predicted 54-28, actually 54-28)
Minnesota Timberwolves
Additions: LaMelo Ball, Jonathan Kuminga, Trey Lyles, Cody Williams, Isaiah Evans (33rd pick in 2026 Draft)
Subtractions: Julius Randle, Naz Reid, Mike Conley, Kyle Anderson, Joe Ingles, Julian Phillips
Other: Re-signed Ayo Dosunmu, Re-signed Bones Hyland
Outlook: The Wolves have strung together three successful seasons in a row, by far the best three-season stretch in franchise history. However, last season’s defeat in the second-round to a less-than-100% Spurs team seems to have persuaded the Wolves brass that the team was not in position to actually win the title. Thus, a remarkable overhaul, with the team completely shifting its style by shipping out two of its big men for a dynamic point guard in LaMelo Ball. Ball is extraordinarily talented, and should make Anthony Edwards’ life easier on offense. They are probably going to be the highest octane backcourt in the NBA. However, the Wolves’ size, once such a strength, is gone, and if Rudy Gobert (who is 34) has injuries or slips at all, their rebounding and defense might not be viable. I don’t mind the swing on Kuminga, despite his lack of positive impact in the NBA so far, but there’s no question the Wolves are shallower than last season, especially with Donte DiVincenzo still out with a torn Achilles. If Edwards, Ball, and Gobert are mostly healthy the Wolves still seem like a playoff lock, but I worry about their defense and Ball’s ability to hold up.
Prediction: 46-36 (Last year predicted 48-34, actually 49-33)
Utah Jazz
Additions: Darryn Peterson (2nd pick in 2026 NBA Draft), Josh Okogie, Josh Green, Jaxson Hayes, Mo Bamba
Subtractions: Walker Kessler, Cody Williams, John Konchar, Kevin Love, Elijah Harkless
Other: Re-signed Jusuf Nurkic
Outlook: After several seasons of tanking the Jazz seem like they’ll finally try to win games in 2027. They traded for Jaren Jackson Jr. at the trade deadline last year, but he barely played before being ruled out with an injury. Combine JJJ with dynamic scorer Lauri Markkanen, young guard Keyonte George, and number two pick Darryn Peterson and you have a ton of talent, especially on offense. If the Jazz’s center rotation was better I’d probably have them as a legitimately good team, but having Jusuf Nurkic, Jaxson Hayes, and Mo Bamba as your centers in today’s day and age is just a tough look. A lot rides on Peterson – if he’s the player he looked like in high school two years ago, he could help the Jazz rocket up the standings. There are also other young players on the roster whose improvement could keep the Jazz moving into more of a true playoff team, like second-year Ace Bailey, reserve big Kyle Filipowski, and bench scorer Brice Sensabaugh. There’s talent, but it’s young and offensively-focused, so I think the Jazz are one year away from truly breaking through.
Prediction: 37-45 (Last year predicted 18-64, actually 22-60)
Portland Trailblazers
Additions: Ja Morant, Jeremy Sochan, Micah Potter, Branden Carlson
Subtractions: Jerami Grant, Kris Murray, Matisse Thybulle, Caleb Love
Other: Re-signed Robert Williams, Hired Micah Nori as head coach
Outlook: The Blazers were one of the most middling teams in the NBA last season, and I don’t see that changing much this year. The only major move the Blazers made in the offseason was acquiring Ja Morant, which is a pure talent play that I don’t love considering Ja’s on-court and off-court issues as well as his questionable fit in Portland. If Ja returns to his 2022-2023 level of play he will be a major talent upgrade, but the sheer lack of shooting in Portland plus his and Dame’s awful defense limits Portland’s ceiling. On the other hand, if Ja combusts, it could sink the whole enterprise. Split the difference and you have a fine season with a deal of variance. The Blazers are also a major trade candidate, including veterans like Jrue Holiday (for a contender) and youngsters like Scoot Henderson (change of scenery).
Prediction: 35-47 (Last year predicted 38-44, actually 42-40)