Toronto Raptors: Will the Northwest Division be a problem for Toronto?

As we prepare for the Toronto Raptors 2018-2019 season, we take a look at across the league, including with the Northwest Division.

The Toronto Raptors play in the hardest division in the Eastern Conference. However, it pales in comparison to the battle that exists in the toughest division in the NBA, the Northwest Division.

From top-to-bottom, this Division is absolutely stacked. Any given team in this division has the chance to win 50+ games, with the Minnesota Timberwolves currently slotted as the worst team in the division.

It’s possible, although admittedly unlikely that the Northwest Division manages to sneak all five teams in the playoffs. Since the league realigned itself into six divisions in 2004, that has never come close to happening.

Not only does the Northwest Division offer first-class basketball in terms of competence, but it also a wide variety of styles.

If you like scoring, the Denver Nuggets will almost certainly possess a top-10 offense this season, and could very likely maintain a bottom-10 defense.

If you pine for the old days of defensive, 90’s basketball, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Utah Jazz both have the chance to finish top-three in defensive efficiency this season. If Rudy Gobert stays healthy, the Jazz have the opportunity to be one of the best defenses in the modern era.

As it currently stands, the Oklahoma City Thunder are the betting favorites to win the division. Meanwhile, the team who won the division last season, the Portland Trailblazers, are listed as the least likely to win the division, despite returning every major piece from the season before. (Sorry Ed Davis. I love Ed as much as anyone, but calling him a major piece feels like a stretch)

With a division so loaded, we decided to break down every team, starting with the drama-filled Minnesota Timberwolves.