Here are the draft grades for the Northwest Division. Minnesota Timberwolves made a big trade that should help them make the playoffs while the Utah Jazz found some much needed shooting help. Oklahoma City Thunder surrounded Russell Westbrook with some help, while the Portland Trail Blazers found some front courtplayers. Despite these success stories, the Denver Nuggets could not say the same thing.
The order is based on the standings from last season.
Utah Jazz: A-
The Jazz drafted Donovan Mitchell at No. 13 via trade, Tony Bradley at No. 28 via trade, and Nigel Williams-Goss at No.
55. Mitchell is a natural shooting guard. The Jazz had two players at that position with Rodney Hood and Joe Ingles. Mitchell might get a chance to play if the Jazz don't resign Ingles. Bradley is a seven-foot center that could provide backup minutes to Rudy Gobert. Not too many picks in the 50s are interesting, but Williams-Goss was an outstanding guard at Gonzaga, and might be very undervalued.
Overall, the Jazz found some pieces to reload their roster, but will need to make sure they resign their star player, Gordon Hayward within the next week.
Oklahoma City Thunder: B
The Thunder drafted Terrance Ferguson at No. 21. Ferguson was a 2016 McDonald's All-American that played in Australia last season averaging 4.6 points.
Ferguson is said to be a stellar defender, which would help if the Thunder lose Andre Roberson to free agency.
The Thunder will need more to help Russell Westbrook, but this will be a nice complementary piece if Ferguson lives up to expectations.
Portland Trail Blazers: C-
The Trail Blazers drafted Zach Collins via trade, and Caleb Swanigan at No.
26. The Trail Blazers needed more scoring, so making a trade to draft up to get Collins is confusing. The Trail Blazers could have taken Mitchell, Luke Kennard, or Malik Monk. Even Justin Jackson or D.J. Wilson would have been a better fit, but Collins has high upside. Swanigan could be a solid big man, but has the stats of a future five point a night reserve.
Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum need help, but might have to wait another year to get it.
Denver Nuggets: F
The Nuggets drafted Tyler Lydon at No. 24 via trade, Vlatko Cancar at No. 49, and Monte Morris at No. 51. None of these players scream instant improvement. The Nuggets have been a wreck since the firing of George Karl. Now, there are reports of the Nuggets wanting to make a trade for Kevin Love? It's going to be a long time before Denver is relevant again.
Minnesota Timberwolves: A+
On paper, Minnesota has their best chance to make the playoffs in 14 years. The Timberwolves sent Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn, and the seventh overall pick to bring Jimmy Butler, and the 16th overall pick over. It's a mystery how they convinced the Bulls to send the 16th overall pick to Minnesota, who the Timberwolves used on Utah center, Justin Patton.
LaVine is coming off an ACL Injury, Dunn had a poor rookie season, and Lauri Markkanen could be good. Instead of those variables, the Timberwolves get a top ten player in Butler, a backup center to Karl-Anthony Towns, and a lot of excitement for the first time in years.
