The Northwest division was the worst of the three western conference divisions last season. Only one team made the playoffs, and the Trail Blazers were bounced relatively easy in the first round. The Oklahoma City Thunder were injury-stricken and should improve, but the rest of the division has a lot of ground to gain to get back into the playoff hunt. Let's see how the Northwest division fared in the draft this year, and whether any of these teams will see a boost in performance from these rookies.

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Timberwolves have already assembled a young, athletic core over the last season or two. Now, they add to that core by acquiring one of the most highly touted draft picks in recent memory in Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns overtook Jahlil Okafor as the most likely number one overall pick late in the college season, and for good reason. He is tremendously skilled offensively, and is also adept as a shot blocker and defender. Minnesota had the first pick, but they may have also had the steal of the draft.

The Wolves also added point guard Tyus Jones late in the first round as well. He should slide in nicely as a backup point guard, but his lack of elite speed or size could limit him going forward. He’s more of a project, but don’t fault Minnesota for taking him late in the first.

Grade: A

Denver Nuggets

With the seventh pick, Denver had an interesting decision to make. With players like Frank Kaminsky, Stanley Johnson, and Justise Winslow still available, they went with a slightly riskier option in Emmanuel Mudiay. Mudiay is a relative unknown, having spent the last season in China and injured, but his talent is unquestioned. He could have easily gone third overall, and now settles into a situation where Ty Lawson no longer will dominate the minutes at the point guard position. The Nuggets are clearly gambling that Mudiay will be a star, and if that turns out then this pick will be a steal. Mudiay has a lot of improvements to make, but he is a great prospect and has a high ceiling in his future.

Grade: B+

Utah Jazz

The Jazz have a very young team that is built for the future, and they have many people saying their future is in good hands. Utah took another step forward by adding Trey Lyles, a solid power forward who has a lot of potential and whose potential hasn’t been tapped yet. Lyles has a versatile game offensively and is rangy on defense. He can blossom behind Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors to add depth on the frontline. The Jazz also drafted Olivier Hanlan, an explosive scoring guard from Boston College. He can provide points off the bench and playmaking skills for the second unit.

Grade: B+

Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City is the rare case of a championship-level team that found its way into the lottery. Coming back next season with a (hopefully) healthy Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Serge Ibaka means they are potentially a championship caliber team. When they traded Reggie Jackson, a major weakness was backup point guard. They addressed this by drafting Cameron Payne, who could be a steal or a bust given his college career. He played against lower quality competition at Murray State, but he dominated, much like Damian Lillard and many others before him. Payne will benefit from the team around him, and all of this together seems like a slam-dunk.

OKC also added Dakari Johnson, another Kentucky Wildcat who fell to the late second round due to a lack of offensive production and being showcased with so much talent around him. He is a big body who could develop into a quality backup center. Steven Adams is the center for this team, but OKC needed a potential backup for the future, and Johnson fits the bill.

Grade: A-

Portland Trail Blazers

Portland drafted at 23 and selected Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, but then sent him to Brooklyn in order to acquire Mason Plumlee and Pat Connaughton, who the Nets had taken at 41 overall. Connaughton is an interesting prospect, as he has surprising athleticism (44 inch max vertical) and can shoot from distance. He could project into a solid wing player if he builds his body and can continue to shoot. It’s clear the trade was mostly for Plumlee, who was mildly productive in Brooklyn and is still very young as well. Portland is in rebuilding mode, so youth and athleticism were on the agenda here. At 54, the Trail Blazers also selected Daniel Diez, who is a rangy forward with athleticism and a shooting stroke. He could develop into a nice player in a couple years, but for now will stay in Europe. Overall, Portland could have used a player like Hollis-Jefferson, but it is clear they coveted Plumlee more. In that regard, they accomplished what they set out to in this year’s draft.

Grade: B+