NORTHWEST DIVISION
Utah Jazz
Last year: 51-31 (first; lost in the conference finals).
Coach: Jerry Sloan (1,035-689).
Key additions: First-round pick Morris Almond, from Rice, was one of the top pure shooters in college. He will try to crack the guard rotation.
Key losses: Guard Derek Fisher, who provided great leadership, returned to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Outlook: The Jazz have one of the top point guards in Deron Williams (16.2 points per game, 9.3 assists) and one of the best power forwards in Carlos Boozer (20.9 ppg., 11.7 ppg.). The key will be whether forward Andrei Kirilenko (8.3 ppg.) can rebound from a subpar season.
Denver Nuggets
Last year: 45-37 (second; lost in the first round of the playoffs).
Coach: George Karl (829-582).
Key additions: Power forward Kenyon Martin isn't really an addition, but he played only two games last season because of a knee injury. Point guard Chucky Atkins signed from Memphis. Former 76er Steven Hunter will attempt to fit in the frontcourt mix.
Key losses: Point guard Steve Blake signed with Portland.
Outlook: The offense should be proficient with Carmelo Anthony (28.9 ppg.) and former Sixer Allen Iverson (26.3 ppg.). Even with defensive player of the year Marcus Camby (3.3 blocks), the Nuggets are below average defensively.
Seattle SuperSonics
Last year: 31-51 (fifth).
Coach: P.J. Carlesimo (183-222).
Key additions: First-round forwards Kevin Durant (Texas) and Jeff Green (Georgetown) are building blocks. Former St. Joseph's guard Delonte West and forward Wally Szczerbiak were traded from Boston. Center Kurt Thomas was traded from Phoenix. Carlesimo takes over his third NBA team.
Key losses: All-star guard Ray Allen was traded to Boston. Forward Rashard Lewis signed with Orlando.
Outlook: The Sonics are not good enough to earn a postseason spot. The leading returning scorer is forward Chris Wilcox (13.5 ppg.), but point guard Luke Ridnour (11 ppg., 5.2 apg.) has yet to put it together.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Last year: 32-49 (third).
Coach: Randy Wittman (74-132).
Key additions: Forward Al Jefferson (16 ppg., 11 rebounds) was the best player acquired from Boston. Forward Gerald Green, another ex-Celtic, could be a contributor. First-round swingman Corey Brewer, from Florida, will bring a defensive mind-set. Forwards Antoine Walker and Wayne Simien and center Michael Doleac were traded from Miami.
Key losses: Kevin Garnett was traded to Boston, and Ricky Davis was dealt to Miami.
