This was not a banner year for the Northwest division. The only team to make the playoffs were the Trail Blazers, who were easily bounced in the first round by an injured Grizzlies squad.
But that's likely to change. With more experience for Utah and less injuries for Oklahoma City, the Northwest is poised for a bounceback.
Here are each team's draft needs.
Portland Trail Blazers
Picks in 2015 NBA Draft: No. 23 , No. 50
Area of Need: Frontcourt depth
Everything in Portland hinges on LaMarcus Aldridge. If Aldridge re-signs, Portland will reload for yet another run at a championship. If he leaves, a rebuild might be in store for the Blazers.
Other key free agents include Wesley Matthews, Robin Lopez and potentially Arron Afflalo. The Blazers have built a strong identity around continuity and a balanced offense, but changes could be on the horizon.
Potential Targets: Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky; Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA
With or without Aldridge, the Blazers could use some help in the frontcourt. Chris Kaman gave them decent minutes, but he's old and would become expendable in the event of a rebuild. That leaves Meyers Leonard - who emerged as a decent 3-point threat last season - as the only frontcourt prospect for the future.
To that end, snagging a high-upside player like Lyles or Looney could give Portland someone to pair with Leonard.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Picks in 2015 NBA Draft: No. 14, No. 48
Area of Need: 3-and-D wing
The Thunder are in win-now mode. With Kevin Durant's free agency looming in 2016, Oklahoma City can ill afford another journey down the draft-and-stash route.
When healthy, the Thunder have all the makings of an elite team, with Russell Westbrook manning point, Serge Ibaka protecting the paint, and Durant raining jump shots from every inch of the court. They even have an offense-defense platoon at center with Steven Adams and Enes Kanter.
Potential Targets: Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas; Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona
The one thing the Thunder lack is a shutdown wing. Andre Roberson is a decent defender, but he's extremely limited offensively.
Grabbing a prospect like Oubre or Hollis-Jefferson could help fill the void. Both players are wings with ridiculous 7-foot-plus wingspans that project as NBA-ready defenders. Oubre has more upside, while Hollis-Jefferson is more polished.
Utah Jazz
Picks in 2015 NBA Draft: No. 12, No. 42
Area of Need: Stretch-four, backcourt playmaker
The Jazz are a team on the rise. After dealing away Kanter and implementing breakout star Rudy Gobert at center, they finished the season on a 20-11 run.
There are plenty of young pieces in place. Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors are locked into cost-effective long-term deals, while Dante Exum and Gobert are high-upside prospects on dirt-cheap rookie deals.
Potential Targets: Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia; Frank Kaminsky, PF, Wisconsin
The Jazz have a strong frontcourt in place for the future, but they could use a shooter. Favors's range is limited to the elbow area and Gobert strictly operates around the basket.
Kaminsky would be an obvious fit. The 7-foot senior is NBA-ready and has a strong pick-and-pop game. He shot 41.6 percent from deep last season and is a willing, if limited, defender.
Should he drop, Porzingis is another intriguing option. He boasts a more well-rounded skillset, but is much younger and needs to fill out to stick in the NBA. However, Porzingis has shown to be a strong pick-and-roll finisher and boasts a lightning quick release that ranges out to the 3-point line.
Denver Nuggets
Picks in 2015 NBA Draft: No. 7, No. 57
Area of Need: Highest upside
The Nuggets are primed for a rebuild. There's a decent core in place, but prized piece Ty Lawson is unhappy and a deal could be made. After two disappointing seasons, the Nuggets desperately need an infusion of youth.
As such, there isn't a specific need. The Nuggets should draft for the best player available in hopes of snagging the superstar player that has eluded them since Carmelo Anthony forced his way out of town in 2011.
Potential Targets: Mario Hezonja, SF, Croatia; Willie Trill Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky
The Nuggets shouldn't hesitate to take a swing. There should be plenty of high-end talent available with the seventh pick and no position is necessarily out of bounds.
Hezonja represents a worthy gamble. The 20-year-old has all the makings of a star - slick handles, athleticism, good size, plenty of shooting - but there are question marks about his mindset. He has a tendency to get tunnel vision, and consequently rode the bench for a strong Barcelona club this season.
Cauley-Stein is a safer choice. He's widely considered the best defender in the draft and can conceivably guard all five positions. His offensive skillset is limited, but he could anchor the Nuggets in the middle for years to come.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Picks in 2015 NBA Draft: No. 1, No. 31, No. 36 (from Houston)
Area of Need: Center
With Ricky Rubio and Andrew Wiggins in place, the future is bright in Minnesota. They just need a center for the future.
Potential Targets: Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Kentucky; Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke
The Timberwolves can't go wrong with either Okafor or Towns.
Okafor is bigger and more polished in the post. He stands at 7-foot, 270 pounds and can finish around the basket with either hand. Okafor has a bevy of post moves at his disposal, which he used to help Duke to the NCAA championship.
Towns is no slouch himself. He has all the makings of a potential two-way superstar. He has a blossoming post game, tremendous defensive instincts and stands 7-foot with a 7-foot-4 wingspan.
