Denver Nuggets
They’ve already had some close losses that they may well rue at season’s end, especially if they hover around .500, as appears likely. Still, they’re an intriguing and improving outfit and Nikola Jokic and Jusuf Nurkic are beastly big man prospects who are already excellent plus/minus contributors. Jamal Murray has already a scorer’s instincts, but there is still plenty of refinement to come, not least to his flailing defence. Last year: 33-49 So far: 3-4
Minnesota Timberwolves
Projected to make a major leap this year around the ridiculously precocious talents of Karl Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins and the hard-nosed defence of Tom Thibodeau, the Wolves have so far frustrated. Neither Towns nor Wiggins have reached their potential as stoppers and Dieng, recently extended for four years by Minnesota, has not looked like a good fit alongside Towns. Ricky Rubio’s injury has gifted big minutes to Kriss Dunn, who has been as blindingly fast and explosively athletic as advertised, though he has struggled with his shot so far. They figure to improve considerably, but they need wins soon to stay in touch. Last year: 29-53 So far: 2-5
Oklahoma City Thunder
In the wake of Kevin Durant’s (still kind of surprising) departure, Russell Westbrook’s one-man wrecking crew has been even more fun and compulsively watchable than expected, but it seems hugely unlikely he, or the team he is precariously balancing on his shoulders, can keep up this pace. With an eye-popping 42.4% usage rate and a scoring average of 31.1, his work has been spectacular, though almost certainly unsustainable. Stephen Adams has brought neat spin moves and toughness, but recent acquisition Victor Oladipo is still a work in progress as a two-way star. Last year: 55-27 So far: 6-2
Portland Trailblazers
Damian Lillard looms as a sneaky MVP candidate, but outside his laudable production (30.0 ppg and 1.4 offensive win shares, good for second in the league behind James Harden) it is unclear if the retooled squad has improved on last year’s unanticipated playoffs showing. They lack a high-level big man and rank a lowly 25th in rebounding, but the octane-fuelled backcourt of Lillard and McCollum should be good for another playoff run. Last year: 44-38 So far: 5-4
Utah Jazz
Despite missing Gordon Hayward at the start of the year, the Jazz are firmly in the race for a top 4 seed in the West. With canny veteran pickup Joe Johnson holding the fort, they’re near the top of the league in rim protection, three point percentage, defensive rebounding and points scored, suggesting a balanced and enviably deep squad. George Hill has been a productive addition and Rodney Hood continues his upwards ascent. The return of Dante Exum has given them another tenacious perimeter defender, though his ball-handling remains a drawback. Last year: 40-42 So far: 5-4
The Evening Game 