NBA Western Conference: Most important need for each Northwest Division team heading into the NBA Draft

The NBA Draft 2019 is just around the corner. Only recently, the Toronto Raptors shook the NBA world by beating the defending champs Golden State Warriors to win the NBA Championship.

Just a few days later, the Los Angeles Lakers again made the spotlight by making the biggest trade of this off-season so far. They traded for the services of Anthony Davis and have now become one of the favorites for the 2019-20 championship.

The rest of the NBA will also try and improve their roster. The injuries to Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant has made the NBA totally open. Many teams have a good chance of doing great in the playoffs next season. A couple of additions to the roster through the NBA Draft can give them good depth

Let's have a look at the most important need for each Northwest Division team heading into the NBA Draft:

#1 Minnesota Timberwolves (Point guard and forward depth)

Minnesota Timberwolves v Detroit Pistons

Picks held - #11, #43

The Timberwolves have one of the best young prospects in the NBA in Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns is already a superstar and is still very young. But the huge contract of Andrew Wiggins has tied the hands of the Wolves, making them unable to make any splashes in the free agency market.

The Timberwolves lack depth in frontcourt and in the point guard position. Derrick Rose had a great season but he may not re-sign with the team. Jeff Teague may also be dealt. If the Wolves can grab someone great at the point guard position from this draft then they can immediately move back into playoff contention. They also need some frontcourt depth.

Brandon Clarke can be an unconventional prospect in the forward position. The Wolves are also linked with Rui Hachimura from Japan.

#2 Oklahoma City Thunder (Frontcourt depth)

Oklahoma City Thunder v Portland Trail Blazers - Game Five

Pick held - #21

The Oklahoma City Thunder were one of the major disappointments in the playoffs. They were playing great basketball last season and were considered as one of the favorites to dethrone the Warriors. But they struggled after the All-Star break and carried that streaky form into the playoffs as they bowed out in the first round for a third consecutive year.

The Thunder need some depth at the frontcourt position. They are one of the teams that can take advantage of the Warriors' injuries next season. Someone like P.J. Hunter or Mfiondu Kabengele can be targeted by the Thunder to improve their frontcourt options.

#3 Utah Jazz (Back-court depth)

Picks held - #23, #53

One of the biggest weaknesses for the Jazz last season was the lack of backcourt options. Donovan Mitchell was their only reliable scorer. A reliable backcourt is key to success in today's NBA.

The Jazz have to look at the draft to grab a good backcourt prospect. They already have an All-Star guard in Mitchell. The Jazz can target the likes of Tyler Hero and Ty Jerome who can support Mitchell ably in the backcourt and help the franchise take their game to the next level.

#4 Portland Trail Blazers (Wing and forward depth)

Portland Trail Blazers will be looking to have another go at the conference

Pick held - #25

The Portland Trail Blazers made the Western Conference Finals in the recently concluded season. They had a great run in the playoffs and they have one of the best backcourts in the NBA in the form of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.

The one position where the Blazers lack real depth is at the small forward position. They didn't receive much production from Aminu and Harkless last season and will be looking at different options.

Cameron Johnson who is a lights out three-point shooter can be a great choice for the Portland Trail Blazers.

#5 Denver Nuggets (Wing depth)

Portland Trail Blazers v Denver Nuggets - Game Seven

Picks held - None

The Denver Nuggets finished second in the Western Conference standings. They also reached the Western Conference Semifinals where they lost to the Blazers in seven games.

The Nuggets have a great big man in Nikola Jokic. They also have good depth at the guard position. They should look to add more depth at the wing position.

The Nuggets will have the mid-level exception to work with in free agency, and they obviously don’t have a pick in this year’s draft (they sent their first-rounder to Brooklyn to move Kenneth Faried).