With the NBA season rapidly approaching, and most major offseason moves done, it’s time to reflect on what changes and new faces there will be on each NBA franchise. The free agency class was highlighted by two superstars and the draft class was one of the weakest in recent memory. With training camp going on the horizon, fantasy leagues starting and the preseason approaching let’s see where each team in the Northwest division stands.

Minnesota Timberwolves

After an injury riddled season the Timberwolves finished dead last in the Northwest division. Before the start of the season hopes were high for this young team. Both Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love missed extensive time last year to injuries, which caused the team to struggle tremendously. However both of their young stars are healthy, and they have added some great players over the offseason. The biggest additions to the team are Chase Budinger and Kevin Martin.

Martin is a veteran shooting guard who should make an immediate impact. As the sixth man for the Thunder last year Martin averaged 14 points and three rebounds in 29 minutes per game. Martin should finally be the answer at shooting guard for the Timberwolves. The other major addition is small forward Chase Budinger. Budinger should start immediately for the Timberwolves. In 22 minutes of action Budinger averaged nine points and three rebounds a game. Budinger should thrive as a starter and see improvement in every part of his game. Two other notable additions are rookies Gorgui Dieng and Shabazz Muhammad. Dieng looks to be the backup center while Muhammad will be fighting for time at the two and the three. Other additions are Corey Brewer, Dante Cunningham and Ronny Turiaf.

Portland Trailblazers

Last year the Blazers were led by rookie sensation Damian Lillard, but even with a great young point guard and solid starting five, the Blazers struggled tremendously. The main cause of their lack of success was their lack of bench production. They made sure to change that by adding many dynamic players in the offseason. With the 10th pick in the 2013 draft the Blazers selected C.J. McCollum. McCollum is a very versatile guard that can play the point and on the wing. He can score in bunches but can also distribute the ball very well. McCollum will be splitting time at the one and the two, backing up Wesley Matthews and Damian Lillard. Another addition the Blazers made was acquiring center Robin Lopez in a trade with New Orleans.

While Lopez isn’t a top tier center, he can get the job done. He can rebound and defend very effectively. The Blazers added another scoring guard in Mo Williams. Entering his 11th season the veteran point guard has career averages of 12 points and five assists. Williams looks to be the first man off the bench for the Blazers and he should improve their bench scoring greatly. The last major addition by the Blazers is small forward Dorell Wright. Wright will be backing up Nicolas Batum and should do a fine job. He has career averages of nine points and three rebounds per game. Another interesting addition is forward Thomas Robinson. Robinson is a young and talented power forward and he could see some minutes backing up LaMarcus Aldridge. If the Blazers end up trading Aldridge, than he could be thrust into the starting role. After adding so many offensive weapons to their bench the Blazers are looking to compete for a playoff spot this year.

Utah Jazz

The Jazz nearly made the playoffs this past year. Unfortunately they won’t even come close to competing this year. The Jazz decided to look towards the future as they let their starting power forward and center walk. The Jazz also decided to not pursue any big name free agents, instead letting their young talent develop. The biggest additions for the Jazz were through the draft. They drafted point guard Trey Burke and center Rudy Gobert. Burke is an explosive point guard that should start immediately. Even though he struggled mightily in summer league, he has a very bright future.

He will certainly have some growing pains but he should become an impact player. Rudy Gobert is a 7’1” monster of a man. Early on he will be a rebounding and defensive specialist but he can certainly develop into a more rounded player. The other two additions that should make an impact are center Andris Biedrins and forward Richard Jefferson. Both of these players are simply role players but they should see some playing time backing up Enes Kanter and Gordon Hayward.

Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets had a disappointing end to an otherwise very successful season. This offseason the Nuggets parted ways with Andre Iguodala and needed to add some players to replace his production. One key addition was power forward/center J.J. Hickson. While starting for the Blazers last year Hickson averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds. Hickson’s production will drop off this year because he will be backing up Kenneth Faried. Hickson is still a fantastic rebounder and efficient post scorer and should make an impact for the Nuggets.

The Nuggets also added shooting guard Randy Foye. Foye played for the Jazz last year averaging 10 points and two assists per game. Randy will be splitting time with Evan Fournier at the two and he should see a significant amount of playing time. The last major addition the Nuggets made was the signing of point guard Nate Robinson. Robinson made a huge impact in the playoffs for the Bulls last season. He will be backing up Ty Lawson and will provide a great scoring option of the bench for Denver.

Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder roster remains very similar to last year’s team. The Thunder had very few needs to address this offseason, which allowed them to stick with their home grown talent. The only major addition the Thunder made was selecting center Steven Adams 12th overall. Adams is an extremely raw talent and he won’t contribute too much his first couple of years. He will be asked to rebound and hold down the paint when Kendrick Perkins needs a breather. The only other addition the Thunder made was signing small forward Ryan Gomes. Gomes will see limited action backing up Kevin Durant. This is a young team with an excellent core group of players.