Northwest Division team-by-team capsules

Capsules for the NBAs Northwest Division teams, listed in predicted order of divisional finish by AP Basketball Writer Jon Krawczynski:

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NORTHWEST DIVISION

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

LAST SEASON: 59-23, lost to San Antonio 4-2 in Western Conference finals.

STARTING FIVE: G Russell Westbrook (21.8 ppg, 6.9 apg, 5.7 rpg), G Reggie Jackson (13.1 ppg, 4.1 apg, 3.5 rpg), F Kevin Durant (32.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 5.5 apg), F Serge Ibaka (15.1 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 2.7 bpg), C Steven Adams (3.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 0.7 bpg).

KEY ADDITIONS: G Anthony Morrow (free agent, Pelicans), F Mitch McGary (draft), G Sebastian Telfair (free agent, China).

KEY LOSSES: G Thabo Sefolosha (trade, Hawks), F Caron Butler (free agent, Pistons), C Hasheem Thabeet (free agent, 76ers), G Derek Fisher (retired).

COACH: Scott Brooks, eighth season.

EYES ON: Westbrook. With Kevin Durant out for the early part of the season with a Jones fracture in his right foot, Westbrook, a three-time All-Star with top-shelf athleticism and the confidence to match, will be relied upon to carry the load. While Westbrook sat out for two months last season recovering from knee surgery, Durant was a dominant scorer, yet, he kept his teammates involved and they flourished around him. Westbrook, generally considered a top-five talent, has an unexpected chance to prove he can do the same.

Continued here:
Northwest Division team-by-team capsules