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Can the Utah Jazz Win the Northwest Division?

By Jared Woodcox

Mar 24, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) is congratulated by center Enes Kanter (11) after a play against the Utah Jazz during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) is congratulated by center Enes Kanter (11) after a play against the Utah Jazz during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) dribbles the ball against Utah Jazz forward Trey Lyles (41) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Jazz defeated the Nuggets 100-84. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) dribbles the ball against Utah Jazz forward Trey Lyles (41) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Jazz defeated the Nuggets 100-84. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets will likely be the least worrisome of the Jazz’s division opponents. While Denver certainly has a handful of young players with tremendous upside, they’re still more than likely a few years separated from being a playoff-caliber team, let alone a division-winning challenger.

Nevertheless, Denver still isn’t a team that the Jazz can take for granted. With young talented wings such as Emmanuel Mudiay and Gary Harris complemented by veterans such as Kenneth Faried and Danilo Gallinari, this is a team that will be capable of surprising top teams when the chips fall just right.

With the additions of three high-potential first round picks in Jamal Murray, Juan Hernangomez, and Malik Beasley, Denver is clearly prepping for the future. And while there will be some clear growing pains and lots of inconsistency, they have enough raw talent and athleticism to catch an unprepared team off guard.

Yet, with that being said, so long as the Jazz are focused and play to their potential when facing off against the Nuggets, this is one opponent that shouldn’t poise any sort of threat of claiming the Northwest Division title.

Next: Minnesota Timberwolves

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