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Predictions For The Northwest Division In 2016-17

By Carter Johnson

Dec 23, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) attempts a shot against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) attempts a shot against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 01: Danilo Gallinari (8) of the Denver Nuggets rubs the head of Nikola Jokic (15) after he walks off the court for a timeout during the second half of the Nuggets' 112-93 win. The Denver Nuggets hosted the Toronto Raptors at the Pepsi Center on Monday, February 1, 2015. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – FEBRUARY 01: Danilo Gallinari (8) of the Denver Nuggets rubs the head of Nikola Jokic (15) after he walks off the court for a timeout during the second half of the Nuggets’ 112-93 win. The Denver Nuggets hosted the Toronto Raptors at the Pepsi Center on Monday, February 1, 2015. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

5. Denver Nuggets

2015-16 Record: 33-49 (4th in Northwest Division)
2016-17 Prediction: 28-54 (Last in Northwest Division) 

In the five years since the exodus of Carmelo Anthony, the Denver Nuggets have struggled with one monumental problem: the lack of star power.

Although this current roster still doesn’t have that, it has several solid players with tons of promise.

Serbian center Nikola Jokic burst onto the scene out of obscurity by averaging 10.3 points and 7.7 rebounds in 55 starts. His unique versatility and double-double performances earned him an All-Rookie First Team selection and a third place finish in Rookie of the Year voting.

Point guard Emmanuel Mudiay struggled adapting to the NBA throughout his rookie season, but showed signs of promise including this 27-point, 11-rebound performance against the Philadelphia 76ers:

The Nuggets also still have several key veterans from their days of contention, including Wilson Chandler, Kenneth Faried and Danilo Gallinari, as well as a 2015-16 Sixth Man of the Year candidate in Will Barton and a sweet-shooting rookie in Jamal Murray.

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    • However, injuries have consistently plagued the majority of the Nuggets’ roster for some time now and that was the case again in 2015-16.

    Chandler missed the entire season with a labral tear in his right hip after signing a multi-year extension while Gallinari only appeared in 53 contests due to an ankle injury, making it the second consecutive season that he missed 25 or more games.

    The injury bug also caused key contributors in Jusuf Nurkic and Joffrey Lauvergne to miss significant time as well.

    It’s also not a good sign that rookie Malik Beasley has already dealt with a significant foot injury as he’s recovering from surgery on a stress fracture in his leg this offseason.

    One would usually write this off as a bad spell for the Nuggets last season, but all of these players have significant injury histories which suggest their durability can’t be relied upon.

    What’s more unfortunate is the fact that Chandler and Gallinari are relied upon heavily for scoring, which makes their absences all the more crucial.

    If everyone can stay healthy and the young duo of Mudiay and Jokic can expand upon their 2015-16 seasons, the Nuggets may best this prediction. However, consistent injury woes will likely hinder them from improving upon a 30-win season next year.

    Next: No. 4