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3 ways the Carmelo Anthony trade affects the Portland Trail Blazers

By Angelo Mendoza

Portland Trail Blazers, Mandatory Credit: (Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images)
Portland Trail Blazers, Mandatory Credit: (Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Northwest Division

The Northwest Division will arguably be the toughest division in the NBA this season. Each of the five teams in that division — the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Portland Trail Blazers, the Utah Jazz, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Denver Nuggets — are expected to make the playoffs this year.

Prior to the Carmelo Anthony trade, I would have considered the Blazers to be a contender for the Northwest Division title this season. Following the Carmelo Anthony trade, I highly believe the Thunder are the second-best team in the NBA, and they are the most likely team to take the division title, as well.

So not only did the Blazers lose out on a chance to add Anthony as the fourth cog in their machine, but they also end up allowing a division rival to swipe him up. Safe to say Portland’s battles with OKC this season will be quite interesting.

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