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Northwest Division: Top Five Players

By Perry Waggoner

Apr 29, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) hugs guard CJ McCollum (3) after defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 106-103 in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) hugs guard CJ McCollum (3) after defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 106-103 in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /
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Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) hugs guard CJ McCollum (3). Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) hugs guard CJ McCollum (3). Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /

A look at the Northwest Division’s top players in the post Kevin Durant Era

For the second year in a row, a Northwest team was spurned by their beloved and most well known star. I admit, Oklahoma City isn’t exactly anyone’s perception of what “northwest” truly is, but you get my point. For a division that routinely has been one of the strongest in the NBA, the last two Independence Days have not been kind. We all remember the divorce between LaMarcus Aldridge and the Trail Blazers in favor of the contending Spurs last year, but now it’s the Thunder’s turn to feel similar heartbreak.

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Even before the exit of Kevin Durant, the division’s landscape had changed dramatically. From the draft selections of Kris Dunn (Minnesota), Jamal Murray and Malik Beasley (Denver). To the trades for Victor Oladipo (Oklahoma City) and George Hill (Utah), it looks much different than it did just a month ago. For better or for worse, Portland’s most frequent competitors will all have new toys to play with.

This recent shake-up begs the question: Who are the best players in this ever-changing Northwest Division? While most of them are more familiar names, the absence of Durant shakes up the top of the rankings. Find out who makes the cut in RCP’s ranking of the top five players in the Northwest Division.

Next: Honorable Mentions