Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hoops Tonight: Northwest Division Predictions
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hoops Tonight
Date: October 5, 2025
Episode Theme: A deep-dive season preview of the NBA’s Northwest Division, covering the Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, and Utah Jazz. Host Jason LT analyzes offseason moves, roster strengths and weaknesses, player development, and predicts each team's outlook for the 2025–26 season.
Episode Overview
The episode provides a thorough team-by-team analysis of the Northwest Division in the NBA ahead of the 2025–26 season. Jason LT breaks down offseason transactions, expected internal developments, and the critical factors that will shape each team's fate. Key focus is placed on three contenders—Nuggets, Thunder, Timberwolves—while also touching on the rebuilding situations in Portland and Utah.
Denver Nuggets: "Best Team in the NBA"
Segment starts: [02:53]
Offseason Recap
- Notable Departures: Vlado Khan, DeAndre Jordan, Michael Porter Jr. (MPJ), Dario Saric, Russell Westbrook
- Key Additions: Cam Johnson, Tim Hardaway Jr., Bruce Brown, Jonas Valanciunas, Duron Holmes, Kessler Edwards
Roster Strength & Upgrades
- Denver’s talent influx is “massive,” improving both the starting lineup and bench.
- Cam Johnson is highlighted for better ball-handling and defense compared to MPJ, despite being a slightly worse catch-and-shoot option.
"Cam Johnson is a better player than MPJ, but I also think he’s a better fit than MPJ in this phase of the Nuggets’ contention window." — Jason LT [03:46]
- Jonas Valanciunas is a key upgrade over DeAndre Jordan as a backup center and allows for greater stylistic continuity when Nikola Jokic is off the floor.
Tactical Improvements
- Emphasis on “options” for coach Mike Malone to prevent disastrous non-Jokic minutes.
- New additions facilitate more staggered lineups, reduce reliance on stars, and help maintain defensive intensity throughout the season.
“In general, this depth, it gives them options… They have so much more in the way of options. He’s looking at his hand of cards and he has like three or four different ways he can try to attack the situation. That did not used to be the case.” — Jason LT [10:40]
Expectations
- Jason predicts the Nuggets will have a top-12 to 15 defense and that health plus roster fit make them his pick to win the title.
Notable Quotes
"I think this is the best team in the league. I think Jokic is a substantially better player than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. I think this roster is tailor-made to his strengths... if they can stay healthy... I think they're going to win the trophy." — Jason LT [17:20]
Timestamps:
- In-depth Denver analysis begins [02:53]
- Cam Johnson fit [05:35]
- Defensive/bench versatility [09:10]
- Nuggets’ title outlook [16:35]
Oklahoma City Thunder: "Title Defense & Internal Leaps"
Segment starts: [21:54]
Offseason Recap
- Key Moves: Retained core; Nikola Topic returns from injury to address ball-handling depth.
Keys for Repeat Success
- Internal Improvement is Crucial: The roster is mostly unchanged, so growth from within (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren) is required as the West strengthens around them.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA)
- Needs to develop more consistent game management—was at times too scoring-focused, taking the team out of rhythm in losses.
"Shea had a remarkable regular season statistically, but his efficiency plummeted in the postseason and I thought his inconsistent game management was a big part of how they had such an up and down postseason." — Jason LT [22:46]
Jalen Williams (J-Dub)
- Showed star flashes but needs more consistency, especially in 3-point shooting.
Chet Holmgren
- Already a defensive force, but the Thunder’s success hinges on his offensive development, particularly finishing at the rim and catch-and-shoot shooting.
“I genuinely believe Chet has Anthony Davis level two-way potential.” — Jason LT [26:32]
Depth and Competition
- Emphasizes the brutal competitiveness of the West—OKC’s 68 wins last year were built largely on Eastern Conference dominance.
Expectations
- Thunder are “on the same tier” as Denver, but need real leaps from key young guys to repeat as champions.
"If they get substantial leaps out of Shea, out of J-Dub, out of Chet, they'll kick everyone's ass and they'll hoist the trophy again as the first repeat champion since 2018." — Jason LT [31:45]
Timestamps:
- Thunder overview and offseason [21:54]
- Player development focus [22:20 to 30:40]
- West competitiveness/statistics [30:40]
Minnesota Timberwolves: “Can They Leap?”
Segment starts: [32:10]
Offseason Recap
- Losses: Nikhil Alexander-Walker, depth pieces
- Additions: Joan Behringer (raw prospect), focus on developing younger bench players
Playoff Fortitude vs. Offensive Limitations
- Timberwolves are lauded as a physically overwhelming playoff team with an elite defense, but returning issues include:
- Offensive struggles against top defenses
- Reliance on Anthony Edwards (“Ant”) and Julius Randle to make strides, especially in mid-range/post scoring and offensive consistency
“If your superstar gets outplayed to that extent, it’s almost impossible to overcome.” — Jason LT, about Edwards being outscored by SGA [34:22]
Path Forward
- Ant’s summer focus on post and mid-range game is highlighted as positive.
- Role players and coaching (Chris Finch) need incremental gains, but the team's fate primarily hinges on superstars' improvement.
Outlook
- Minnesota could win the conference but must solve its offensive issues and hope for bracket luck.
“The pathway's there for Minnesota, like it’s easy to see... You get Minnesota, Denver in the conference finals, repeat of what happened two years ago, all of a sudden you’re in the finals and you’re probably favored when you get there.” — Jason LT [39:33]
Timestamps:
- Timberwolves analysis [32:10]
- Ant’s offensive development/statistics [34:00]
- Randle and role-player fit [36:56]
Portland Trail Blazers: “Development and Denny’s Ascension”
Segment starts: [41:22]
Offseason Recap
- Departures: DeAndre Ayton, Anfernee Simons
- Additions: Drew Holiday, Damian Lillard (injured), Yang Hansen (draft), Donovan Clingan
Youth Movement & Emerging Talent
- Focus on young talent: Shaden Sharpe (potential scorer but raw), and in particular, Deni Avdija’s late-season breakout is described as “real.”
“Deni Avdija being potentially a legitimate shot creator in this league is something that I think is real and I’m really, really excited to watch him this year.” — Jason LT [43:36]
2025–26 Goals
- Settle if Deni can be a championship-level #2 option.
- Assess foundation with Simons/Sharpe/Scoot Henderson (if healthy).
- Portland is “a really fun League Pass team,” projected for 30-35 wins.
Timestamps:
- Portland preview [41:22]
- Deni Avdija deep-dive [42:28]
Utah Jazz: “No Clear Direction”
Segment starts: [44:50]
Offseason Recap
- Departures: Jordan Clarkson, John Collins, Collin Sexton, Johnny Juzang, Jaden Springer
- Additions: Mo Bamba, Kyle Anderson, Kevin Love, Georges Niang, Yusuf Nurkic; Focus on rookies Ace Bailey, Walter Clayton Jr.
Lack of Identity or Star Power
- Jason critiques Utah’s stagnation and lack of a franchise cornerstone.
- Ace Bailey has upside; Lauri Markkanen is described as a great #2 but misaligned with timeline.
- Calls on front office to consider trading Markkanen to jumpstart the rebuild.
“I like Lauri Markkanen as a potential number two for the right superstar... but he’s 28 years old now, so I’m not sure how he fits Utah’s timeline unless you have a plan to bring in a superstar that’s older.” — Jason LT [45:12]
Outlook
- Utah’s season is about evaluating young talent and, potentially, monitoring Markkanen trade rumors.
Timestamps:
- Utah segment [44:50]
Memorable Quotes
- “This is quite simply the best roster that Nikola Jokic has had to work with in his entire NBA career.” — Jason LT [03:31]
- “If they get substantial leaps out of Shea, out of J-Dub, out of Chet, they'll kick everyone's ass and they'll hoist the trophy again as the first repeat champion since 2018.” — Jason LT [31:45]
- “Anthony Edwards got his ass kicked last year. You don’t think he’s coming back with a little more of an attitude?” — Jason LT [31:02]
- “Portland’s going to be a really fun League Pass team this year.” — Jason LT [44:03]
Conclusion & Next Episode
Jason wraps by reiterating his high confidence in Denver, while noting that OKC and Minnesota are close and could threaten if their stars take the next leap. Portland and Utah are developing, with all eyes on young talents and foundational building. The next episode will shift focus to the NBA’s Central Division.
Key Segment Timestamps
| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------|-------------| | Nuggets Analysis | 02:53–18:48 | | Thunder Analysis | 21:54–32:10 | | Timberwolves Analysis | 32:10–41:22 | | Trail Blazers Analysis | 41:22–44:50 | | Jazz Analysis | 44:50–45:22 |
For listeners seeking sharp, data-driven, and direct NBA analysis with practical team-building insights and bold predictions, this episode is essential.