Northwest Division (NBA)

The Northwest Division, part of the NBA's Western Conference, was formed for the 2004–05 season when the league grew to 30 teams. Its five original members were the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, Seattle SuperSonics, and Utah Jazz. The SuperSonics relocated to become the Oklahoma City Thunder before the 2008–09 season, staying in the division. It remains the most geographically spread out of the NBA's six divisions. Since the 2021–22 season, the division champion earns the Sam Jones Trophy, a 200-pound crystal ball. The award honors Sam Jones, a Hall of Fame guard for the Boston Celtics who later served as an assistant coach for the Jazz during their inaugural 1974–75 season in New Orleans.