NBA Offseason Wrap Up: Out West, the Warriors reign supreme

DENVER, CO – APRIL 05: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Jeff Teague #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Pepsi Center on April 5, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

TIER 3: SMALL MARKET, BIG TALENT

Nuggets, Timberwolves, Pelicans

In a league where the biggest markets have historically dominated (there have been 69 NBA champions and the five biggest markets – New York, Los Angeles, Golden State, Chicago, and Boston – have won 46, exactly two thirds of them), patient rebuilds around young stars has this group on the right path moving forward.

With Anthony Davis and Nikola Jokic locked up for the long-term and Karl-Anthony Towns‘ extension on the way, these three small-market teams should be primed to be competitive for years to come around their historically-talented young bigs.