On The Prowl's Dan Slaubaugh and Seth Toupal discuss the mayhem in Minnesota. 

Dan: Jimmy Butler is still on the Wolves... Hahahaha... I need a drink (anyone that knows me personally knows that it takes a good amount for me to get to that point). What’s happened over the last few days is, as The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski recently tweeted, “just a disaster."

Seth: I’ve been a Timberwolves fan a long time. I can NEVER remember a single time where the franchise was as volatile and dysfunctional as it is right now. That includes the Kevin Garnett trade, but that doesn’t even hold a candle to this absolute nightmare. So, I too, will be having a drink.

Dan: There's a ton to unpack here, but my main problem throughout the entire process has been that Karl-Anthony Towns is getting the most heat from Butler. Yeah, that's right; the 22-year old transcendent center and most important person in the organization is getting called out when he has exceeded expectations in almost every way going into his fourth year in the league (obviously he still has a ways to go defensively). Regarding Andrew Wiggins, he deserves all the blame. I won’t back him up. But Towns does not deserve this much blow, and he's the one Jimmy's pointing fingers towards, rather than Tom Thibodeau -- who’s turned a manageable situation (Jimmy voiced his concerns to Thibs four days after last season ended) into a circus show (he literally pointed at the franchise's GM and said "You [bleeping] need me. You can't win without me."), due to his inability to address problems. While Butler may be correct on some fronts, there was probably a better way to let your emotions out than showing up (late) to practice and acting like you're still "the man" after skipping training camp and the first four preseason games. The worst thing is the Timberwolves (Thibs and Layden) were warned Butler would go HAM at practice and still sat idly by as it unfolded.

Seth: It is a triangle of dysfunction. Think about this; We have a star (I refuse to call him a superstar. Superstars don’t do this.) who wants out and, as a result, is throwing an absolutely mind-numbing tantrum, giving CALCULATED (it was 100 percent calculated what he did with ESPN) interviews with national media. We have a coach who is just sitting back and allowing it to happen because he appears to have 100 percent checked out. He is delusional for thinking that Butler would come back, but he also thinks that if anyone can convince him to come back, it would be him. Overall, I’m absolutely stunned that he would just sit back and let the whole thing happen. He just sat back and said nothing. What coach does that? What coach just allows a player to come in and take control of an entire practice? A coach that has lost the team, that’s who.
Oh and Glen Taylor? Feel free to say ANYTHING when you feel like getting involved. IF that ever happens.

Dan: So we are both clearly upset with both Butler and Thibodeau but I definitely think we are more upset at Thibodeau for letting it get this far. Ignoring Towns this summer, refusing to trade Butler when Butler has made it clear he’s good as gone after the season, and letting Jimmy (a player that has quit on his team) walk into the gym and go at their team’s franchise player are all fireable offenses. Yet, he’s still employed. Jimmy was right about a lot of things in his ESPN interview with Rachel Nichols, but he (and Thibs) have created a hostile work environment that would be difficult for anyone to succeed in. 
​
Seth: I keep going back to Butler once he left Chicago. We looked at that front office as being just a disaster: "HOW COULD THEY ALLOW HIM TO LEAVE?" Now we look at it and I’m sure it got to the same situation there as it has here. Except that they actually fired Tom Thibodeau lol!

Dan: Absolutely. What I want to do next is break down the situation piece by piece, and why I’m for Towns and Wiggins here:

1. Butler is leaving after this season. He doesn’t want to be here even currently. 
2. That makes Towns and Wiggins the two most important people in the organization because they are each signed for the next five seasons (KAT six). 
3. Thibs has created an atmosphere where Butler (the guy who doesn’t want to be on the team) can walk all over Towns and Wiggins without any consequences. Furthermore, a situation where one of his players can shame his teammates on ESPN without repercussion. 
4. It’s quite obvious Thibs and Butler’s tactics aren’t getting to Towns and Wiggins. Therefore, it is vital to put someone in charge with the ability and potential to make that happen. That is, if the Wolves want a future. 
5. In the ESPN interview, Butler said winning was his number one priority. Yet, he wants to be traded to Brooklyn and ordered the Wolves to re-structure his current contract for five years, $177.2 million. That would have gutted the team of useful players and decreased their chances of making any noise come playoff time. His words aren't matching. 
6. While Towns and Wiggins both have flaws and are imperfect (Towns' D, Wiggins overall energy and lack of effort), they are the team’s future. It’s just fact. They have the most potential and are signed under contract for the longest. It’s up to Glen Taylor to step in and make sure those two are surrounded by smart people, in a great environment needed to succeed. 

Seth: Thibs just drives me nuts. It is clear his method of screaming at everyone every second doesn’t work. Yet instead of doing something about it, and adapting to it, he just keeps trying to make the same thing (not) work. Good coaches adapt to the players they have, instead of adapting the players they have to them. Now, the big question:

What do we want Glen to do to fix all of this?

I, for one, would love to see him simply make some sort of statement. Come out against Butler’s behavior. Say that the situation will be handled in-house. Instead of just leaving everyone in the dark and letting Butler’s staged interview do all of the talking. The silence is deafening, but not surprised, considering that KEVIN GARNETT STILL HASN’T HAD HIS JERSEY RETIRED. How is it even possible that our franchise player still hasn’t returned since he retired. Oh wait, dysfunction is how. Every single possible thing that could have been blundered has been on Glen’s watch. At least let the fans know you hear their anguish instead of just saying “No comment.” He has the power to fire Thibs and Layden. At this point, it couldn’t be any more of a disaster if he did it like five days before the season started. Right?

Dan: Correct. I keep going back to what Canis Hoopus’s John Meyer said yesterday. “Thibs lost all of his remaining credibility today and no longer possesses the authority or leadership required of his position. We can focus on what Butler did at practice, or we can talk about what really matters: A strong leader would’ve never let this happen under their watch.”

Seth: Greg Popovich would never let this happen. Steve Kerr would never let this happen. Brad Stevens would never let this happen. Then again they would never have to worry about it happening in the first place. This isn’t to say teams don’t have issues during the season. Look at Golden State last year. Arguably their most difficult season in the last few years. They had to deal with injuries and finally caving to the pressure of all of those wins. But they were able to handle everything and still win a title. Things happen during the season; no one is going to get along the whole year. But other teams appear able to overcome adversity. THE SPURS MADE THE PLAYOFFS WITHOUT KAWHI.

Dan: All great points. Peering towards the future, what comes next? 

Seth: I honestly don’t know. Butler is going to leave at the end of the season. But will Thibs? At this point, I have no reason to believe Glen will seriously get involved. All this rumored talk of him intervening and taking the reins has led to nothing. If I could handle it myself, Butler is gone TODAY, and Thibs and Layden are gone TOMORROW, and then I (Glen) put the team up for sale on Monday. They have to clean house and eliminate the toxicity from the building. Bring in a young innovative head coach that can relate to players and build around KAT, assuming he still wants to stay after all of this.

Dan: Haha… “sell the team on Monday.” That got me, man. 

About all of this, I don't know. This is such a weird moment.

They could do the logical thing and fire Thibs, assign Ryan Saunders as interim head coach, and trade Jimmy for the reported package Miami Heat have offered, including Josh Richardson, Dion Waiters, and a protected first round pick.. However, that seems too much to ask for. So I fully expect them to go into the regular season with Butler on the roster and if he plays, I'm sure the team chemistry is going to be great and there won't be any finger pointing during bad stretches.

​Yup, this is going to work out great.

By: Dan Slaubaugh

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know by now that Jimmy Butler wants out of Minnesota. 

In addition, here are the main things we seem to know:

-Jimmy Butler wants out of Minnesota so he can play in a large market. That, and he’s not getting along with Wolves building blocks Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins.

-Butler has his sights set on Los Angeles (Clippers), Brooklyn, or New York.

-No one knows who to call to make an offer on Butler. Reports have varied so much within the last 24 hours that we don’t know if Glen Taylor is making the deal alone, if Scott Layden is handling calls, or if they’re all working in unison. Literally no one has a clue, which is both asburd and hilarious.

-11 teams have reported being interested in acquiring Butler. That’s a lot of teams. But shouldn't that be expected when a top-10 player becomes available?

Now, let’s consider what those 11 teams have to offer. I’m going to be short and sweet because he could be traded any second and I don’t want to spend my entire Sunday afternoon going in vast detail on this, clicking post, then seeing he’s been traded. That would stink and I have better things to do (just kidding, I definitely don’t). 

All trades have been ESPN Trade Machine approved.

Los Angeles Clippers
 
Realistic offer: Tobias Harris, Lou Williams for Butler
 
Tobias Harris, 25, would be the key piece in the return and fits the development timelines of Towns and Wiggins to an extent. He was elite from deep last year knocking down 41.1 percent of his threes, but I doubt that’s sustainable. A return built around Harris wouldn’t be terrible, but with only one year left on his deal, he becomes expensive after this season.
 
Dan’s interest level: 6/10
 
Brooklyn Nets
 
Realistic offer: Allen Crabbe, DeMarre Carroll, Caris Levert, 2019 first round pick and 2020 second round pick for Butler and Dieng
 
Brooklyn is one of the least desirable trade partners with the Wolves. They have no great pieces to offer. Caris Levert is intriguing, but most of you probably aren’t familiar with him which probably says he isn’t worth biting the bullet for. Basically, anyone of interest that they have is on a one-year deal. With Butler, and in a weak Eastern Conference, the Nets would rack up enough wins to make their 2019 1st round pick (which would undoubtedly come to Minnesota in the trade) not all that appealing. No thanks. Actually, just no. 
 
Dan’s interest level: 1/10
 
New York Knicks
 
Realistic offer: Kevin Knox/Frank Ntilikina, Tim Hardaway Jr., 2019 first round pick for Butler
 
Knox (19) or Ntilikina (20) would be the key piece in the return. Given how young the two are, I doubt this would be Taylor’s top choice - and definitely not Thibodeau’s (though I doubt he has a say). Hardaway Jr. is a fine two-way piece, but he can’t shoot and is owed 18 million per year through 2020-2021. Personally, I would rather the Wolves trade for someone who fits the timelines of Towns and Wiggins rather than a first or second-year player still years away from being a winning player. Knox and Ntilikina do have exciting upside, however, and Wolves fans are used to waiting around for talent to develop. I’d be pretty content with a trade involving one of the two young guys, preferably Knox. 
 
Dan’s interest level: 5/10
 
Detroit Pistons
 
Realistic offer: There are none. 
 
Luke Kennard and Khyri Thomas are nice young pieces you could surround Towns and Wiggins with, but there’s absolutely no way to make the money work (Wolves aren’t taking back Reggie Jackson, Andre Drummond, or Blake Griffin) unless they get a third team involved. 
 
Dan’s interest level: Doesn’t matter. Not gonna happen. 
 
Miami Heat
 
Realistic offer: Josh Richardson, Kelly Olynk for Butler
 
The Wolves wouldn’t be interested in taking on the expensive contracts of players such as Hassan Whiteside or Tyler Johnson. That could mean sending away a package of still-developing talents like Bam Adebayo, Josh Richardson or Justise Winslow, a strategy that the team hasn’t been eager to pursue in the past. In a March piece, ESPN NBA Senior Writer Zach Lowe called Josh Richardson "Miami's best all-around player" and a "terror on defense", which is certainly encouraging to hear considering Miami has been actively discussing a trade with the Wolves over the past 24 hours.

Dan’s interest level: 7/10
 
Philadelphia 76ers
 
Realistic offer: Dario Saric/Robert Covington, Wilson Chandler; or Markelle Fultz, Robert Covington, 2019 first round pick for Butler
 
Trade #1: Saric struggles defensively, but his offensive game makes up for it. Covington is one of the game’s best perimeter defenders and would instantly make the Wolves better on that end. Wilson, on a one-year deal, would make the team better this season and come off the books next summer.
 
Trade #2: In all honesty, what the Wolves really need to mold into contenders is an all-star guard who can light up the scoreboard any given night. Fultz has that kind of potential, but any chance of this deal happening would mean the Timberwolves feel comfortable that Fultz’s shot has returned to form. Still, there's a reason Fultz went number one overall. I'd pull this trigger and not think twice about it. 

Trade #1 interest level: 9/10
Trade #2 interest level: 10/10

Houston Rockets

Realistic offer: Eric Gordon, PJ Tucker, 2019 first round pick and 2020 second round pick for Butler

According to recent reports, the Rockets are prepared to make a trade offer for Jimmy Butler in a package centered on Eric Gordon and some fillers. His catch-and-shoot three-point shooting with Towns and Wiggins as option 1 and 2 would be fun, but too short-sighted. This package doesn't help the future of the Wolves plus Gordon, 29, has been injury-prone his entire career. Their filler options aren't great and a pick is going to be late first round. No thank you.

Dan’s interest level: 1/10

Portland Trail Blazers

Realistic offer: Maurice Harkless, Meyers Leonard, Gary Trent Jr., 2019 first round pick for Butler

Apparently, the Blazers are unwilling to include CJ McCollum in any deal. So, unless you want a bunch of bad contracts back, the Blazers have nothing of interest to offer in a Butler trade. Bye.

Note: I thought Portland might deal McCollum and hope to convince Butler to stay. Then, if he leaves, they’d have at least rid themselves of McCollum’s hefty contract and have the money to go out and sign someone who fits better with Dame -- because the two together aren't getting them to the championship.

​I thought wrong.

Dan’s interest level: 0/10
If McCollum was included: 10/10
 
Cleveland Cavaliers
 
Realistic offer: Cedi Osman, JR Smith, Tristan Thompson for Butler and Dieng
 
Do I really have to explain why the Cavs are a bad trade partner? None of those guys are future assets, if even current assets. Plus, much like the Nets, the Cavs - with Butler and Love - would rack up enough wins to make their 2019 1st round pick (which would undoubtedly come to Minnesota in the trade) not all that appealing. Their most intriguing players (which are still not all that intriguing) are wings who would block the development of Josh Okogie and Keita Bates-Diop. 
 
Dan’s interest level: 0/10
 
Milwaukee Bucks
 
Realistic offer: Khris Middleton, Thon Maker for Butler
 
This appears to be one of the more enticing deals out there. The Wolves would be getting one of the more underrated two-way players in the NBA. At 6' 8", Middleton has great size, length, is dead-eye from deep, and a good all-around defender. His skill set would allow Wiggins to get back to what he does best - attacking and slashing. He’s someone who doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective. Middleton's contract next year is a player option so my guess he opts out because he will earn more than the 13 million his player option is for. Even then, he's the kind of player worth throwing 20 million/year at. 
 
Dan’s interest level: 9/10

Washington Wizards

Realistic offer: Bradley Beal/Otto Porter Jr. and Markieff Morris for Butler and Dieng

This would allow the Wolves to move Dieng's contract. Plus, Morris could be movable later this season. Beal is a dream and Porter Jr. has proven to be a really good two-way player (signed through 2020-2021). Both are good fits next to Wiggins and make about the same money. Washington is stuck middling. This would give them the opportunity to shake things up. If Butler leaves, they gain cap flexibility. 
​
Dan's interest level: 9/10

By: Seth Toupal

After one of the most contentious off-seasons in franchise history, the Minnesota Timberwolves appear set to enter the post-Jimmy Butler era. Butler announced yesterday that he wants out, and wants to be traded to either the Los Angeles Clippers, Brooklyn Nets or New York Knicks. After 1 season (59 games to be exact) the Timberwolves are right back where they started. The only problem is that they are without Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and Lauri Markkanen, who were all traded for Butler during the draft last year. But how did we get to this point? Travel back in time with me to examine the highs, lows, and the present of the Jimmy Butler Chronicles.

June 22nd, 2017: The Jimmy Butler Era officially begins after a draft night trade between the Timberwolves and the Bulls. The Wolves acquired Butler and the 16th overall pick (Justin Patton) in exchange for Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and the 7th overall pick (Lauri Markkanen). Reaction to the trade gave the Wolves a tremendous win, and it was pretty clear that the national media viewed the Wolves as serious Western Conference contenders with the acquisition of Butler.

June 29th, 2017: Butler was introduced to Minnesota in a press conference at the Mall of America. Butler wowed the crowd, and even gave out his phone number at one point to provoke the doubters of his ability to lead the Wolves to the promised land. All seemed golden in Minnesota, and it seemed like the beginning of a new era in Timberwolves Basketball.

October 20th, 2017: Jimmy Butler plays his first home game at Target Center and is welcomed to the home crowd by this sweet introduction. The Wolves go on to win 100-97 over the Utah Jazz, in Ricky Rubio's first game at Target Center as a visitor. Butler scores 13 points in his home debut and Jamal Crawford leads the Wolves down the stretch for the win. Interestingly enough after the game Butler orders security to prevent Rubio from entering the Wolves locker room.

December 27th, 2017: Butler scores 39 points as the Wolves pick up a huge win at home against Denver. The win pushes the Wolves to 22-13. Butler late in the game taunts Denver saying that no one can guard him. At this point the sky was the limit for the Wolves. Everyone thought that a special season was imminent. 

December 31st, 2017: Buler scores 26 points in a 107-90 win over the Pacers. The Wolves end 2017 at 23-14.

February 18th, 2018: Butler sits out of the All Star game, citing the need for rest. Questions gravitate to whether or not Tom Thibodeau is working his players too hard

February 23rd, 2018: Butler injures his knee late in a loss to Houston. Players on the court say it doesn't look good. Fans panic. Doubt starts to creep in. The Wolves sit at 36-26 after the loss.

April 6th, 2018: Butler returns in a Wolves win over the Lakers, scoring 18 points in 23 minutes. The Wolves improve to 45-35 with the win. Days earlier, Butler calls out the Wolves for lack of effort and places blame for defensive woes on the team, not the coach.
​
April 11th, 2018: Butler scores 31 points in the Wolves win against Denver to advance to the playoffs. Everyone celebrates. The drought is over! A game for the ages that actually went Minnesota's way.

April 25th, 2018: The Wolves are eliminated by Houston in the first round of the playoffs. A season that looked so promising fizzles at the end. Butler cites his appreciation of what the Wolves were able to do during his first season there. The core is still intact and the team should be able to match their production and make the playoffs again.

July 3rd, 2018: Reports from Chicago point to a rift developing between Karl-Anthony Towns and Jimmy Butler. Butler is apparently fed up with the lack of effort on defense. This comes amidst reports that Butler wants to pair with Kyrie Irving and head to New York to form a super-team in the East. Towns mulls his future with an extension looming in the offseason. Cryptic tweets and Instagram posts run wild.

July 13th, 2018: Jimmy Butler turns down a 4 year, $110 million extension from the Wolves. This move is not unexpected, as Butler would be able to earn more after his current deal expires. But with the rumors of a Towns rift, Wolves nation is understandably uneasy.

July 18th, 2018: Karl-Anthony Towns speaks to the media after comments made by Butler and doesn't give any definitive answers as to his future with the team. Tension mounts.

September 18th, 2018: Tom Thibodeau heads to Los Angeles to meet with Butler to discuss his future with the team. The meeting was originally scheduled to be in Minnesota, so signs point to something bad happening with the change in location.

September 19th, 2018: Jimmy Butler officially requests a trade from the Timberwolves. Butler lists the Clippers, Nets, and Knicks as his desirable destinations according to league sources. Social media goes nuts as Timberwolves Twitter, Nick Wiggins, Stephen Jackson and Jimmy Butler ignite a free for all with all sorts of mud being thrown by all sides.

There is still more to come in this situation as Butler hasn't been traded yet and Wolves media day is Monday. So needless to say get your popcorn ready for more fireworks over the next few weeks. The Butler Era brought the Wolves to the playoffs for the first time in 13 years, But now it is time to build around Towns and Wiggins and hopefully it doesn't take another 13 years for the next playoff trip.



Seth is host of The Scoop on KLGR Radio out of Redwood Falls, Minnesota. Listen to episodes of The Scoop here.

By: Jake Paynting

Once former Chicago Bulls Coach of the Year and current Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau entered the Twin Cities, one thing has been ever so clear: Thibs loved the gritty guys he had in Chicago, and he wants them back.

Jimmy Butler was the marquee name to arrive from the Windy City, followed by forward Taj Gibson, back-up point Aaron Brooks. The ultimate Bulls throwback came a few weeks after last season's all-star break when Thibs used his president of basketball operations power to lasso 2011's Most Valuable Player Derrick Rose into the fold.

Now, just two names remain on the 60-year-old's list. The first is former All-Star Loul Deng. The 33-year-old featured in just a solitary game last season, despite being fully healthy. Even with the lack of gametime, he and the Lakers seem to have hit a stalemate in buyout or trade discussions. According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, an NBA executive even went as far as to say Deng is all but semi-retired and that he may never play again in the NBA unless he has a change of heart.

That leaves one lonely name,  2013-14 Defensive Player of the Year Joakim Noah. 

Like Deng, the 33-year-old center was healthily warming the bench last season, featuring in just 40 minutes spread out over seven appearances. Unlike his former Chicago pal, the New York Knicks plan to let Noah move on. According to ESPN, Knicks general manager plans to stretch and waive the final two years of his enormous 4-year, $72 million contract, providing they can't find a trade partner. Since making his move from Chicago to the Big Apple, Noah's star-studded career has fallen off a cliff. With his huge contract providing a black cloud over a promising future in New York, the Knicks will undoubtedly look to move the big man as soon as possible.

It's likely Thibodeau will just wait it out and sign his former defensive anchor on a league minimum deal, rather than trade for him and his huge contract. Nonetheless, all signs point to Noah making his way to the Mayo Clinic at some stage this year. However, with franchise centerpiece Karl-Anthony Towns, overpaid albeit rotation-worthy Gorgui Dieng and unseen sophomore big man Justin Patton all vying for minutes, Noah might be restricted to another bench role.

That doesn't mean that he can't be a locker room and defensive leader for the aforementioned big men in the Timberwolves ranks. Reputations in the NBA change faster than your average set of traffic lights, so it's easy to forget a time where Joakim Noah was a star, but just four short years ago he was very that. The 6-foot-11 was an inefficient scorer with one of the goofiest looking jump shots you will ever see, but he was an elite passer for his size and his three All-Defensive nods attest to his game-changing ability on that end.

The most important thing is that every bit of that success came under the tightened reigns of Tom Thibodeau, and his famous rendition of the 'ICE' defense. That's where the long-haired ball of energy can add value to this team, specifically Karl-Anthony Towns, who has seen his fair share of defensive criticism. 

When Noah spoke to the Star Tribune before a 2016 game against the Timberwolves and his former coach, he was quick to show Thibodeau love.

“It’s hard to win in this league. Sometimes, with Thibs, we’d butt heads. But you don’t’ realize what you have with him until he’s not around.’’ he said.

With a return to butting heads with his former leader looking more and more possible by the day, Joakim Noah still has plenty of wisdom and leadership to offer to a Timberwolves franchise desperate for stability.

By: Seth Toupal

To say that the landscape in the Western Conference has changed this offseason would definitely be an understatement. After being swept by the Warriors in the NBA Finals, LeBron decided to take his talents to Los Angeles and he wasn’t the only big shocker in a frantic offseason. Not only did teams that missed the playoffs get better, but several teams that made the playoffs retained their core. Chris Paul, Paul George and Nikola Jokic were just some of the big names who decided to stay put for a chance to dethrone the champs.

The Timberwolves most notable moves included their two draft picks Josh Okogie and Keita Bates-Diop as well free agent signings Anthony Tolliver and James Nunnaly. The Wolves also re-signed Derrick Rose to add to their bench depth. The starting lineup is intact and the bench looks much deeper and more versatile. Will that be enough to keep the Timberwolves afloat in the West? Let's take a look at how the Wolves stack up against the rest of the teams in the Western Conference. We will look at free agent additions, draft picks, and how the Wolves fared in head to head matchups against each team. Buckle up:

Western Conference Power Rankings

The Favorite

1. Golden State Warriors (58-24 last year, NBA Champions)
​
Adds:
• DeMarcus Cousins (free agency)
• Jonas Jerebko (free agency)
• Damion Lee (free agency)
Draft:
• Jacob Evans (No. 28 pick)
Losses:
• JaVale McGee (signed with Lakers)
• Zaza Pachulia (signed with Pistons)
Current Free Agents:
• Patrick McCaw -- RFA
• David West – UFA
• Nick Young – UFA
Under Contract:
• Jordan Bell
• Chris Boucher**
• Quinn Cook
• Stephen Curry
• Kevin Durant (re-signed)
• Draymond Green
• Andre Iguodala
• Damian Jones
• Shaun Livingston
• Kevon Looney (re-signed)
• Klay Thompson

Why they are number 1:  With injuries and adversity throughout the year that looked like they might finally crack the armor, the Warriors looked like a team who finally hit the wall. But everyone got healthy for the playoffs and they collected another Larry O’Brien trophy. Add to the fold a very motivated DeMarcus Cousins and the Warriors are still on top where they still belong. The biggest question mark for Golden State has always been their bench. But with a starting lineup as good as they have, does it really matter?

How the Wolves stacked up a season ago:
Game 1: Warriors 125, Timberwolves 101
Game 2: Warriors 126, Timberwolves 113
Game 3: Timberwolves 109, Warriors 103

Last year the Warriors won the season series 2-1. In the lone game the Wolves won (109-106 at Target Center on March 11th) Steph Curry didn’t play (then again neither did Jimmy Butler). In the other 2 games the Warriors showed why they are still way ahead of the Wolves. The Wolves simply don’t shoot enough 3’s to keep up. Then again, few teams do. The key in this series is for the Wolves is to win their battles one on one and for someone to have a monster game.

The Biggest Challenger

2. Houston Rockets (65-17 last year, lost to Golden State in the Western Conference Finals)

Adds:
 • Michael Carter-Williams (free agent)
• James Ennis III (free agent)
• Carmelo Anthony (Verbal Commitment to sign)
Draft: • De'Anthony Melton (No. 46 pick)
• Vincent Edwards (No. 52 pick)
Losses:
• Trevor Ariza (signed with Suns)
• Luc Mbah a Moute (signed with Clippers)
• Chinanu Onuaku (traded to Mavericks)
Current Free Agents:
• Tarik Black -- UFA
• Markel Brown -- RFA
• Joe Johnson – UFA
Under Contract:
• Ryan Anderson
• Clint Capela (re-signed)
• Eric Gordon
• Gerald Green (re-signed)
• James Harden
• R.J. Hunter**
• Aaron Jackson (opt in)
• Nene
• Chris Paul (re-signed)
• Zhou Qi
• P.J. Tucker
 
Why they are number 2: Even though the Rockets blew everyone away in the regular season, they still couldn’t survive another Western Conference Finals matchup with Golden State. To put it simply, Chris Paul’s injury and an atrocious 27 consecutive 3 pointers missed in Game 7 are going to haunt the Rockets until next year’s playoffs. The trio of Clint Capela, Chris Paul and James Harden put up an incredible record when they all were healthy (an absurd 42-3), but Houston’s biggest challenge will be to stay healthy and to finally finish off the Warriors. Another interesting thing to watch is how Carmelo Anthony fits into the rotation. Will he truly accept a bench role?

How the Wolves stacked up a season ago:
Game 1: Rockets 116, Timberwolves 98
Game 2: Rockets 126, Timberwolves 108
Game 3: Rockets 120, Timberwolves 102
Game 4: Rockets 129, Timberwolves 120

Playoffs Game 1: Rockets 104, Timberwolves 101
Playoffs Game 2: Rockets 102, Timberwolves 82
Playoffs Game 3: Timberwolves 121, Rockets 105
Playoffs Game 4: Rockets 119, Timberwolves 100
Playoffs Game 5: Rockets 122, Timberwolves 104

Houston went 8-1 against the Timberwolves in both the regular season and postseason. The Rockets transition offense gave the Wolves fits at every turn. And just when it seemed like the Wolves might gain some playoff momentum the Rockets scored 50 points in the third quarter on the Wolves at Target Center in Game 4. This will still present a tough matchup for the Wolves, although their defense should be more up to the task this year. One key matchup in this series is Clint Calepa against Karl-Anthony Towns. Capela intimidated Towns in almost every game last year. Will Towns be able to return the favor this year?

The Playoff Contenders

3. Oklahoma City Thunder (48-34 last year, lost to Utah in the Western Conference Quarterfinals)

Added:
• Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot (trade with Sixers)
• Abdel Nader (trade with Celtics)
• Nerlens Noel (free agency)
• Dennis Schröder (trade with Hawks)
Draft:
• Hamidou Diallo (No. 45 pick)
• Devon Hall (No. 53 pick)
• Kevin Hervey (No. 57 pick)
Lost:
• Carmelo Anthony (traded to Hawks)
• Nick Collison (retired)
• Dakari Johnson (traded to Magic)
• Rodney Purvis (traded to Celtics)
Free Agents:
• Corey Brewer – UFA
• PJ Dozier – UFA
• Daniel Hamilton – UFA
• Josh Huestis – UFA
Under Contract:
• Alex Abrines
• Steven Adams
• Raymond Felton (re-signed)
• Terrance Ferguson
• Paul George (re-signed)
• Jerami Grant (re-signed)
• Patrick Patterson
• Andre Roberson
• Kyle Singler
• Russell Westbrook  

Why they are number 3: Russ and co. were bested by the Jazz in the playoffs last year and immediately faced questions about the future of Paul George as Westbrook’s right hand man. Those questions were quickly answered when he resigned and the team subsequently added Dennis Schroeder and Nerlens Noel to the fold. The trade of Carmelo Anthony will help get more shots to better players. OKC is going to be a real threat this year. 

How the Wolves stacked up a season ago:
Game 1: Timberwolves 115, Thunder 113
​Game 2: Timberwolves 119, Thunder 116
Game 3: Thunder 111, Timberwolves 107
Game 4: Timberwolves 104, Thunder 88

The Wolves won the season series 3-1 last year against the Thunder. One of those wins came on an Andrew Wiggins buzzer beater in OKC. The Wolves also won in a blowout at the Target Center. Never count out Russ though, and this Thunder team is way better. It should be a highly competitive series between these two again this coming season. The biggest question in this matchup is with the additions of Schroder and Noel, how will the Wolves match up yet still keep Westbrook quiet?

4. Utah Jazz (48-34 last year, lost to Houston in the Western Conference Semifinals)

Added:
• Jairus Lyles (free agency)
• Naz Mitrou-Long (free agency)
Draft:
• Grayson Allen (No. 21 pick)
Lost:
• Jonas Jerebko (waived)
Free Agents:
• Erik McCree -- UFA
Under Contract:
• Tony Bradley
• Alec Burks
• Jae Crowder
• Dante Exum (re-signed)
• Derrick Favors (re-signed)
• Rudy Gobert
• Joe Ingles
• Donovan Mitchell
• Raul Neto (re-signed)
• Georges Niang (re-signed)
• Royce O'Neale
• Ricky Rubio
• Thabo Sefolosha
• David Stockton
• Ekpe Udoh  

Why they are number 4: Once the Jazz were up to full strength they were nearly unstoppable. Rudy Gobert cranked the Jazz defense to another level once he came back for good. The back court combo of Donovan Mitchell and Ricky Rubio looks to blossom in year 2 as a tandem. Grayson Allen might have hit the perfect landing spot when the Jazz drafted him. His defense will fit in perfectly off the bench. The Jazz could make some very loud noise in the Western Conference this year.

How the Wolves stack up:
Game 1: Timberwolves 100, Jazz 97
Game 2: Timberwolves 109, Jazz 98
Game 3: Jazz 116, Timberwolves 108
Game 4: Jazz 121, Timberwolves 97

Both teams split the season series 2-2, each winning 1 game on the other team’s home court. The Wolves showed their most frustration of the season during the Jazz series, with both teams playing an incredibly physical style and leading to Karl-Anthony Towns getting ejected in Game 3. The key for the Wolves is to try to keep Rudy Gobert from taking over, and to keep the Jazz quiet from outside. Towns vs. Gobert is hands down the most interesting matchup in this series. Although Mitchell and Butler is a close second.

5. New Orleans Pelicans (48-34 last year, lost to Golden State in the Western Conference Semifinals)

Added:
• Elfrid Payton (free agency)
• Julius Randle (free agency)
Draft:
• Tony Carr (No. 51 pick)
Lost:
• DeMarcus Cousins (signed with Warriors)
• Rajon Rondo (signed with Lakers)
Free Agents:
• Charles Cooke – UFA
• Jordan Crawford -- UFA
Under Contract:
• Alexis Ajinca
• Jordan Crawford
• Ian Clark (re-signed)
• Anthony Davis
• Cheick Diallo
• Larry Drew II
• Solomon Hill
• Jrue Holiday
• Frank Jackson
• DeAndre Liggins
• Darius Miller
• Nikola Mirotic (opt in)
• E'Twaun Moore
• Emeka Okafor  

Why they are number 5: Weird that a team who lost DeMarcus Cousins would vault up the list but the Pelicans took the Warriors to the brink in the playoffs last year without his services. New Orleans added a very capable fill in though in Julius Randle and teaming him up with Anthony Davis will give many teams fits. As long as the Pelicans can get steady production from their wings they will compete all year long. Expect big things coming for The Brow and friends.

How the Wolves stacked up a season ago:
Game 1: Timberwolves 104, Pelicans 98
Game 2: Timberwolves 120, Pelicans 102
Game 3: Timberwolves 116, Pelicans 98
Game 4: Timberwolves 118, Pelicans 107

The Wolves swept the season series against the Pelicans 4-0 with relative ease. They did a good job against Davis too, holding him below his season averages. The addition of Randle will tip the scales closer but this is the point where Minnesota start to catch up with the field. With a more even front court, it will fall on the Pelicans back court to win this matchup. I'm intrigued by how Taj Gibson will contend with Julius Randle when they square off. You can't overlook KAT vs. Anthony Davis though, because that is the real marquee matchup between these two teams.

6. San Antonio Spurs (47-35 last year, lost to Golden State in the Western Conference Quarterfinals)

Added:
• Marco Belinelli (free agency)
• Dante Cunningham (free agency)
• DeMar DeRozan (trade with Raptors)
• Jakob Poeltl (trade with Raptors)
Draft:
• Lonnie Walker IV (No. 18 pick)
• Chimezie Metu (No. 49 pick)
Lost:
• Kyle Anderson (signed with Grizzlies)
• Danny Green (trade with Raptors)
• Kawhi Leonard (trade with Raptors)
• Tony Parker (signed with Hornets)
• Brandon Paul (waived)
Free Agents:
• Matt Costello -- UFA
• Darrun Hilliard -- RFA**
• Joffrey Lauvergne -- UFA
Under Contract:
• LaMarcus Aldridge
• Davis Bertans (re-signed)
• Bryn Forbes (re-signed)
• Pau Gasol
• Rudy Gay (re-signed)
• Manu Ginobili
• Patty Mills
• Dejounte Murray
• Derrick White  

Why they are number 6: One of the most controversial off-seasons in the Greg Popovich era ended with Kawhi Leonard being traded to Toronto. Leonard was injured and opted not to play most of the season for San Antonio, and despite all of that the Spurs made the playoffs once again. The Spurs always find ways to overcome the odds and they are the most team-oriented organization in the NBA. Add a motivated DeMar DeRozan to the likes of LaMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol and I see no reason the Spurs won’t be fighting for the playoffs at season’s end.

How the Wolves stacked up a season ago:
Game 1: Spurs 107, Timberwolves 99
Game 2: Timberwolves 98, Spurs 86
Game 3: Spurs 117, Timberwolves 101

The Spurs won the season series 2-1, with the Wolves winning the lone game at Target Center. The Wolves struggled in both games on the road, and LaMarcus Aldridge was a dominant force in all 3 games. The Wolves will need to keep both him and now DeMar DeRozan from taking over in order to win the series. I look forward to seeing Jimmy Butler tango with newly acquired DeMar DeRozan as the biggest matchup in this series.

7. Minnesota Timberwolves (47-35 last year, lost to Houston in the Western Conference Quarterfinals)

Added:
• James Nunnally (free agency)
• Anthony Tolliver (free agency)
Draft:
• Josh Okogie (No. 20 pick)
• Keita Bates-Diop (No. 48 pick)
Lost:
• Cole Aldrich (waived)
• Nemanja Bjelica (signed with Kings)
Free Agents:
• Aaron Brooks – UFA
• Anthony Brown – UFA
• Jamal Crawford – UFA
• Marcus Georges-Hunt – RFA • Amile Jefferson -- RFA
Under Contract:
• Jimmy Butler
• Gorgui Dieng
• Taj Gibson
• Tyus Jones
• Justin Patton
• Derrick Rose (re-signed)
• Jeff Teague
• Karl-Anthony Towns
• Andrew Wiggins
 
Why they are number 7: When fully healthy the Wolves were the 3rd seed in the Western Conference. And that was with a less than stellar bench and the starters playing together for the first time. Enter year two and the Wolves hope to at least match last year’s success. With a deeper and more versatile bench, Minnesota looks poised to hang with what is an incredibly deep Western Conference.

8. Los Angeles Lakers (35-47 last year, missed the playoffs)

Added:
• Michael Beasley (free agency)
• LeBron James (free agency)
• JaVale McGee (free agency)
• Rajon Rondo (free agency)
• Lance Stephenson (free agency)
Draft:
• Moritz Wagner (No. 25 pick)
• Issac Bonga (No. 39 pick)
• Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk (No. 47 pick)
Lost:
• Thomas Bryant (waived)
• Tyler Ennis (waived)
• Channing Frye (signed with Cavs)
• Brook Lopez  (signed with Bucks)
• Julius Randle (signed with Pelicans)
• Isaiah Thomas (signed with Nuggets)
Free Agents:
• Andre Ingram – RFA
• Gary Payton II -- UFA
Under Contract:
• Lonzo Ball
• Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (re-signed)
• Alex Caruso
• Luol Deng
• Josh Hart
• Brandon Ingram
• Kyle Kuzma
• Travis Wear (re-signed**)
• Ivica Zubac  

Why they are number 8: The Lakers were both young and bad last year. Enter LeBron James. The Lakers didn’t land the second big fish they were hoping to land once LeBron came west, but in missing out they retained their entire young core. Add in every single villain in LeBron’s career and this season could either be fascinating or a disaster. Something tells me though that even in the Western Conference the Lakers will be somewhere near the top of the standings.

How the Wolves stacked up a season ago:
Game 1: Timberwolves 121, Lakers 104
Game 2: Timberwolves 114, Lakers 96
Game 3: Timberwolves 119, Lakers 111
Game 4: Timberwolves 113, Lakers 96

The Wolves won every game of the series with the Lakers suffering through a dismal season. With LeBron now a Laker things become immensely more difficult for the Wolves as long as LeBron is still the best player on the planet. The Lakers young core also should be better too. This series should be more competitive this season. It will be interesting to see what position LeBron plays and who the Timberwolves will try to match him up with.

9. Portland Trail Blazers (49-33 last year, lost to New Orleans in the Western Conference Quarterfinals)

Added:
• Seth Curry (free agency)
• Nik Stauskas (free agency)
Draft:
• Anfernee Simons (No. 24 pick)
• Gary Trent Jr. (No. 37 pick)
Lost:
• Pat Connaughton (signed with Bucks)
• Ed Davis (signed with Nets)
• Shabazz Napier (signed with Nets)
• Georgios Papagiannis (waived)
Free Agents:
• CJ Wilcox -- UFA
Under Contract:
• Al-Farouq Aminu
• Wade Baldwin IV
• Zach Collins
• Maurice Harkless
• Jake Layman
• Meyers Leonard
• Damian Lillard
• C.J. McCollum
• Jusuf Nurkic (re-signed)
• Caleb Swanigan
• Evan Turner  

Why they are number 9: While Portland is tremendously talented, they were one of the only top tier Western Conference teams who didn’t make a major impact move. The Trail Blazers did add Seth Curry and Nik Stauskas to help shore up the bench. The lineup with Lillard and McCollum and Nurkic is still very good but this team has a similar feel to the Clippers with Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan that was very good in the regular season but just couldn’t make noise in the postseason.

How the Wolves stacked up a season ago:
Game 1: Timberwolves 108, Trail Blazers 107
Game 2: Timberwolves 120, Trail Blazers 103
Game 3: Trail Blazers 123, Timberwolves 114
Game 4: Trail Blazers 108, Timberwolves 99

Both teams split the 4 game series last year, with each team winning both of their games at home. The Wolves did lose the final game of the series while Jimmy Butler was on the shelf, so it is possible that the Wolves could end up winning the series next season. As long as Lillard stays quiet this should be a very competitive series. Jeff Teague and Jimmy Butler against Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum is the matchup worth the price of admission in this series.

10. Denver Nuggets (46-36 last year, missed playoffs)

Added:
• Isaiah Thomas (free agency)
Draft:
• Michael Porter Jr. (No. 14 pick)
• Jarred Vanderbilt (No. 41 pick)
• Thomas Welsh (No. 58 pick)
Lost:
• Darrell Arthur (traded to Nets)
• Wilson Chandler (traded to 76ers)
• Kenneth Faried (traded to Nets)
• Isaiah Whitehead (waived)
Free Agents:
• Devin Harris -- UFA
• Richard Jefferson -- UFA
Under Contract:
• Will Barton (re-signed)
• Malik Beasley
• Torrey Craig (re-signed)
• Gary Harris
• Juancho Hernangomez
• Nikola Jokic (contract extension)
• Tyler Lydon
• Trey Lyles
• Paul Millsap
• Monte Morris**
• Jamal Murray
• Mason Plumlee  

Why they are number 10: The Nuggets ended up watching the playoffs from home after losing the final game of the regular season to the Wolves. Paul Milsap at full strength alongside Nikola Jokic should help the Nuggets stay competitive, and the addition of Isaiah Thomas will help at scoring to the bench. The Nuggets did have to unload several bench pieces to avoid a massive luxury tax bill, and it will be a struggle to replace the production.

How the Wolves stacked up a season ago:
Game 1: Timberwolves 112, Nuggets 104
Game 2: Timberwolves 128, Nuggets 125
Game 3: Nuggets 100, Timberwolves 96
Game 4: Timberwolves 112, Nuggets 106

The Wolves went 3-1 against the Nuggets, including the win-and-in final game of the regular season. Jokic against Towns provided a great look at the future of centers in the NBA. Jimmy Butler averaged 35 PPG against the Nuggets in 3 games. The lone game the Nuggets won was while Jimmy Butler was injured, so the Wolves should have the upper hand in the season series again this year. Towns vs. Jokic provided some fascinating back and forth action, especially in the final game of the regular season. As both players continue to grow this will prove to be a battle of two of the top centers in the NBA.

The Playoff Hopefuls

11. Memphis Grizzlies (22-60 last year, missed the playoffs)

Added:
• Kyle Anderson (free agency)
• Omri Casspi (free agency)
• Dakari Johnson (trade with Magic)
• Shelvin Mack (free agency)
• Garrett Temple (trade with Kings)
Draft:
• Jaren Jackson Jr. (No. 4 pick)
• Jevon Carter (No. 32 pick)
Lost:
• Deyonta Davis (traded to Kings)
• Tyreke Evans (signed with Pacers)
• Jarell Martin (traded to Magic)
• Ben McLemore (traded to Kings)
Free Agents:
• Mario Chalmers -- UFA
Under Contract:
• Dillon Brooks
• MarShon Brooks
• Mike Conley
• Marc Gasol
• JaMychal Green
• Andrew Harrison
• Myke Henry
• Omari Johnson
• Chandler Parsons
• Ivan Rabb
• Wayne Selden
• Kobi Simmons
• Marquis Teague
• Briante Weber
 
Why they are number 11: This ranking may seem odd, but the Grizzlies suffered through an immense number of injuries last year. Mike Conley missed a majority of the season, and the team had to also deal with the firing of David Fizdale. When healthy, this is mostly the same roster that Fizdale took to the playoffs 2 years ago. While they won’t compete for a top playoff spot, if other teams in front of them struggle or deal with injuries, the Grizzlies could sneak in.

How the Wolves stacked up a season ago:
Game 1: Grizzlies 95, Timberwolves 92
Game 2: Grizzlies 101, Timberwolves 93
Game 3: Timberwolves 113, Grizzlies 94

​Despite being a lottery team the Grizzlies won the season series 2-1 over the Wolves last year. They snapped an 11 game losing streak to win the first matchup of the year after the Wolves imploded. It just goes to show you that even if you are near the bottom of the standings, you can still give a playoff team fits. A fully healthy Grizzlies team could give the Wolves some more problems next season.

12. Dallas Mavericks (24-58 last year, missed playoffs)

Added:
• Devin Harris (free agency)
• DeAndre Jordan (free agency)
• Ding Yanyuhang (free agency)
Draft:
• Luka Doncic (No. 3 pick)
• Jalen Brunson (No. 33 pick)
• Ray Spalding (No. 56 pick)
• Kostas Antetokounmpo (No. 60 pick)
Lost:
• Kyle Collinsworth (waived)
• Seth Curry (signed with Blazers)
• Yogi Ferrell (signed with Kings)
• Doug McDermott (signed with Pacers)
• Johnathan Motley ** (traded to Clippers)
• Nerlens Noel (signed with Thunder)
Free Agents:
• Aaron Harrison -- RFA
Under Contract:
• J.J. Barea
• Harrison Barnes
• Dorian Finney-Smith
• Jalen Jones **
• Maxi Kleber
• Wesley Matthews (opt in)
• Salah Mejri (re-signed)
• Dirk Nowitzki (re-signed)
• Dwight Powell
• Dennis Smith Jr.  

Why they are number 12: The Mavericks are in a state of transition, but don’t let that fool you. Dallas will combine intriguing youngsters with reliable veterans. After nearly signing with the Mavericks a few seasons ago, DeAndre Jordan opted to give them a shot this offseason before hitting the market again next year. Dirk is back for yet another season, but it likely won’t end in a playoff appearance with how stacked the rest of the West is. But as with Memphis, if injuries ravage the top of the standings, the Mavericks could sneak in if they quickly gel.

How the Wolves stacked up a season ago:
Game 1: Timberwolves 112, Mavericks 99
Game 2: Timberwolves 111, Mavericks 87
Game 3: Timberwolves 97, Mavericks 92
Game 4: Timberwolves 93, Mavericks 92

The Wolves won all 4 games against Dallas last year. One nearly went as a loss during the period of the schedule that the Wolves were struggling the most. But they were still able to win all of their matchups and even with DeAndre Jordan, the Wolves still are the better team and will end up winning the series at the very least. The key matchup here will be Towns vs. Jordan, but I will look forward to seeing how the Maverics attempt to incorporate Luka Doncic into the fold.

13. Los Angeles Clippers (42-40 last year, missed playoffs)

Added:
• Marcin Gortat (trade with Wizards)
• Johnathan Motley ** (trade with Mavericks)
• Mike Scott (free agency)
• Luc Mbah a Moute (free agency)
Draft:
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (No. 11 pick)
• Jerome Robinson (No. 13 pick)
• Rights to Vladimir Veremeenko (2006 Draft pick)
Lost:
• Sam Dekker (traded to Cavs)
• Austin Rivers (traded to Wizards)
• DeAndre Jordan (signed with Mavericks)
• C.J. Williams (waived)
Free Agents:
• Tyrone Wallace -- RFA**
Under Contract:
• Patrick Beverley
• Avery Bradley (re-signed)
• Jawun Evans
• Danilo Gallinari
• Montrezl Harrell (re-signed)
• Tobias Harris
• Boban Marjanovic
• Wesley Johnson (opt in)
• Milos Teodosic (opt in)
• Sindarius Thornwell
• Lou Williams
 
Why they are number 13: The core of Chris Paul-Blake Griffin-DeAndre Jordan is all gone. This team is now in the midst of their transition to being younger, but there are still plenty of intriguing players on the roster. Marcin Gortat and Tobias Harris form a solid combo down low for the Clippers, but health will be critical for this team to succeed. Avery Bradley struggled after he joined the team, and it looks like this roster is at least a couple of years away from contending for a playoff spot.

How the Wolves stacked up a season ago:
Game 1: Timberwolves 112, Clippers 106
Game 2: Timberwolves 113, Clippers 107
Game 3: Timberwolves 126, Clippers 118
Game 4: Timberwolves 123, Clippers 109

Another team that the Wolves swept in the regular season. Andrew Wiggins torched the Clippers, including 40 points in game 3 of the series. Jeff Teague also played well against Los Angeles, averaging 19.5 PPG in the 4 matchups. Without Jordan, KAT should be able to feast on Gortat. Jimmy Butler also should be able to exploit the Clippers next year. The matchup I'm watching in this series is Andrew Wiggins vs. Danilo Galinari. The Clippers really don't have another player that can stack up against what the Wolves have, so that is as close to an even battle as we will get.

14. Phoenix Suns (21-61 last year, missed playoffs)

Added:
• Trevor Ariza (free agency)
• Richaun Holmes (trade with 76ers)
• Darrell Arthur (trade with Nets)
Draft:
• Deandre Ayton (No. 1 pick)
• Mikal Bridges (No. 10 pick)
• Elie Okobo (No. 31 pick)
• George King (No. 59 pick)
Lost:
• Jared Dudley (traded to Nets)
• Alex Len (signed with Hawks)
• Elfrid Payton (signed with Pelicans)
• Tyler Ulis (waived)
• Alan Williams (waived)
Free Agents:
• Danuel House -- UFA
• Alec Peters -- UFA
Under Contract:
• Dragan Bender
• Devin Booker (contract extension)
• Tyson Chandler
• Marquese Chriss
• Troy Daniels
• Shaquille Harrison
• Josh Jackson
• Brandon Knight
• Davon Reed
• T.J. Warren
 
Why they are number 14: Phoenix is very similar to where the Timberwolves were when they first drafted Karl-Anthony Towns. They are very talented, but just too young at this point to seriously compete. Devin Booker is the face of the franchise and the Suns have several intriguing young players. But they all need experience and just to hope that someday they can rise to the top of the mountain. 

How the Wolves stacked up a season ago:
Game 1: Suns 118, Timberwolves 110
Game 2: Timberwolves 119, Suns 108
Game 3: Suns 108, Timberwolves 106
Game 4: Timberwolves 115, Suns 106

Both teams split the season series 2-2 and each won a game on the other team’s home court. Devin Booker only played in game 1 but poured in 35 points in a Suns win. Jimmy Butler scored at least 25 points in 3 of the 4 games against Phoenix, including 32 points in the Wolves game 4 win. With Booker having only played in 1 of the 4 games, these battles should continue next season. The key matchup between these two teams is Devin Booker against Jimmy Butler. Booker is the biggest scoring threat for the Suns, so if Butler can shut him down the Wolves should be in good shape.

15. Sacramento Kings (27-55 last year, missed playoffs)

Added:
• Nemanja Bjelica (free agency)
• Yogi Ferrell (free agency)
• Ben McLemore (trade with Grizzlies)
• Deyonta Davis (trade with Grizzlies)
Draft:
• Marvin Bagley III (No. 2 pick)
Lost:
• Garrett Temple (traded to Grizzlies)
Free Agents:
• Bruno Caboclo -- RFA
• Vince Carter -- UFA
• Jack Cooley -- UFA
• JaKarr Sampson -- RFA**
Under Contract:
• Bogdan Bogdanovic
• Willie Cauley-Stein
• De'Aaron Fox
• Harry Giles III
• Nigel Hayes
• Buddy Hield
• Justin Jackson
• Kosta Koufos (opt in)
• Skal Labissiere
• Frank Mason III
• Zach Randolph
• Iman Shumpert (opt in) 

Why they are number 15: Sacramento rounds out the Western Conference. The Kings are young, and lack an impact player that all of the playoff teams have. With some new faces maybe this is where they start to climb back up the ladder, but with the way things have gone the last few years that seems very unlikely.

How the Wolves stacked up a season ago:
Game 1: Timberwolves 119, Kings 96
Game 2: Timberwolves 111, Kings 106
Game 3: Timberwolves 118, Kings 100

The Timberwolves won all three matchups with relative ease. The lone exception was Game 2 of the series, when the Wolves finally took the lead for good in the 4th quarter. Karl-Anthony Towns feasted on the Kings, averaging 28.3 PPG in the 3 games against the Wolves. He also shot 69.7% from the field, which is absurd. The Kings didn't really have a standout performer against Minnesota, which further highlights their need for an impact player. I don't see any reason why the Wolves won't win the series again in 2018-19. The key matchup in this series would I suppose be Jeff Teague and Jimmy Butler against De'Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield. But as I said the Kings really don't have an impact player to contend with Minnesota.

So there you have it. The Western Conference is absolutely stacked, with clear cut favorites and teams who will be fighting for a top 8 spot this year. The nice thing is that the Wolves will be one of those teams competing for a playoff spot. And after several years without the playoffs, back to back years sounds pretty great.

(roster transactions via NBA.com)

Seth is host of The Scoop on KLGR Radio out of Redwood Falls, Minnesota. Listen to episodes of The Scoop here.