The Wolves' season could hinge on these five story lines (plus the development of point guard Ricky Rubio under new coach Flip Saunders' tutelage, the subject of our season advance):
1 Who's going to score?
The Wolves must replace Kevin Love's 26.1 points a game, not to mention his 12.5 rebounds a night. No player will do that by himself, so expect Kevin Martin, Nikola Pekovic and newly acquired Thaddeus Young to do so by committee. If each stays healthy, they'll likely average between 17 and 20 points a game.
2pek's health
Pekovic hasn't played more than 65 games a season in four NBA seasons. The Wolves intend to resolve that by limiting his time to eight-minute stretches and likely no more than 30 minutes a game. The side benefit: It creates more playing time for developing second-year center Gorgui Dieng.
3 Rookie's development
Andrew Wiggins, the 2014 draft's No. 1 overall pick, might be more ready to impact games defensively, but don't sleep his on his step-back jumper and his activity on the offensive backboards. Plus, he shoots it better than you probably think. Expect him to fill a starting role at small forward from the beginning.
4the X-factor?
Before you write off 2013 No. 1 overall pick Anthony Bennett as a bust because of his rookie season, consider his first October with the Wolves. If he can stay healthy and trim, his shooting touch and work around the basket could someday tilt the trade decidedly in the Wolves' favor, provided Wiggins fulfills expectations.
5mo Williams' presence
The 12-year veteran guard's July signing upgraded their backup point guard position and gives them a much-needed, experienced option to play at game's end, one of the team's biggest issues last season. Williams has averaged 13.3 points and 4.9 assists — and only 2.3 turnovers — during his career.
Jerry Zgoda
