After missing the playoffs for 13 consecutive seasons, the Timberwolves broke their drought last season. But the Western Conference is only getting harder with the addition of LeBron James to the Lakers. With that in mind, this question is in play: Are the Timberwolves at least good enough to make it back to the playoffs next season?
First take: Michael Rand
Well, let's start with the given: Barring catastrophic injuries, the Warriors, Rockets and Lakers are title contenders and clearly the three best teams in the Western Conference.
And if we're going by just history and math, the Lakers' addition to the playoff pool after not making it last season would seemingly push the No. 8-seeded Wolves out.
But it's also helpful to remember that the Nos. 3-9 seeds in the West last season were separated by just three games. Even if the Wolves treaded water, all they would need is one other team to fall below them to reach the postseason again.
The question hinges, then, on what to make of the Wolves. Part of me thinks they squeezed just about all they could out of last season's roster, while part of me thinks there is another gear.
Chris Hine: As constructed, I still think the Wolves make the playoffs provided there are no serious injuries to Jimmy Butler or Karl-Anthony Towns.
It's also hard to say how many wins it will take to make the playoffs. It took 47 last season, the season before only 41. In this decade, however, teams usually needed around 45 wins to make the playoffs out of the West. This Wolves team can get there. They can leapfrog the Spurs, provided Kawhi Leonard doesn't have a change of heart.