Small ball
While Wolves interim coach Sam Mitchell likes 6-8 Andrew Wiggins at shooting guard, several NBA teams will start two small guards in their backcourt:
Phoenix: Suns used to have Goran Dragic-Eric Bledsoe back there, but now will start a Bledsoe-Brandon Knight tandem.
Dallas: Mavericks won 2011 title with Jason Kidd and J.J. Barea. Now they have plenty of small options with Barea, Deron Williams, Devin Harris and Raymond Felton.
Boston: Up-and-comer Brad Stevens will play Marcus Smart and Avery Bradley back there a lot.
Portland: Coach Terry Stotts will play star Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum together out of necessity, with four starters gone from last year's team.
L.A. Lakers: Wolves' opening-night opponent has been starting No. 2 overall pick D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson together.
JERRY ZGODA
