The NBA's 2016-17 General Managers survey was released Tuesday. In it, you can find a bunch of Timberwolves optimism, including:
• GMs were asked which team will be most improved in the coming season. The Wolves won, easily, getting 56.7 percent of the votes. The Wolves won 29 games last season, and have added a top-five draft pick (Kris Dunn). But, more importantly, the team hired Tom Thibodeau as president of basketball operations and head coach and Scott Layden as GM.
• Karl-Anthony Towns got big-time praise. GMs were asked the following question: "If you were starting a franchise today and could sign any player in the NBA, who would it be?'' Towns finished first, at 48.3 percent. Second was Kevin Durant (20.7) and LeBron James was third (17.2).
• Dunn was named as the player most likely to win rookie of the year. Dunn got 46.7 percent of the vote, well ahead of Buddy Hield and Ben Simmons (13.3 percent each).
KENT YOUNGBLOOD
