Locks: Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets
Likely: Utah Jazz, Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers
Competition: Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder
The Timberwolves chance to break into the top-8
The Minnesota Timberwolves have an uphill battle when it comes to obtaining a top-8 seed in the Western conference. They have two star players in Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell, but not much surrounding that core.
For Minnesota, there are many players that could be a valuable piece moving forward. Malik Beasley, should he be brought back on a reasonable contract, could be a very good player moving forward. Jarrett Culver and Josh Okogie could hold a lot of value should they both improve their consistence on the offensive end of the floor.
Breaking out of the group that *could* make the playoffs is going to be tough – especially when competing with teams such as the Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, and Houston Rockets (with only two teams making it, out of those).
The Timberwolves are going to have a chance to make the playoffs. Doing so certainly is not impossible, but it is unlikely. The talent in the Western Conference currently is unheard-of, with lots of talent (not just the Wolves) possibly falling victim to the competition.