Projection ranks Minnesota Timberwolves too low in Ben Simmons race

There is no clear end in sight in the Ben Simmons Saga. As long as that remains the case, expect the Minnesota Timberwolves to be in the thick of things.

Indeed, the latest projection from ESPN experts has the Wolves very much in the conversation when it comes to landing the three-time All-Star.

Latest projection has Minnesota Timberwolves No. 4 in Ben Simmons race

As part of ESPN’s preseason predictions, a panel of experts was asked to answer five questions about the upcoming season (subscription required). The Timberwolves were mentioned as an answer to all three of the team-specific questions, and we covered the first two already.

Now, let’s focus on the Simmons issue once more.

The final question that the panelists answered was regarding where Simmons will be on opening night — which, incidentally, is only a month away.

The top answer was, unsurprisingly, the Philadelphia 76ers, garnering 55 percent of the vote. It makes sense. At this stage in the offseason, that’s probably the smart bet. The rest of the list, however, is somewhat surprising, both in regard to the teams listed and the order in which they’re found.

The Portland Trail Blazers and Sacramento Kings are tied for second on this list with each team receiving 15 percent of the vote. The Wolves are next with 10 percent, followed by the Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic, and New Orleans Pelicans.

Why the Minnesota Timberwolves should be higher on the list

Putting the Blazers second makes sense. Everyone knows that 76ers boss Daryl Morey covets Damian Lillard, and Portland’s turmoil from early in the offseason suggests that things could turn on a dime in Rip City.

Still, if Lillard stays put, there’s no chance of Simmons ending up in Portland. They simply don’t have the assets to get it done otherwise.

The Kings ahead of the Wolves is a bit of a head-scratcher. The only thing that makes sense here is Simmons’ reported preference to playing in California.

The Kings could probably cobble together a deal with a combination of De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton, Marvin Bagley III, and Buddy Hield, but they’re understandably hesitant to part with the former two players and the Sixers won’t be too excited about the latter two names.

As for the other teams on the list … clearly, the Bulls, Magic, and Pelicans are all extreme longshots. It would be a challenge for any of those teams to land Simmons.

There are a few oddsmakers that have recently listed the Wolves as the favorites or second-most-likely to land Simmons, so it was a bit of a surprise that ESPN’s panel of insiders has the Wolves at No. 4.

But, here we are. And with only weeks until the start of the season, time is running short for something big to come together.