Recently, ESPN released a survey of 20 NBA coaches, scouts, and executives. One question was: Who will win each conference and the NBA title? Overwhelmingly, the Oklahoma City Thunder were picked to repeat as NBA champions, earning 18 of 20 votes. The Denver Nuggets earned two votes to win the title and the same amount to represent the West.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have made back-to-back Western Conference finals. However, they are a notch below the best teams in the West, and it would be surprising if they make an NBA Finals run. This has been the consensus throughout the offseason, and NBA personnel just confirmed it.
The Thunder are the standard for the NBA
Undoubtedly, OKC is the standard for the rest of the NBA. That goes without saying for a team coming off a championship. Nevertheless, the Thunder were especially dominant, winning 68 games, which is tied for the fifth most in NBA history. Furthermore, OKC had the second-best net rating in league history and had the NBA's best defense by a significant margin. With an average age of 24.1 last season while being led by the reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder are only poised to get better.
In the Western Conference finals, OKC beat Minnesota 4-1 with an average margin of victory of 18.2 points. The gap between the two teams is clearly significant. During the offseason, the Wolves lost Nickeil Alexander-Walker and didn't make any moves to replace him. Conversely, the Thunder didn't lose anyone from their rotation. It's possible that the gap between the Thunder and Wolves could widen this season.
The difference between the East and the West is stark. Five East teams were listed as potential conference champs, but just two West teams were. If the Wolves were in the East, they could be conference favorites. Regardless, the Wolves will have to shock the world and likely dethrone the champs to make a finals run.
The Timberwolves have a lot of championship ingredients, but their competition is daunting
The Wolves check a lot of boxes as contenders. They have a superstar in Anthony Edwards and a well-rounded core. Minnesota was one of four teams that posted a top-10 offense and defense last season. Nevertheless, the Wolves are facing an uphill battle to make a title run in a loaded West, especially with the Thunder. Even the Nuggets, who brought the Thunder to seven games and upgraded their supporting cast around Nikola Jokić, seem comfortably above the Wolves for now.
For the Wolves to truly challenge the Thunder, a lot of things would have to go right. Edwards is an elite player, but the 24-year-old still has another level to reach, especially as a playmaker. With Mike Conley aging, the Wolves could look to use Edwards in more of a lead guard role, and his playmaking growth will be crucial. Against the Thunder's stifling defense, this is particularly vital. The Wolves must also get solid production from their young trio, Rob Dillingham, Terrence Shannon Jr., and Jaylen Clark.
Julius Randle must provide consistent play throughout the playoffs. Jaden McDaniels and/or Naz Reid reaching another level gives the Wolves another path to getting over the hump. For now, though, the Wolves are a tier below the best in the West. Regardless, stranger things have happened, and a surprise run for the Wolves shouldn't be completely ruled out.