The NBA’s annual GM survey results were revealed on Thursday. Altogether, there were 49 questions asked of the NBA’s GMs regarding the 2025-26 season. One of the questions made it fairly evident that the general managers are expecting a less successful season for the Timberwolves when compared to the last two. After back-to-back conference finals appearances, only one GM seems to believe they will get there for a third-straight year.
GM survey has the Timberwolves as the fourth-best Western Conference team
The GM survey had the general managers rank the teams in each conference. They were asked to give their top four squads in both the East and West. It seems as if only one believes that the Timberwolves will once again reach the conference finals.
They did not receive a first-place vote, got 3% of the second-place votes, 23% of third-place votes, and 30% of fourth-place votes. The points were distributed as four for a first-place vote, three for second, two for third, and one for fourth. Minnesota’s point total was the fourth-most in the Western Conference.
Last season, the GMs did get it correct with the Western Conference, at least the top two. The Thunder were first in the vote, with the Timberwolves coming in second. Of course, OKC bested Minnesota in five games in the 2025 Western Conference Finals.
Perhaps the general managers see the Timberwolves' point guard situation as a weakness and/or believe losing Nickeil Alexander-Walker will cause them to take a step back. That's why Minnesota could be in the trade market for a lead guard if that position does turn out to be a cause for concern. Young players such as Terrence Shannon Jr. and Jaylen Clark are expected to show improvement in order to help make up for Alexander-Walker's exit.
Thunder clear favorites in West again
It should come as no surprise that the Thunder again topped the vote for the West. They received a whopping 87% of the first-place votes and 10% of second (apparently, there is a GM that doesn’t see them as a top four team in the conference).
The two other teams ahead of Minnesota are the Nuggets (10% first-place votes) and the Rockets (3%). Denver still rosters three-time MVP Nikola Jokic and retooled their roster to give it added depth (brought in Cam Johnson, Bruce Brown, Jonas Valanciunas, Tim Hardaway Jr.). Houston traded for an all-time great, Kevin Durant, although they have also lost Fred VanVleet to a season-ending injury.
Keep in mind, last year’s GM survey had 97% of them picking the Celtics to win the Eastern Conference. They instead lost in the second round. Perhaps the Timberwolves can use the survey as further fuel to overachieve compared to expectations. Their regular season begins in 11 days (October 22) when they head on the road to take on the Trail Blazers.