5 opponents we'd like to see Minnesota open the 2024-25 season against

The Minnesota Timberwolves have earned their respect from the national media. Once looked upon as a middle-of-the-road Western Conference team and not a true contender, this past season proved that the rest of the league must take Minnesota seriously.

With that national respect from the media and other NBA teams alike, the Timberwolves have become a must-watch team. As such, it is not outside the realm of possibility that they could be put on the schedule for the league's highly exclusive Tuesday opening night of action in October, wherein four prominent teams face off before the rest of the association tips off on Wednesday.

But no matter which day they end up playing on, there are several potential opponents that would make for a compelling first opponent. In their rise to the forefront of the national discussion, the Timberwolves have made some new rivals along the way.

Golden State Warriors

We know that the Golden State Warriors would probably be Anthony Edwards' first choice for an opponent. He made it clear last summer that he wanted to face the Warriors in the playoffs due to the trash talking of one particular player, and the 2023-24 season did plenty to heighten the tensions between these two squads.

Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets and Timberwolves have faced off in the playoffs in each of the last two postseasons. Both matchups featured tightly-contested games between two electric teams, as well as the star power of Anthony Edwards versus Nikola Jokic. After the incredible seven-game series between Denver and Minnesota just over two months ago, this might be the most popular choice.

Dallas Mavericks

Another obvious callback to the playoffs would be a rematch of the Western Conference Finals with Dallas. The Mavs have added Klay Thompson, and this is one the Timberwolves would certainly be taking personally after nearly being swept out of the playoffs by the team from the Lone Star State.

Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies were the team hurt most by injuries in the association this past season, and some are doubting their legitimacy. However, they are well-equipped to come back as a juggernaut yet again, and Timberwolves fans have still not forgotten the heartbreaking 2022 playoff loss to Memphis. The Ja Morant-Anthony Edwards player debates are the cherry on top of why this matchup would be must-see TV.

Phoenix Suns

Many picked Phoenix to defeat Minnesota in the first round of last season's playoffs, before the Wolves ultimately decimated the Suns in a surprising sweep. Anthony Edwards took the matchup against his favorite player in Kevin Durant personally, and the two had some very fun back-and-forth moments. With Ant and KD now competing together at the Olympics, this might be the best choice for an opening night matchup.