Minnesota Timberwolves
2017-18 record: 47-35
2017-18 season series: 2-0, Sixers
2018-19 advantage: Sixers
Let’s act as though Jimmy Butler is gone on opening night. The Timberwolves are not that good, especially if Derrick Rose is the starting two-guard. Their defense struggled last season and losing Butler doesn’t exactly help.
On the offensive end, Karl-Anthony Towns should be the clear usage leader. That might not happen, though, with Andrew Wiggins still stepping into contested mid-range jumpers with unrivaled confidence.
D-Rose is average at best, but probably much worse, in the year 2018. The Wolves will not use him as such. Jeff Teague is an effective lead guard, but he’s beginning to decline. Taj Gibson is in the same boat. Spacing will also be an issue.
If Butler does return, the locker room drama and off-court tension might drive the Wolves into complete disarray. Either way, the Wolves are in a tough spot despite Towns’ emergence as an elite offensive talent last season.