NBA: Way-too-early Western Conference playoff predictions

Way-too-early NBA Western Conference playoff predictions

DENVER, CO - APRIL 7: Donatas Motiejunas #12 of the New Orleans Pelicans goes up for a lay up against Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets on April 7, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – APRIL 11: Steven Adams #12 of the Oklahoma City Thunder (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

5. Minnesota Timberwolves

The Timberwolves had one of the better offseasons in the NBA this year. They traded for Jimmy Butler, another guy who had trade rumors swirling around him, and made a “Big Three”. They lost Ricky Rubio, Zach LaVine, and Kris Dunn, but they should be able to manage without them.

Minnesota Timberwolves Starting Lineup:

PG: Jeff Teague

SG: Andrew Wiggins

SF: Jimmy Butler

PF: Taj Gibson

C: Karl-Anthony Towns

They have a Big Three consisting of Andrew Wiggins, Butler, and Karl-Anthony Towns, and they added a solid point guard in Jeff Teague and another tough defensive Bull in Taj Gibson. After losing Rubio, the Wolves needed to pick up a point guard, and that’s exaclty what they did.

Towns is becoming the star that so many people expected him to become, and Wiggins has been progressing nicely as well. They should be looking to have great seasons to further improve their game.

Butler is a fantastic addition for this team. He is reunited with his past coach Tom Thibodeau, and it’s Jimmy Freakin’ Butler. It’s the same guy who helped barely keep Chicago in relevancy in recent history.

This team can get anywhere from the sixth seed to the fourth seed in my opinion, so I’ll just put them right in the middle.

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