Here is what you need to know before the Lakers open their season by hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves.
1) The Timberwolves organization lost one of its most beloved and important members on Sunday when head coach, team president and part-owner Flip Saunders, 60, passed away due to cancer. Saunders also left a huge mark on a pair of Lakers, as Nick Young spent two seasons under him with Washington (2009-11), and assistant coach Mark Madsen played two of his own for Saunders in Minnesota (2003-05).
Thoughts and prayers with Flip Saunders and his family.