MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
Last season: 42-40, lost to Denver 4-1 in the first round of the playoffs.
Coach: Chris Finch (4th season, 104-101).
What to expect: The Timberwolves are entering a crossroads type of season during which they ought to find out whether their bold move to pair big men Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns together can help make them a true contender. The foundation is now firmly built around budding star guard Anthony Edwards, who signed a maximum contract extension in the summer, but after missing 52 games on the 2022-23 schedule with a calf injury this will be a telling season for Towns and his long-term fit.