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Minnesota Timberwolves: Power Rankings for Lottery Teams

By Paul Bellesen

Apr 9, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) is hugged by teammates after making a game winning basket against the Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. The Timberwolves won 106-105. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) is hugged by teammates after making a game winning basket against the Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. The Timberwolves won 106-105. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the offseason in full swing for most of the NBA teams, Bleacher Report’s Adam Fromal looks ahead and makes his power rankings for this year’s draft lottery teams.

In a list that has power rankings of all the lottery teams ranked 15 to 1, he has the Minnesota Timberwolves as the number one team. With the brightest future according to 2016 draft picks, 2017 draft picks, 2016 cap space, and potential cornerstone pieces under contract.

Minnesota is in good shape to make some noise this offseason. People in national media circles are starting to take notice. Not very often have we seen the Timberwolves ranked very high in any kind of power rankings.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are the only team with four potential cornerstone pieces listed. It makes up four-fifths of their starting lineup. Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins, Zach Lavine, and Ricky Rubio. With this upcoming draft, they look to add another nice piece to make this team even more dangerous.

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They have the projected 5th pick in this year’s draft. They have made draft pick deals to acquire two extra second round picks in 2017. They have $30.4 million in cap space this offseason, giving them enough firepower to sign some key contributors.

Here is Adam’s analysis of this team.

"How many members of the Utah Jazz could turn into MVP candidates? There may not even be one on the roster, though it’s littered with potential All-Stars. The Minnesota Timberwolves already have two, and they could soon add a third with the No. 5 pick in the 2016 NBA draft.Karl-Anthony Towns, the likely Rookie of the Year, is already close to becoming the league’s best true center, and it feels like he’s only just tapping into his immense potential.Andrew Wiggins has incredible scoring talent and all-around upside, even if he’s had trouble turning those raw skills into actual production early in his career. Even Zach LaVine has All-Star potential, especially now that the Wolves have realized they’re better off playing him at the 2, thriving away from the ball.Throw in Tom Thibodeau as the franchise’s new head coach, and the porous defense should start improving quickly. Everything is trending in the right direction, and there’s no telling how long it will continue to do so.Minnesota was quite bad in 2015-16. Now, that’s going to change in no time at all."

With the signing of Thibodeau as the head coach and president of basketball operations and the addition of Scott Layden as the team’s new general manager, the first step of this offseason has been made.

Next: Projecting the Vikings 53 Man Roster

In my opinion, this is the most important offseason the Timberwolves have had in many years. Going into the draft and then free agency there will be some important decisions to come and they could impact this franchise for years. I think we have put the right people in key decision-making positions and we will have to wait and see how things shake out.

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