#12 – Minnesota Timberwolves
2011/12 Record: 26-40, no playoffs
2012/13 Projected Record: 47-35, playoffs
Key Additions:
Brandon Roy – Shooting Guard
Alexey Shved – Shooting Guard
Andrei Kirilenko – Small Forward
Chase Budinger – Small Forward
Greg Stiemsma – Center
Key Departures:
Martell Webster – Shooting Guard/Small Forward
Michael Beasley – Small Forward
Wesley Johnson – Small Forward
Wayne Ellington – Shooting Guard
Depth Chart:
Point Guard: Ricky Rubio, Luke Ridnour
Shooting Guard: Brandon Roy, Alexey Shved
Small Forward: Andrei Kirilenko, Chase Budinger
Power Forward: Kevin Love, Derrick Williams
Center: Nikola Pekovic, Greg Stiemsma
The X Factor:
Ricky Rubio
The Wolves were 21-20 with the young Spaniard in their lineup last year, 5-20 with him sidelined (no, that’s not a typo). So obviously Ricky Rubio’s full (and quick) recovery from his knee injury is vital for the Wolves to have any shot at the playoffs this season.
Summary:
Despite still being run by their much-maligned front office, the Wolves seriously upgraded their squad in the offseason. Some pundits have them pegged for as many as 57 wins this year. While that might be a tad bit optimistic, there’s no doubt that Minnesota is a serious playoff contender this season. And, depending on Rubio’s health and what they get from new additions Andrei Kirilenko and Brandon Roy, they might not just make the playoffs – they might do some damage in the NBA’s second season, too.
NBA Preseason Power Rankings
#13 – Dallas Mavericks
#14 – New York Knicks
#15 – Atlanta Hawks
#16 – Chicago Bulls
#17 – Utah Jazz
#18 – Golden State Warriors
#19 – Portland Trailblazers
#20 – Milwaukee Bucks
#21 – Cleveland Cavaliers
#22 – New Orleans Hornets
#23 – Washington Wizards
#24 – Toronto Raptors
#25 – Sacramento Kings
#26 – Phoenix Suns
#27 – Houston Rockets
#28 – Detroit Pistons
#29 – Orlando Magic
#30 – Charlotte Bobcats
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