10. Minnesota Timberwolves
There’s really no way for the Minnesota Timberwolves to salvage what this season has evolved into. However, it would be a major story (and not a great one) if the Wolves didn’t at least back their way into the playoffs as a Play-In Tournament candidate.
If the Wolves do make a move at the NBA Trade Deadline (perhaps swap out D’Angelo Russell for a point guard that fits better), it could catapult this team up the standings. If they don’t, I don’t have much hope for this team finishing in the top 10.
My thinking here in penciling the Wolves over a team such as the Los Angeles Lakers is that I can’t count on the latter to be healthy.