NBA State of the Tank Volume I: Race For the First Pick

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 14: Raul Fernandez of the Washington Wizards attends the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery on May 14, 2019 at the Chicago Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 8: Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) stood beside guard D’Angelo Russell (0) for the national anthem before an NBA game against the LA Clippers at Target Center on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020. (Photo by Aaron Lavinsky/Star Tribune via Getty Images) /

Minnesota Timberwolves

Record: 16-35

Current odds: 10.5%

Remaining SOS: 6th hardest (.525)

Years Tanking: 2 years if you count that one Jimmy Butler year, 16 years if you don’t

The Timberwolves are probably the most interesting team on this list, and if one team was able to make a magical run into the playoffs, it’s probably them.

Minnesota might have won the trade deadline by receiving draft capital alongside D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, Juancho Hernangomez, James Johnson and Omari Spellman.

Even before D’Lo made his debut, the new-look T-Wolves exploded to beat the Clippers 142-115 on Saturday, with Beasley and undrafted rookie Jordan McLaughlin looking like stars.

KAT is one of the league’s best big men and should have a revitalized 2nd half playing with the best team around him since Jimmy Butler left. Still, the strength of schedule is pretty tough, and their deadline additions might have been too late to overcome the 13-game losing streak they just broke.

If not this year, the T-Wolves should be very good next season.

State of the tank: 2/3 of the puzzle