Dallas Mavericks: Predicting the Western Conference standings

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SACRAMENTO, CA – NOVEMBER 9: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves goes up for the shot against Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Sacramento Kings on November 9, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

One Year Away

This group of teams is the next grouping after the playoff hopefuls. Each of these teams are still short of a playoff berth, but may be in the conversation in the coming years.

12. Minnesota Timberwolves

One of the more confusing teams in the nation is the Minnesota Timberwolves. After a year of great basketball that landed them in the West playoffs, the team fell off once again, back to the bottom of the conference and another year of wondering where to go. Minnesota has one of the best centers in the league, but can’t seem to get anyone else to go around him.

On paper, the Timberwolves roster doesn’t look terrible, but the fact that Andrew Wiggins is still viewed as a valuable piece to the team shows that they aren’t ready to take a step forward any time soon. Even though I think Minnesota got one of the best players in the draft with Jarrett Culver, they are still a long way away from contention.

The Timberwolves won 33 games last year and I think it will be right around that once again.

11. New Orleans Pelicans

The new look New Orleans Pelicans are a team that everyone seems to be excited about this year and I can understand it for the most part. Obviously this season is ramping up to be something special if for no other reason than it is Zion Williamson‘s rookie year. Zion is probably the most anticipated rookie the league has seen since LeBron James.

Aside from Zion, the Pelicans also added a bunch of solid players from the Lakers in the Anthony Davis trade. These guys will plug right in and the Pels should be an entertaining team. Still, people want to lump the Pelicans into the potential playoff race, but this team needs time to gel and then still they would be lucky to be on the fringes of the playoffs. They definitely look good for the future, though.

The Pelicans should be in the 35-38 win range.

10. Sacramento Kings

Another young team that is working to get themselves into the playoff picture is the Sacramento Kings. Aside from maybe the Mavs, the Kings have my favorite young core in the league. De’Aaron Fox is a future star of the league, Buddy Hield is built to be a great sharpshooter, Bogdan Bogdanovic just keeps getting better and Marvin Bagley III gives the team a great forward/center to build around.

Although I think the Kings will have another really solid year, I still think they need another year of experience under their belt. These young players are strong and talented, but lack a superstar to help them get out of a bind of any sort.

The Kings should be sitting right around .500 this year.

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