The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: Way too early predictions for 2019-20 Western Conference standings

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 09: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets tries to drive through the defense Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz in the first half of a NBA game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 09, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 09: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets tries to drive through the defense Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz in the first half of a NBA game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 09, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – APRIL 01: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves has the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers during the game on April 1, 2019 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – APRIL 01: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves has the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers during the game on April 1, 2019 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

12. Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves had hoped to add D’Angelo Russell to pair alongside All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns this summer, but unfortunately it wasn’t in the cards as Russell ended up instead with the Golden State Warriors via sign-and-trade. This prevented the Wolves from making anything resembling a big splash, meaning more than anything they’ll have to rely on internal improvement in order to get better.

Considering how much they’ve struggled since parting with Jimmy Butler, I’m not too high on their odds. None of their offseason additions get me all that excited either, which means we will likely see a team quite similar to the one of a year ago yet again. For reference, that team finished 11th in the Western Conference, but since so many teams around Minnesota got better, I’m projecting a bit of a slide.

I suppose KAT could take a massive leap, especially under head coach Ryan Saunders who figures to extend him more freedom and flexibility this season, that Andrew Wiggins could finally break out of what’s been a multi-year slump of disappointment, and that perhaps Robert Covington‘s return from injury could significantly help. If all that comes together, I could be dead wrong on the Wolves.

But they’ve done a sorry job of proving me wrong in the past and I have a hard time seeing that fate changing now.

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