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NBA Season Preview 2017-18: 5 teams that this season will make or break

By John Buhler

MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 11: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves walks backcourt during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 11, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 11: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves walks backcourt during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 11, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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The 2017-18 NBA season is rapidly approaching. Here are five teams for this upcoming season is a make-or-break year.

We’re getting there. The 2017-18 NBA season is right around the corner and a lot has happened this offseason. Kyrie Irving doesn’t play for the Cleveland Cavaliers anymore. Jimmy Butler plays for a different franchise in the Midwest. Gordon Hayward took forever to pen his Players’ Tribune piece. Oh yeah, Chris Paul is on the Houston Rockets, who also have a new owner by the way.

Though Durant’s Golden State Warriors remain the crème de la crème of the NBA, their are numerous interesting storylines to follow. The Philadelphia 76ers aren’t bad, while the Atlanta Hawks’ playoff streak is likely over. Who knew that the Sacramento Kings could draft well? Are we about to see Carmelo Anthony play for 41 games in the Pacific Northwest?

In short, all we have are a bunch of questions we just don’t know the answers to. We’re going to find out sooner or later, but the wait is killing us. Some teams face no pressure this winter like Philadelphia, the Indiana Pacers and of course, the San Antonio Spurs.

That being said, there are some teams that have a certain level of lofty expectations that they just may not reach. Here are five teams that will look at 2017-18 as a make-or-break season for their franchise in some capacity.

5

Minnesota Timberwolves

West, Northwest

No, the Minnesota Timberwolves aren’t going to blow up their team if they don’t make the Western Conference Playoffs in 2018. That being said, it’s about time for the Twin Cities’ professional hoops team to get it done. They have the talent to be a top-eight team in the West, so do it!

Adding an excellent shooting guard in Jimmy Butler gives the Timberwolves great credibility to make that playoff push. An underrated signing for the Timberwolves was getting Jeff Teague to replace Ricky Rubio, who is now with the Utah.

Teague didn’t have a good year playing for his hometown Indiana Pacers. If he’s anything like he was with the Atlanta Hawks under head coach Mike Budenholzer, the Timberwolves could be pleasantly surprised at the point guard position. Let’s not overlook the physicality and professionalism Taj Gibson brings to this club at the 4.

The reason this feels like a make-or-break year for the Timberwolves is if they don’t make the playoffs this year, will they ever? All streaks have to come to an end, but it’s time for Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins to play in their first playoff games, plain and simple.

The team should be good enough to win 45 or so games to be a No. 4 to No. 6 seed in the West. Should they fall short, how much of the blame will go on head coach Tom Thibodeau? Would we still label Towns and Wiggins as can’t miss superstars if they can’t taste May basketball in 2018?