NBA Season Preview 2017-18: 20 things to watch this NBA season

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors shoots a foul shot against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Five of the 2017 NBA Finals on June 12, 2017 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Bruce Yeung/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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13. Jimmy Butler and Tom Thibodeau, reunited again

Speaking of superstars pilfered for pennies on the dollar…

The Chicago Bulls finally pulled the trigger and sold low on Jimmy Butler during the 2017 NBA Draft, receiving Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine and the No. 7 overall pick from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Butler and No. 16. While the move sent Chicago spiraling into a depressing rebuild, it immediately bolstered Minnesota’s season outlook after the team fell short of expectations in 2016-17.

Butler now reunites with Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau, with whom he spent the first four years of his NBA career in Chicago. Thibs will rely on Butler and fellow longtime Bulls fixture Taj Gibson to instill a gritty, defensive mindset in a young Minnesota team that finished among the league’s bottom five in that regard last season. Butler will also help reduce defensive attention devoted to Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, making life easier for those two on both ends of the court.

With Butler, Towns, Wiggins and new point guard Jeff Teague in the fold, the Timberwolves appear poised to live up to their lofty hopes from a season ago. A 50-win campaign and a top-four seed in the Western Conference playoff bracket isn’t outside the realm of possibility.

Next: 12. The Pelicans' twin towers (and Rondo!)