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NBA Season Preview 2018-19: 20 things to watch this NBA season

By Bryan Toporek

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 11: (L-R) Jimmy Butler #23, Karl-Anthony Towns #32, Taj Gibson #67 and Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves head back to the bench for a timeout during overtime of the game against the Denver Nuggets on April 11, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 112-106. 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 11: (L-R) Jimmy Butler #23, Karl-Anthony Towns #32, Taj Gibson #67 and Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves head back to the bench for a timeout during overtime of the game against the Denver Nuggets on April 11, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 112-106. 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) /
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HOUSTON, TX – APRIL 15: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts in the second half during Game One of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 15, 2018 in Houston, Texas. 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 Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

7. Will the Timberwolves implode?

The Minnesota Timberwolves enter the 2018-19 campaign on the precipice of disaster.

In mid-June, Sean Deveney of Sporting News reported All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler is “uncertain about playing with” Andrew Wiggins, as he “had problems with Wiggins, his work ethic and his approach on the defensive end of the floor.” A few weeks later, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reported Butler “has been frustrated with the nonchalant attitudes of younger teammates—specifically Karl-Anthony Towns.”

Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN has been suggesting for months that there’s a lot of “angst” and “disconnect behind the scenes” in Minnesota, which doesn’t bode well for the organization’s long-term future. As head coach/team president Tom Thibodeau continues to gather together his old Chicago Bulls stalwarts like Thanos collected Infinity Stones, the roster could soon become divided into two separate factions: the TimberBulls versus everyone else.

With Butler set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer — and reportedly unlikely to re-sign in Minnesota, according to ESPN’s Nick Friedell — the T-Wolves will have to consider how to proceed with him this season. If his relationship with Wiggins and Towns is beyond repair and he has a foot out the door, Minnesota’s best option may be to ship him out before the February trade deadline before losing him for nothing in July.

If the Timberwolves get off to a slow start in 2018-19, the Twin Cities may be hosting a midseason fire sale.