Timberwolves are clearly the West team closest to catching the Spurs and Thunder

The Minnesota Timberwolves are positioned directly behind the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference hierarchy, according to an analysis by Ethan Kinney. The assessment places Minnesota in a tier above fellow playoff contenders, including the Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, and Los Angeles Lakers.

The article highlights Denver's offseason changes, specifically pointing to the loss of their top wing defender and the acquisition of veteran DeMar DeRozan. Kinney argues that these roster adjustments fail to address Denver's defensive limitations, solidifying Minnesota's advantage over the Nuggets.