The Timberwolves are a sleeping giant and can shock the world (again).

Despite a promising 15-8 start (53 wins) and two consecutive conference finals appearances, it seems no one is talking about the Minnesota Timberwolves’ chances. In fact, the Wolves are on a five-game win streak and have received little praise for it.

I get it, I really do, the Western Conference features a great 23-1 Oklahoma City Thunder team. Honestly, it’s possible that no team can beat them. Additionally, the Wolves’ bench depth, especially guard depth, is a real problem, and they haven’t fared well in clutch time this year.

Now that I’ve laid out the (valid) concerns about the Wolves’ status as contenders, let me respond. This core made it to the conference finals last year with an aging and not super productive Mike Conley. There are a few teams in the league that can match the Wolves’ two-way balance and star power. And let’s not forget that this selection is not final yet; the Wolves could still very well trade for a point guard.

The Thunder should undoubtedly be the favorites in the West. But when it comes to teams capable of making a deep postseason run, the Wolves need to be included in the conversation.

The Wolves are positioned for another deep playoff run

Listen, I’ve had my doubts about the Wolves’ ability to make another deep playoff run. In a loaded Western Conference, I think that’s normal. One thing that has always kept me optimistic, however, is the Wolves’ two-way balance.

According to Cleaning the Glass (which filters garbage time), the Wolves are one of five teams with a top-10 offense and defense. Minnesota has the sixth-ranked offense and the tenth-ranked defense. The Thunder and Houston Rockets are the only other two teams in the West with this claim. In recent history, this has been the hallmark of true title contenders.

The Wolves managed to do this while their defense fell short of their elite standards. Sure, you could say this is a concern. With Rudy Gobert, however, this general range is the floor of the Wolves. Wolves also have the defensive infrastructure to go higher; they were the No. 6 defense last year and the first two seasons ago.

Say what you will about the Wolves’ defense, but their offense has clearly improved. Their sixth-ranked offense is the best of the Anthony Edwards era. Julius Randle is feeling more comfortable in his second season with the team, Jaden McDaniels is having a breakout season and Edwards’ own improvements are the main reasons for the Wolves’ success.

For me, the Jaden piece is the most crucial. In the Wolves’ past two conference finals, they haven’t had a reliable third option or tertiary creator — now they do with McDaniels. This, combined with the star power of Edwards and Randle, sets the Wolves up well for another deep run.

No one predicted the Wolves would reach the conference finals over the past two seasons. This despite being number 3 in 2024. The Wolves are being doubted again, and don’t be surprised if they silence their doubters for the third year in a row. Their selection is more than capable of this.

No team is perfect (except the Thunder)

I’m not saying you can’t point to shortcomings in the Wolves; that is absolutely possible. But that can also happen with any team except the Thunder.

Can the defense of the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets hold up? Admittedly, I have more questions about the former than the latter, but still. Are the San Antonio Spurs too young for a deep playoff run? I think so. Is this it for the Golden State Warriors? With all due respect to the great Steph Curry, I think so. Can the Rockets make a deep playoff run despite not having much experience with this core? It is possible, but not guaranteed.

Yes, the Wolves could use a point guard upgrade, but they could very well trade up. For me, it’s hard to ignore their two-way poise, star power and experience. Yet people do exactly that.

When it’s all said and done, the Wolves could be primed for another deep playoff run. While this may surprise many people in the NBA community, it shouldn’t.