This year, we had 49 voters participate in the Canis Pulsus prediction edition. Let’s also take a walk down memory lane and see how our votes stack up against previous results.
What do you think will happen
in the 2025-2026 NBA season?
What record to you think the Timberwolves will finish the season with?
52-30 (28.6%)
Last prediction: 54-28 / 52-30
2023 prediction: 50-32
2022 prediction
: 52-30
2021 prediction: 44-38
2020 prediction: 36-36 / 30-42
Many outlets and odds have the Wolves winning just around 49-50 games this season. That seems like a mild win total, even with you consider the Western Conference getting stronger and the Wolves losing Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Minnesota went 49-33 last season despite a rather rocky season, to say the least. Voters here seemed cautiously optimistic that they’ll be able to surpass that.
Full voting results:
What seed will the Wolves finish within the Western Conference?
3rd seed (53.1%)
Last prediction: 2nd seed (29.3%)
2023 prediction: 3rd seed / 5th seed
2022 prediction: 4th seed
2021 prediction: N/A
2020 prediction: N/A
Over 95% of voters believe that the Wolves will finish the season as a top four seed in the Western Conference. Having home court advantage will be crucial in the uber competitive West, so seeding will matter. The three seed seems realistic considering their competition will likely be the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder and the reloaded Denver Nuggets.
Full voting results:
The MVP of the Timberwolves will be…
Anthony Edwards (95.9%)
Last season: Anthony Edwards (96.6%)
2023 prediction: Anthony Edwards
2022 prediction: Karl-Anthony Towns
2021 prediction: Karl-Anthony Towns
2020 prediction: Karl-Anthony Towns
Ant has now matched KAT in the Canis Pulsus Wolves MVP. A momentous accomplishment that he’ll certainly be celebrating. All eyes are on Five. Sure, he might be working on his Michael Jordan game, but it’ll be his defense and playmaking that could push him to the next level.
That yellow slice you see on the grid actually isn’t Julius Randle, but Rocco Zikarsky with two (!) votes.
Full voting results:
The best defender on the Timberwolves will be…
Jaden McDaniels (55.1%)
Last season: Rudy Gobert (63.8%)
2023 prediction: Jaden McDaniels
2022 prediction: Rudy Gobert
2021 prediction: Patrick Beverley
2020 prediction: Jarrett Culver
Wow. Wolves fans surely were in a different place in 2020, huh? Jaden was snubbed from any of the All-Defensive teams after making the second team two seasons ago. Finch has publicly challenged Slim to get back to it. There’s no reason to think why he wouldn’t get back there.
I also love the one Jaylen Clark vote that squeaked in.
Full voting results:
The best bench player for the Timberwolves will be…
Naz Reid (46.9%)
Last season: Donte DiVincenzo (74.1%)
2023 prediction: Naz Reid
2022 prediction: Kyle Anderson
2021 prediction: Patrick Beverley
2020 prediction: N/A
Looking at the list from the past four years, the Wolves have had quite the luxury of strong bench contributors. Many have been anxiously waiting for Naz to takeover as the starting power forward or center, but it seems like they may have to continue their watch. He’s comfortably slotted in as the sixth man with plenty of meat on the bone in terms of growth on both sides of the court.
TJ will also play a crucial role and received almost a third of the votes here.
Full voting results:
The best locker room guy on the Timberwolves will be…
Mike Conley (61.2%)
Last season: Mike Conley (82.5%)
2023 prediction: Mike Conley
2022 prediction: Taurean Prince
2021 prediction: Patrick Beverley
2020 prediction: Ricky Rubio
The trusty vet returns. Will this be his last season? Mike seems not to fret too much about that. He’s been more vocal this training camp and it’s perhaps he knows what’s at stake for him. He’s always been a model citizen, just as advertised, and his presence in the locker room will continue to be invaluable.
Shoutout Joe and his locker room shenanigans as well, with nearly a quarter of the votes.
Full voting results:
The player on the Timberwolves who will impress the most is…
Terrence Shannon Jr. (44.9%)
Last season: Donte DiVincenzo (32.8%)
2023 prediction: Anthony Edwards
2022 prediction: Anthony Edwards
2021 prediction: Anthony Edwards
2020 prediction: Anthony Edwards
Fans were excited for Ant to exceed expectations for four seasons, and every time, he seemed to pass the test. Did Donte impress us last year? I wouldn’t say so. But hopefully TJ can restart the streak with a big season. He’s been awesome in most of the minutes he’s touched the court.
Joan Beringer and Jaden also received a chunk of votes as well. There’s goin to be plenty of fun storylines to follow this season.
Full voting results:
The on-court Wolves “storyline” you are most excited to see develop is…
Ant’s on-court growth (30.6%)
Speaking of story lines, Ant’s on court growth is something that has fans eager for year six. It’s fairly obvious that the Wolves will only go as far as Ant can take them. Will him working on Michael Jordan moves help him get to the next level, or will he develop his defensive consistency and playmaking skills enough?
The off-court Wolves “storyline” you are most excited for is…
Potential jersey retirement (56.3%)
Wolves ownership has made subtle hints at retiring Kevin Garnett’s number. Everyone knows that 21 should be up in the rafters, but will this be the year? Fans won’t be so unforgiving if this was just another tease.
Now that season is about to begin, my feelings on the direction of the Timberwolves are…
Very optimistic (63.3%)
Last season: Very optimistic (56.9%)
2023 prediction: Very optimistic (45%)
2022 prediction: Very optimistic (83%)
2021 prediction: Very optimistic (47.4%)
2020 prediction: Slightly optimistic (55.2%)
It’s normal to feel this optimistic heading into the season, as it almost always is. Even for the vasty majority of the league. Will things get better or worse from here is the question.
Full voting results:
My hottest Timberwolves season take/prediction is…
It’s always fun reading some of the answers that come in for this question. There was a lot of comments on Jaden making a big leap, TJ surprising everyone, Rob either starting or getting traded, and a good amount of hopes for Joan Beringer. Of course, my favorite ones are the off the wall ones. Especially about some guy named Terry and Jayden!
3) Terry Shannon replaces Jayden McDaniels in the starting lineup because McDaniels is the glue that make the second unit great.
2) Bones wins starting PG role
1) 82-0 BABY!!
The Most Valuable Player will be…
Nikola Jokić (27.7%)
Last prediction: Luka Dončić (27.3%)
2023 prediction: Nikola Jokić
2022 prediction: Giannis Antetokounmpo
2021 prediction: Giannis Antetokounmpo / Kevin Durant
2020 prediction: Luka Dončić
Voters continue their revolving door of Giannis, Luka, and Jokić for this answer. It would’ve been nice to see more creativity here, but I do appreciate whoever wrote “Whoever flops the most.” Good stuff!
The Defensive Player of the Year will be…
Victor Wembanyama (81.3%)
Last prediction: Victor Wembanyama (61.1%)
2023 prediction: Jaden McDaniels
2022 prediction: Rudy Gobert
2021 prediction: Giannis Antetokoumpo
2020 prediction: Giannis Antetokounmpo
It seems as though San Antonio is done tanking and ready to actually try to win games. With the wins will come the accolades. Wemby will be a perennial DPOY winner soon and this season seems just about as good as any.
The Rookie of the Year will be…
Cooper Flagg (66.7%)
Last prediction: Reed Sheppard (31.8%)
2023 prediction: Victor Wembanyama
2022 prediction: Paolo Banchero
2021 prediction: Jalen Green
2020 prediction: Anthony Edwards
Another landslide vote here with some voters going with number three overall pick V.J. Edgecombe. Dallas’ injury woes just won’t seem to disappear so there should be plenty of opportunity for the Duke Blue Devil.
The Sixth Man of the Year will be…
Naz Reid (35.7%)
Last prediction: Donte DiVincenzo (38%)
2023 prediction: Naz Reid
2022 prediction: Jaylen Nowell
2021 prediction: Malik Beasley
2020 prediction: Lou Williams
Is this the return of Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid campaign? He had a solid, not outstanding, season. He was great in the games he started, but seemed to lack the oomph that got the attention of voters.
The Most Improved Player of the Year will be…
Jaden McDaniels (23.8%)
Last prediction: Jaden McDaniels (23.5%)
2023 prediction: Jaden McDaniels
2022 prediction: Anthony Edwards
2021 prediction: Anthony Edwards
2020 prediction: Jarrett Culver
This is the third year in a row that voters selected Jaden McDaniels as the best candidate to win MIP. This has always been one of the hardest awards to nail down, so why not throw Slim in the mix again.
The Coach of the Year will be…
Chris Finch (50.0%)
Last prediction: Chris Finch (62.5%)
2023 prediction: Chris Finch
2022 prediction: Chris Finch
2021 prediction: Chris Finch
2020 prediction: Rick Carlisle
Finch was predicted to win Coach of the Year fives years in a row here, but has yielded nothing to show for it. Maybe some more lack of creativity here by voters, but anything is on the table considering how many potential options that can come out of the West (behind OKC).
The 2026 Eastern Conference winners will be…
Cleveland Cavaliers (52.1%)
Last prediction: Boston Celtics (66.1%)
2023 prediction: Boston Celtics
2022 prediction: Milwaukee Bucks
2021 prediction: Brooklyn Nets
2020 prediction: Milwaukee Bucks
Many fans forget that Cleveland didn’t necessarily meltdown in the second round of the playoffs, as it was primarily all of the injuries that racked up at the worst time. They’re running it back and also adding a few key reserves to bolster their depth.
Full voting results:
The 2026 Western Conference winners will be…
Oklahoma City Thunder (43.8%)
Last prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder (47.3%)
2023 prediction: Denver Nuggets
2022 prediction: Los Angeles Clippers
2021 prediction: Los Angeles Lakers / Utah Jazz
2020 prediction: Los Angeles Lakers
There’s no reason why OKC can’t run it back as the Western Conference champs. Their young core should only be getting better with all of the experience they got in their championship run. Is the collective improvement of the West going to hinder their chances at a repeat?
Full voting results:
The 2026 NBA Champions winners will be…
Minnesota Timberwolves (48.9%)
Last prediction: Minnesota Timberwolves (49.1%)
2023 prediction: Denver Nuggets
2022 prediction: Milwaukee Bucks / Minnesota Timberwolves
2021 prediction: Brooklyn Nets
2020 prediction: Los Angeles Laklers
According to fans, the Wolves will be raising the Larry O’Brien trophy in just eight months! Weirdly enough, voters had more faith in last season’s team by a smidge.
Full voting results:
The NBA’s next team turmoil will be…
Los Angeles Clippers (17.4%)
Last prediction: Los Angeles Lakers (18.2%)
2023 prediction: Philadelphia 76ers
2022 prediction: Brooklyn Nets
2021 prediction: Philadelphia 76ers
2020 prediction: Houston Rockets
The lingering Aspiration salary cap circumvention drama is looming over the Clippers. That’s not considering how old and worn down their “reloaded” team is. Will the Unc-tion be able to withstand a full meltdown within 82 games this season?
Full voting results:
The NBA’s next team turnaround will be…
San Antonio Spurs (16.7%)
Last prediction: Houston Rockets (23.6%)
2023 prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder
2022 prediction: Minnesota Timberwolves / New Orleans Pelicans
2021 prediction: Minnesota Timberwolves
2020 prediction: Minnesota Timberwolves
As mentioned earlier, it seems that the Spurs are done messing around. Sure, temporarily losing De’Aaron Fox to a hamstring issue doesn’t seem great, but they have the reigning ROY in Stephon Castle and number two pick, Dylan Harper, ready to pick up the slack. They will be young. They will be athletic. Will they win?
Full voting results:
My hottest NBA season take/prediction is…
A number of answers here revolved around Ant winning MVP and Giannis getting traded. That said, the most hopeful and moving one was “Red Panda halftime All-Star game entertainment.” She most recently injured her wrist performing during a Minnesota Lynx home game this summer and had to undergo surgery. Reports have already surfaced that she’s healed up and ready to go, but is Target Center no longer on the docket? Good thing we’re not hosting the All-Star game!
