Justin Verrier

Overall, do you feel any different about the title race, the top contenders than you did four days ago?

But I'm glad Isaiah kind of mentioned that because this is the Wolves' experience in microcosm.

It's true.

They project to a certain point.

There's so much talent on that team.

They ultimately always make the West Finals at this point, so they'll probably just do it for a third straight year.

But there's just like something just not quite right all the time.

And to Rob's earlier point, Rudy Gobert is complaining about guys not being locked in enough.

And he's right.

The door seems more open than it did before.

It seems like the Nuggets are dealing with injuries practically every week.

A new one, Cam Johnson, just came back, but I assume there's going to be a trade-off because that's just how it's worked for them this year.

The Thunder, once they get Shea back, seem like the ultimate trump card.

And I would assume if that one's not going to linger past March, then everything should be fine.

Other than that, I'm just seeing open doors in a way that I hadn't before.

Even the Rockets seem like they're taking a half step back every couple of days.

We talked about Cam Thomas possibly going to here or there.

I almost feel like they need that if only for a shot in the arm or just some sort of distraction from the malaise of their offense than anything else.

I don't know how I got here, but I've ultimately, because of what we've been talking about, kind of like what the Lakers did, not only because it did seem like they understood that their whole future lies ahead with Luca and this new front office where they're apparently going to hire 150 people and just be the new look Dodgers basically.

Um, but I do like getting in a shooter to almost enhance your best asset, which is that their offense, when all those three guys are there, when Reeves and Luca and LeBron are playing together could be pretty blistering.