It will be a daunting start for the Timberwolves this season, with Giannis Antentokounmpo and Miami Heat first up but Lewis says the team are ready for the challenge.
“We come out of the gate hard, Miami, Orlando, and then Toronto,” he said.
“They’ve all got three bruising power forwards, which is one area where we’re a bit light.
“Everybody’s worried we don’t have size at the four, but Chris [Finch] will figure out how that looks.
“One of the things Minnesota’s going to be lucky to do is be able to play different ways and the team’s going to be exciting to watch.”
The ambition is clear for Minnesota and Lewis, the NBA title is the ultimate goal for 2027.
“We want to make the play-offs and get to the championship games, everybody wants to win a championship, but you’ve got 29 other teams that are trying to do the same thing,” said Lewis.
“Fifty-plus wins a season is what you want, that puts you in a great position to make the play-offs and to be a contender for that first seed.
“You don’t ever want to jinx it but everybody’s saying this team has an opportunity to go a long way this year, but you never know, we’ve been close every year.
“Teams are going to have to adjust to the way Minnesota plays and the personnel we have.”
In terms of his own predictions for the season, Lewis offered a few suggestions for potential Larry O’Brien trophy winners.
“It’s one of the things about the NBA at the moment, it’s somewhat unpredictable,” he said.
“Teams that maybe surge in the regular season but aren’t built to compete in the playoffs.
“San Antonio could be that team, Minnesota could be that team.
“We’ve had Denver’s number now for a number of years, other than the year they won it [2023].
“Who knows what Philly’s going to do with the additions they’ve made.”
Lewis says an NBA title would mean “so much” to Minneapolis.
The franchise formed in 1989 as an expansion team, with the supporters patiently waiting to make it to the NBA Finals.
“Minnesota fans are unbelievable,” he said.
“It goes way back to Minneapolis Lakers [1947-1960] that are now the Los Angeles Lakers, who did win a championship.
“As an organisation, being able to win in that environment against a bigger market team is always a huge success.
“It’s more for the city, it would be an amazing accomplishment.”
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