Los Angeles Lakers: 3 future rivalries to watch out for

2. Minnesota Timberwolves

The Los Angeles Lakers are accustomed to rivalries with big market teams. However, they also manage to form rivalries with teams from smaller markets. In the past, the Lakers have seen tough battles with the Sacramento Kings  and the Thunder. Now it seems that the Minnesota Timberwolves have finally arrived and are starting to improve. With the additions of Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson and Jeff Teague to go alongside Andrew Wiggins and Karl Anthony-Towns, the T-Wolves are primed to have success.

While the Wolves are further ahead in the process than the Lakers, this still has the potential to turn into a fun rivalry, with the young tandem of KAT and Wiggins vs. Ball, Ingram and Kuzma. Again, this is looking a ways down the line, but with the right moves, the Los Angeles Lakers can easily find themselves back in contention.

The last time these two met in a playoff series was back in 2004. There, the Lakers beat the Wolves in six games. Led by Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, the Wolves had a prime Kevin Garnett lead them to the Western Conference Finals, which has been their last playoff appearance since. Since then, L.A. has seen two titles while the Wolves have struggled to get to where they are now.

Barring any major injuries, these two young squads should eventually find themselves matched up again in the postseason. These teams will have a much clearer idea of where they’re headed at the end of the season. Until then, let’s see how the first game between these teames goes on Dec. 27.