Minnesota 17th in league right now

The way you phrased it is a little misleading, they are behind both Houston and Portland who both have the same record 2 games better than the TWolves. But yes, very

I still don't think they've taken that next step and will end up in the 8-12 range. I am concerned that they can make a trade at the deadline that makes them good enough to go from 8-12 to 13-18, but it does look like if we want a top 5 pick we're going to have to do it ourselves.

Actually if you look at the Eastern Conference teams like Boston and Cleveland who have worse records than the T-wolves are in the 7th and 8th seed.

I'm pretty sure if you make the playoffs you're not going to be in the lottery. At this moment the T-wolves would have the 12th pick. Which isn't that bad but hopefully they get back to their losing ways!

someone needs to take one for the team and take out kevin love's legs

That doesn't take into account playoff seeding and such. If the season ended today, this is what it would look like:

1- Washington (2-13)
2- New Orleans (3-13)
2- Charlotte (3-13)
4- Detroit (4-13)
5- Toronto (4-12)
5- New Jersey (4-12)
7- Golden State (5-10)
8- Sacramento (6-11)
9- Boston (5-9)
9- Milwaukee (5-9)
11- Phoenix (6-9)
12- Minnesota (7-9)
13- Portland (9-7)
14- Houston (9-7)

The minute Kevin Love goes down is the minute my fantasy team goes down.

Just wait until Beasley gets back. Notice they didn't turn things around until he got injured. BEASLEY FOR NOH MVP