Minnesota Timberwolves

Like most expansion teams, the Timberwolves struggled in their early years, contributing to their having the lowest win percentage of all active NBA teams. But after acquiring Kevin Garnett in the 1995 NBA draft, the team qualified for the playoffs in eight consecutive seasons from (/wiki/1997NBAplayoffs) to (/wiki/2004NBAplayoffs). Despite losing in the first round in their first seven attempts, the Timberwolves won their first division championship in (/wiki/2003–04NBAseason) and advanced to the Western Conference Finals that same season. Garnett was also named the NBA Most Valuable Player for that season. The team then went into rebuilding mode for more than a decade after missing the postseason in 2005, and trading Garnett to the Boston Celtics in 2007. Garnett returned to the Timberwolves in a February 2015 trade and finished his career there, retiring in the 2016 off-season. The Timberwolves ended a 14-year playoff drought when they returned to the postseason in (/wiki/2018NBAplayoffs).

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Timberwolves experienced a renaissance in the 2020s, sparked by the selection of number one overall pick Anthony Edwards) in (/wiki/2020NBAdraft) and the hiring of head coach Chris Finch in 2021. The two have led the team to four straight playoff berths, including two straight Western Conference Finals appearances.

2003–2004: Western Conference finals appearance

In 2003, Rob Babcock was promoted to vice-president of player personnel. He and general manager Kevin McHale) made a series of strong off-season moves in an attempt to get the team over the hump and beyond the first round of the playoffs. They made two important trades, sending away forward Joe Smith) and guard Terrell Brandon in a multi-player deal for Ervin Johnson, Sam Cassell and embattled guard Latrell Sprewell. They also signed sharp-shooter Fred Hoiberg, and former first overall pick Michael Olowokandi as free agents, with both becoming key contributors during the season. The Timberwolves rounded out their bench by signing veteran role players Trenton Hassell, Troy Hudson, and Mark Madsen).

Minnesota Timberwolves