Quick facts:Founded: 1988 Arena: Target CenterDivision Championships: 1(2004)Midwest division 1(2004)Northwest Division NoneNBA Titles: NonePlayoffs: 9Owner: Glen TaylorA long awaited return: From 1947 until 1960 Minneapolis enjoyed NBA basketball behind the George Mikan lead Lakers, but when the team picked up and moved to sunny Southern California the city was left without NBA basketball for the next 30 years. In 1985 it looked like the city might finally get another team when the ownership of the Utah Jazz were looking to sell the team to a group from Minnesota, but that was quickly spurred when an owner from Salt Lake City bought the franchise. Instead the NBA awarded them one of four new NBA franchises that entered the NBA in the late 1980s. The Wolves entered the NBA along with the Orlando Magic in 1989. Miami and Charlotte had entered a year earlier. Playoff Struggles: Why the Timberwolves? The Drought During that time the Wolves had more 60 loss seasons (4), than they did winning seasons (1). Bottom of the league Until just recently the Wolves had more 60-loss seasons than they had winning seasons. Malik Sealey: Sealy played two season with the Wolves and averaged 10.4 points per game in 113. He had one of his best seasons of his carrer in 2000, appearing in all 82 games for the Wolves and averaging 11.3 ppg on nearly 50% shooting. Sealy and teammate Kevin Garentt were close and Sealy's death had a profound impact on Garnett. The Joe Smith Scandal:In the 1999 offseason the Wolves signed free agent Joe Smith to a one year deal worth 1.7 million dollars, which was considerably below his market value. The following season Smith re-signed for just 2.1 million for one year, again considerably lower than his market value. In 2000 the Wolves, now with Smiths "bird rights" signed him to a long term deal worth around $86 million dollars, which was considerably higher than his market value. This caused some people in the NBA's front officer to begin to investigate the contract. Upon investigation it was found out that Smith and Wolves owner Glen Taylor and GM Kevin McHale had engaged in negotiations which violated the salary cap. Smith would sign with the Wolves for less for 3 seasons until the Wolves had his bird rights and then they would overpay him. The NBA would give the Timberwolves one of the most severe punishments in NBA history. The league voided out all of Smith's contracts, fined the Wolves 3.5 million dollars, suspended GM Kevin McHale for several months, suspended owner Glen Taylor for a year, and stripped the Wolves of all first round picks between 2001 and 2005. The league did ultimately return the 2003 and 2005 picks. Smith would go on to sign with the Detroit Pistons for a season, before oddly enough returning to the Timberwolves. The loss of the Draft picks and other roster mismanagement would eventually catchup to the Wolves and this scandal can be directly seen as the cause of the Wolves playoff drought which lasted from 2004-218.
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FAQs
History of the Minnesota Timberwolves? ›
The team was officially named the "Minnesota Timberwolves" on January 23, 1987. Minnesota is home to the largest population of timberwolves in the contiguous 48 states. The Timberwolves debuted on November 3, 1989, losing to the Seattle SuperSonics on the road 106–94.
Have the Timberwolves ever won their division? ›The Twin Cities professional basketball team captured its first title — the Midwest Division title — in 2004. That same year, forward Kevin Garnett became the first Timberwolves player ever named the NBA's MVP.
Why are the Minnesota Timberwolves called the Timberwolves? ›"Timberwolves" was selected by a 2-to-1 margin. Timberwolves was a fitting name for Minnesota's new team, as the state is home to the largest wolf population in the U.S. and the International Wolf Center, a comprehensive wolf research facility, is located in Ely, Minnesota.
What years were the Minnesota Timberwolves the best? ›| TEAM | REC | SEASON |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 58-24 | 2003-04 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 56-26 | 2023-24 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 51-31 | 2002-03 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 50-32 | 2001-02 |
Why is the Wolves mascot called Crunch? He was named after the team's logo and after the famous Nestle chocolate bar “Crunch.”. It was also a tribute to the Minnesota North Stars, a former pro-hockey team. Crunch loves to entertain the audience of all ages with his comical hijinks and energetic antics.
What team was in Minnesota before the Timberwolves? ›There were two previous American Basketball Association (ABA) franchises that played in between the Lakers' departure and the Timberwolves arrival: the Minnesota Muskies (1967–68), and the Minnesota Pipers (1968–69). The Timberwolves have worn throwback uniforms for each of the previous franchises.
Has the Timberwolves ever swept a playoff series? ›Anthony Edwards scored 40 points, Karl-Anthony Towns added 28 and the Timberwolves pulled away late to beat the Suns 122-116 on Sunday night and sweep the first-round playoff series. The victory came after coach Chris Finch left the game late in the fourth after an inadvertent collision with Wolves guard Mike Conley.
What is the oldest NBA team? ›The Kings compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. The Kings are the oldest team in the NBA, and the first team in the major professional North American sports leagues located in Sacramento. The team plays its home games at the Golden 1 Center.
What team does Michael Jordan own? ›He became part-owner and head of basketball operations for the Charlotte Hornets (then named the Bobcats) in 2006 and bought a controlling interest in 2010, before selling his majority stake in 2023. He is also the owner of 23XI Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Who owns Timberwolves now? ›The ownership battle for the Timberwolves between majority shareholder Glen Taylor and minority shareholders Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez is adding some financial heft. Michael Bloomberg has agreed to join the ownership group of Lore and Rodriguez, sources confirmed to the Star Tribune.
Who is the best basketball player in the Minnesota Timberwolves? ›
Anthony Edwards is the Timberwolves' highest-ranked player, coming in at No. 14, somehow a spot behind New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson. One would have to imagine not too many NBA general managers would agree with that assessment.
Who is number 1 for the Timberwolves? ›| Name | POS | AGE |
|---|---|---|
| K. Anderson #1 | SF | 30 |
| L. Miller #33 | SF | 20 |
| L. Garza #55 | PF | 25 |
| M. Conley #10 | PG | 36 |
The 2014–15 Minnesota Timberwolves season was the 26th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Timberwolves finished with the worst record in the league at 16–66 and missed the NBA Playoffs for the 11th straight year.
How much does the Timberwolves mascot make a year? ›Crunch the Wolf's salary is not public information, but it is estimated to be around $25,000 per year.
Does Glen Taylor still own the Timberwolves? ›Now, Taylor owns 36.1 percent of the Timberwolves, and Lore and A-Rod 36 percent. Other investors own smaller stakes.
How much do NBA mascots get paid? ›According to The Grueling Truth, the mascots of the major leagues in the North American country are earning an average salary of $65,000 per year. To get an idea, the salary is much higher than what a teacher ($57,600), a policeman ($63,600), a firefighter ($65,800) or a journalist ($56,700) earns.
Have the Timberwolves ever made the conference finals? ›T-wolves realize returning to Western Conference finals — and advancing further — comes with cost. MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Timberwolves have their entire core signed for next season and beyond, boasting two All-Stars and multiple award winners from this breakthrough journey to the Western Conference finals.
Have the Minnesota Wild ever won their division? ›Also, Jacques Lemaire recorded his 500th career coaching win as the Wild clinched their first-ever Northwest Division title in a 3–1 victory over the Calgary Flames on April 3, 2008.
Was Minnesota Timberwolves ever in the Eastern Conference? › Which NBA division has the most championships? ›The Eastern Division/Conference has provided the most champions, with 40 wins from 11 franchises with the most recent being the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021; the Western Division/Conference has 37, from nine franchises including the defending champion Nuggets.