Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Profile: Five things you need to know

• Emerging superstar Anthony Edwards leads an exciting young core
• Rudy Gobert anchors one of the league's top defenses
• New ownership situation remains unresolved after failed sale attempt

The Minnesota Timberwolves are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis. Founded in 1989, they compete in the NBA's Western Conference Northwest Division. The Wolves are yet to win an NBA Championship. The Wolves made history when they drafted Luc Longley, the first Australian player to play in the NBA.

Key Details

Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Year Founded: 1989
Home Arena: Target Center
Championships: 0
Major Rivals: Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies

Australians who have played for the Minnesota Timberwolves

Luc Longley: Born in Melbourne, Victoria, Longley was the first Australian to play in the NBA. He was selected by the Timberwolves as the seventh overall pick in the 1991 NBA Draft. Longley played for Minnesota from 1991 to 1994, appearing in 193 games and averaging 7.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. He later achieved significant success with the Chicago Bulls, winning three NBA championships.

Joe Ingles: Hailing from Adelaide, South Australia, Ingles signed with the Timberwolves in July 2024. Known for his sharpshooting and playmaking abilities, he brings veteran experience to the team. Prior to joining Minnesota, Ingles played for the Utah Jazz, Milwaukee Bucks, and Orlando Magic. Ingles has also been a key member of the Australian national team, contributing to their success in international competitions.

Identity

The Timberwolves have built their identity around a core of young, athletic players led by emerging superstar Anthony Edwards. Head coach Chris Finch has implemented an up-tempo offensive system that takes advantage of the team's athleticism and shooting ability. Defensively, the Timberwolves are anchored by four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, forming one of the league's stingiest units.

The team culture emphasises player development and accountability. There's a palpable energy and enthusiasm around the franchise as they've broken through to become legitimate contenders in the Western Conference. The passionate fanbase has fully embraced this exciting young squad as they aim to bring championship-level success to Minnesota.

Legacy & Impact

For much of their history, the Timberwolves struggled to find consistent success. Their greatest era came in the early 2000s led by Kevin Garnett, when they made eight straight playoff appearances from 1997-2004, including a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2004.

After Garnett's departure, the team endured a long playoff drought before returning to relevance in recent years. The current core led by Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns has brought the franchise back to contender status. Their 2024 playoff run to the Western Conference Finals marked a new high point for the organization.

The Timberwolves have produced several Hall of Fame players, including Kevin Garnett and Kevin Love. They've also pioneered international scouting, being one of the first teams to extensively recruit European talent.

Five Fast Facts

1. The Timberwolves were founded in 1989 as an expansion team
2. They made their first playoff appearance in 1997, led by Kevin Garnett
3. The team's only division title and conference finals appearance came in 2004
4. Anthony Edwards was selected 1st overall by Minnesota in the 2020 NBA Draft
5. In 2024, the Timberwolves reached the Western Conference Finals for just the second time in franchise history

Club Timeline

1989: Timberwolves founded as an expansion team

1995: Draft Kevin Garnett with 5th overall pick

1997: Make first playoff appearance in franchise history

2004: Win division title and reach Western Conference Finals

2007: Trade Kevin Garnett to Boston Celtics

2015: Select Karl-Anthony Towns 1st overall in NBA Draft

2020: Select Anthony Edwards 1st overall in NBA Draft

2022: Acquire Rudy Gobert in blockbuster trade

2024: Reach Western Conference Finals for second time

Key Statistics

All-Time Record: 1,116-1,562 (as of end of 2023-24 season)
Championship History: 0 NBA Championships
Hall of Fame Players: Kevin Garnett
Retired Numbers: 2 (Kevin Garnett #21, Malik Sealy #2)
Notable Records: Most rebounds in a season — Kevin Garnett (1,139 in 2003-04)

Today

The Timberwolves enter the 2024-25 season as one of the top contenders in the Western Conference. Their core of Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, and newly acquired Julius Randle gives them a formidable combination of offensive firepower and defensive prowess. Edwards, in particular, is viewed as a potential MVP candidate after his breakout performances in the 2024 playoffs.

Off the court, the franchise faces some uncertainty regarding its ownership situation. The failed sale attempt to Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez has left questions about the team's long-term future in Minnesota. However, the addition of Michael Bloomberg to the ownership group has provided some stability and renewed optimism for the franchise's direction.

With a talented roster, strong coaching, and passionate fanbase, the Timberwolves are poised to build on their recent success and compete for an NBA championship in the coming years. The 2024-25 season will be a critical one as they look to take the next step and establish themselves as a perennial contender in the league.