One of the younger franchises in the league, the Timberwolves, was founded in 1989 as an expansion team and has competed in the Western Conference. Like many expansion teams, the team struggled during its early years. With that said, the 1995 NBA Draft changed it all and landed the best player in the franchise’s history. From 1997 to 2004, the Timberwolves qualified for the playoffs for eight consecutive years.
The 2003-04 season remains the only season where the Timberwolves won the Northwest Division. For now, the Timberwolves only have one retired number, while the greatest player in franchise history continues to hold out due to conflicts with the owner. Since 2004, the Timberwolves have owned just two playoff appearances and one appearance in the Conference Finals. While the results don’t yield the accolades of the Celtics or Lakers, the Timberwolves have some solid players in their franchise history.
These are the all-time greatest Timberwolves.
Honorable Mentions
Sam Mitchell
Years In Minnesota: 10 (1989-1992, 1995-2002)
Minnesota: 9.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.2 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Career: 8.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Honors: None
One of the longtime greats, Sam Mitchell, joined the Timberwolves after spending time in the Continental Basketball Association. He played for three years before a stint with the Pacers. Then, he rejoined the Timberwolves and retired from the league in 2002. Mitchell is credited for helping Kevin Garnett develop when he was drafted out of high school.
Mitchell finds him in several records. Mitchell owns the second-most games played (757) and minutes played (18,394). Mitchell has made the fourth-most field goals, free throws, and steals. His 7,161 career points are also fourth.
Doug West
Years In Minnesota: 9 (1989-1998)
Minnesota: 10.2 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 2.0 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Career: 9.6 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Honors: None
West was drafted by the Timberwolves with the No. 38 overall pick in the second round. When the Timberwolves were formed, West was one of the original players to begin the team’s run in the NBA. When West left the team in 1998, he was the last “original” player from the founding roster.
West became the team’s starting guard in 1991 and later won the Slam Dunk Contest. His career high in the league was 19.1 points per game. West owns the third-most games played (609). He ranks on other lists as well, which include fifth-most minutes, field goals, and two-point field goals. West also ranks sixth in steals, eighth in assists, and ninth in made free throws.
Christian Laettner
Years In Minnesota: 4 (1992-1996)
Minnesota: 17.2 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1.1 BPG
Career: 12.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.8 BPG
Honors: All-Rookie First Team (1993)
In college, Laettner was one of the most coveted picks. At Duke, Laettner led the team to back-to-back NCAA Championships and was named the Finals Four Most Outstanding Player in 1991, as well as the National College Player of the Year in 1992. With the No. 3 overall pick, the Timberwolves took Laettner. He made the All-Rookie First Team with a career-high 18.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.3 steals.
That season was his best with the team. While Laettner won a Gold medal in the 1992 Olympics, he never made an All-Star Team or led the Timberwolves to the heights they thought they would get. With that said, his rebounding was his strong suit, where he ranks sixth in total rebounds and blocks. He just made the top 10 in points with 4,759 career points, good enough for ninth.
Al Jefferson
Years In Minnesota: 3 (2007-2010)
Minnesota: 20.1 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.4 BPG
Career: 15.7 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 1.5 APG, 0.7 SPG, 1.2 BPG
Honors: None
When Jefferson was acquired by the Timberwolves in the 2007 offseason, he was the central player involved in the Kevin Garnett trade. Jefferson quickly signed a large contract extension with the team but played only three seasons. Jefferson was only one of four players to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in his first season. The following year, Jefferson was having a career season before a torn ACL ruined that year.
Despite his short time, Jefferson ranks seventh in offensive, defensive, and total rebounds. His 300 blocks are fifth-best. Jefferson also owns the ninth-most field goals and 2-point field goals. Had he stuck around longer, he might have finished with an All-Star appearance.
10. Ricky Rubio
Years In Minnesota: 7 (2011-2017, 2020-2021)
Minnesota: 10.1 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 8.1 APG, 2.0 SPG, 0.1 BPG
Career: 11.0 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 7.5 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.1 BPG
Honors: All-Rookie First Team (2012)
The wait for Rubio was likely worth it. When the team drafted Rubio as No. 5 overall in 2009, the team had to wait for him to finish out his years with FC Barcelona. Rubio joined the team in 2011 and then played with the team up to 2017. Rubio’s career got off to a rough start when he tore his ACL in his rookie season, but he made the All-Rookie First Team after averaging 106 points and 8.2 assists in 41 games.
Rubio is potentially the best overall point guard in team history. Rubio owns the second-most assists (3,424) in franchise history. He also owns the second-most steals (845). Had he stuck around a few more years, the assists record would easily be his.
9. Andrew Wiggins
Years In Minnesota: 6 (2014-2020)
Minnesota: 19.7 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.7 BPG
Career: 19.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.7 BPG
Honors: Rookie Of The Year (2015), All-Rookie First Team (2015)
Wiggins was the No. 1 overall pick in 2014 by the Cavaliers. He was packaged in a trade with Anthony Bennett, the 2013 No. 1 overall pick, in a deal to land Kevin Love. The Cavaliers went on to make four straight NBA Finals appearances, but Wiggins was part of his historic moment. Wiggins won Rookie of the Year in 2015 in a season that featured a spectacular moment when Wiggins recorded 32 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists in a game. It was only the fourth time a player under the age of 20 performed that since 2000. In 2018, Wiggins was part of the team’s big three that helped the Timberwolves break their playoff curse.
Wiggins was later traded to the Warriors in a deal that landed the team D’Angelo Russell. Wiggins later went on to win a title in 2022 with the Warriors but left his mark on Minnesota before he left. He owns the fourth-most minutes (15,839) and third-most field goals (3,218). That includes the third-most 2-point and 3-point field goals. Wiggins’ 8,710 points are also the third-most in team history.
8. Anthony Edwards
Years In Minnesota: 3 (2020-Present)
Minnesota: 21.7 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.6 BPG
Career: 21.7 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.6 BPG
Honors: All-Star (2023), All-Rookie First Team (2021)
It’s only the third season for Edwards, but he has already accomplished more than some Timberwolves in their entire tenure. Edwards was named a 2023 All-Star selection and, to some surprise, was the first overall reserve taken in the ASG Draft. Edwards was the former No. 1 overall pick in 2020. After offering 19.3 points per game in his rookie year, he followed that up with 21.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals. He is the future and has a real shot at holding the all-time scoring mark if he sticks around.
Edwards owns 4,548 career points which ranks 10th. It’s taken him just this many games to get to this point, so who knows what he can do three more seasons from now? Of those field goals, Edwards, 562 were three-pointers. He is going to battle current 3-point field goal record holder Karl-Anthony Towns for years to come.
7. Tom Gugliotta
Years In Minnesota: 4 (1994-1998)
Minnesota: 18.2 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.0 BPG
Career: 13.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.6 BPG
Honors: All-Star (1997)
After spending time with the Bullets and Warriors, Gugliotta joined the Timberwolves in 1994. His best overall seasons came with the team. His career season of 20.6 points and 8.7 rebounds came during the 1996-97 campaign. That was his lone All-Star appearance with the team. He averaged at least 20 points per game the following season, his last with Minnesota.
Gugliotta owns the eight-most defensive rebounds (1,452) and total rebounds (1,970). His 391 steals are the ninth-most in team history as well. At the end of the day, he is one of the few players in team history to ever play in the All-Star Game, even though it is one appearance.
6. Jimmy Butler
Years In Minnesota: 2 (2017-2019)
Minnesota: 22.0 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.8 APG, 2.0 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Career: 18.0 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.2 PG, 1.7 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Honors: All-Star (2018), All-NBA Third Team (2018), All-Defensive Second Team (2018)
Fans in Minnesota might be bitter about Butler’s exit, but Butler was the primary reason the Timberwolves broke their 14-year playoff drought. Butler was acquired from the Bulls in exchange for Zach LaVine, Kris Dun, and draft rights to Lauri Markkanen. In his first season, Butler landed on the All-NBA Third Team after averaging 22.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. The Timberwolves were bounced in the first round of the playoffs, but the point remained. It has been over a decade since the team left.
What Butler did that season is more than what other modern-day Timberwolves have done. He is one of the few players to ever make an All-NBA Team while wearing a T-Wolves jersey. Butler’s controversial exit in 2018 should make any fan of the team dislike him. However, you can’t disregard the fact that his arrival was the completing factor in the team making the playoffs.
5. Sam Cassell
Years In Minnesota: 2 (2003-2005)
Minnesota: 17.2 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 6.4 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Career: 15.7 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 6.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Honors: All-Star (2004), All-NBA Second Team (2004)
Cassell has a similar situation as Butler. He might have spent limited time with the team, but his tenure owns a historic point in the team’s history. Cassell joined the Timberwolves in 2003 and was one of the best players in the league. He averaged 19.8 points and 7.3 assists and was named to the All-NBA Second Team. The Timberwolves won the most games in the West with a 58-24 record.
In his playoff debut, Cassell scored 40 points in a first-round win. The Timberwolves made the Conference Finals against the Lakers. Cassell’s back injury remains considered a critical moment. Many believe that if Cassell had not gotten hurt, the team would have made the NBA Finals instead of losing in six games.
4. Wally Szczerbiak
Years In Minnesota: 7 (1999-2006)
Minnesota: 15.5 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.7 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Career: 14.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.4 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Honors: All-Star (2002), All-Rookie First Team (2000)
Coming out of Miami (Ohio), Szczerbiak was the MAC Player of the Year. The Timberwolves used the No. 6 overall pick on him. He made the All-Rookie First Team averaging 11.6 points. He eventually grew into a 20-point scorer, his career season of 20.1 points per game during his final season. Szczerbiak was an All-Star in 2002, a season where he averaged 18.7 points and shot 45.5% from three-point range.
His seven-year tenure reaped many appearances in the records. He owns the fifth-most field goals, sixth-most field goals, and seventh-most games. He also has appearances in free throws (8th), total rebounds (9th), assists (9th), and defensive rebounds (10th). His 6,777 career points rank sixth in franchise history.
3. Karl-Anthony Towns
Years In Minnesota: 8 (2015-Present)
Minnesota: 23.1 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 3.2 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.3 BPG
Career: 23.1 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 3.2 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.3 BPG
Honors: 3x All-Star (2018, 2019, 2022), 2x All-NBA Third Team (2018, 2022), Rookie of the Year (2016), All-Rookie First Team (2016), Three-Point Contest Champion (2022)
The former No. 1 overall pick in 2016 features one of the best nicknames (KAT) in team history too. Towns is a 7-foot center that owns the most 3-point field goals in team history. On top of that, he is the tallest player to ever win the Three-Point Contest. He has averaged a double-double in all but one year. If you throw in his career 39.7% mark from the 3-point range, he is a complete player if he can stay healthy.
Towns is a prime candidate to be the best Timberwolves player ever. It will take a deeper playoff run, but Towns is the best modern-day player. He has played on both playoff teams since 2004. However, his first-round exits are a blemish. Statistically, he is high on nearly every board. He has the second-most field goals (4,283), 2-point field goals (3,466), free throws (2,223), offensive rebounds (1,483), defensive rebounds (4,154), total rebounds (5,637), blocks (677), and points (11,606). Towns are just one of two players to score at least 10,000 career points in Minnesota, while his 817 three-pointers are a team record.
2. Kevin Love
Years In Minnesota: 6 (2008-2014)
Minnesota: 19.2 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 2.5 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Career: 17.2 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 2.3 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.4 BPG
Honors: 3x All-Star (2011, 2012, 2014), 2x All-NBA Second Team (2012, 2014), Most Improved Player (2011), All-Rookie Second Team (2009), Three-Point Contest Champion (2012), Rebounding Leader (2011)
After winning Pac-10 Player of the Year and First-Team All-American honors at UCLA, the Timberwolves used the No. 5 overall pick to draft Love. He was quickly the new face of the franchise as Kevin Garnett was long gone. Love was a three-time All-Star and won the rebounding title with 15.2 rebounds per game. Love was coming off a career season of 26.1 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 4.4 assists before he was traded to the Timberwolves.
Love gets the slight nod over Towns because his All-NBA nods were both Second Team in comparison to Third Team. Love is right behind Towns on most leaderboards, though. He is third in free throws (1,913), offensive rebounds (1,345), defensive rebounds (3,108), and total rebounds (4,453). Love’s 6,989 total points are fifth in franchise history. Love’s 12.2 rebounds per game, 29.8% defensive rebound percentage, and 20.9% total rebound percentage are all team records.
1. Kevin Garnett
Years In Minnesota: 14 (1995-2007, 2014-2016)
Minnesota: 19.8 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 4.3 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.6 BPG
Career: 17.8 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.4 BPG
Honors: MVP Award (2004), 10x All-Star (1997, 1998, 2000-2007), All-Star Game MVP (2003), 3x All-NBA First Team (2000, 2003, 2004), 3x All-NBA Second Team (2001, 2002, 2005), 2x All-NBA Third Team (1999, 2007), 6x All-Defensive First Team (2000-2005), 2x All-Defensive Second Team (2006, 2007), 4x Rebounding Champion (2004-2007), All-Rookie Second Team (1996)
The greatest player in team history is Kevin Garnett, and it is not even close. Garnett is the only MVP in team history. In his 14 seasons, he made 10 All-Star appearances and eight All-NBA selections. He led the league in games played four times, as well as rebounding four straight years from 2004 to 2007. When the Timberwolves made a run for the NBA Finals, Garnett won the MVP after averaging 24.2 points, 13.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.5 steals, and 2.2 blocks. If you took Garnett off that team, they would go from championship contender to not making the playoffs at all.
Garnett’s name is mentioned 25 times when looking at records. Among his records that feature games (970), minutes played (36,189), field goals (7,647), field goal attempts (15,560), 2-point field goals (7,483), 2-point field goal attempts (14,991), field goals missed (7,913), free throws (3,743), free throw attempts (4,806), offensive rebounds (2,588), defensive rebounds (8,130), total rebounds (10,718), assists (4,216), steals (1,315), blocks (1,590), turnovers (2,404), fouls (2,438), points (19,201), triple-doubles (16), offensive win shares (79.5), defensive win shares (60.3), win shares (139.8), box plus/minus (6.2), defensive box plus/minus (2.0), and value over a replacement player (74.8). When you think of the Timberwolves, Garnett is who you should think of every time. If only one day we get to see his jersey retired but that could be a few years down the road.
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