The NBA has featured franchises moving cities in the past. The reasons for relocation vary, but generally, we see a team move from their current market to a city which is more favorable for the team in terms of fan support and exposure.
The Minnesota Timberwolves were a team that have been linked with relocation in the past. In the past few years, they have been unable to be a competitive team, last making the playoffs during the 2017-18 season. However, it seems as though things could be looking up for the team. Superstar Karl-Anthony Towns is still on the roster, and they have a collection of young talent which includes ROTY runner-up Anthony Edwards. The future is bright for the Timberwolves, and it is entirely possible that they make the playoffs in the near future.
Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic has recently reported that the NBA has no plans for the Minnesota Timberwolves to relocate. Notably, Alex Rodriguez stated that Minnesota is the vision for the long-term.
Everyone involved said the commitment to Minnesota is there. In addition to there being no discussions with Lore and Rodriguez on that front, Taylor maintains that the Target Center lease, which runs through 2035, and the NBA’s preference to expand to Seattle and another city rather than have the Wolves relocate, have the Minnesotan feeling good about the team he saved from moving to New Orleans back in 1994 staying put. League sources have backed up those assertions to The Athletic, saying the league has no interest in the Wolves relocating.
“Long term, our vision is Minnesota all the way,” Rodriguez said last week. “We love it.”
This is certainly good news for Minnesota Timberwolves fans, who have been through a lot of hard times watching the team. Hopefully, we can see the team return to the playoffs in the near future, and it will be exciting to see the Timberwolves under new management in the future.
