7 Biggest Trades in Minnesota Timberwolves History, Ranked

The Minnesota Timberwolves have made many moves to give them a better shot of winning games and improve their championship basketball odds at a sportsbook.

The Timberwolves have never made good on their short NBA championship odds nor have they ever been to the NBA Finals.

With that said, what are the seven biggest trades in Timberwolves history? Let’s find out.

7 Biggest Minnesota Timberwolves Trades in Team History

1. Kevin Garnett for Al Jefferson, Sebastian Telfair, Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Theo Ratliff, and Two First-Round Picks

Kevin Garnett was shipped to the Boston Celtics in 2007, forming a Big 3 with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen.

The Big Ticket helped the Celtics win a championship in his first season with the squad, but he also had a memorable run in Minnesota.

The 2004 MVP helped the Timberwolves get all the way to the Western Conference finals and earn the conference’s best record that season before falling to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.

KG had a guard-like skill set offensively and consistently shut down his opponents defensively.

2. Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and First-Round Pick

The Timberwolves punted on their chances of winning a championship when they sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks in September 2024.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft helped make a laughingstock franchise relevant again, as he helped the Timberwolves get to the Western Conference finals in 2024 before falling to the Dallas Mavericks in five games.

KAT’s 3-point shooting, driving ability, playmaking skills, and defence allowed the big man duo of he and Rudy Gobert to work, while allowing Anthony Edwards to thrive.

3. O.J. Mayo, Antoine Walker, Marko Jaric, and Greg Buckner for Kevin Love, Mike Miller, Jason Collins, and Brian Cardinal

Kevin Love was acquired on draft night in 2008, as he developed into an All-Star in Minnesota.

Love put up 31 points and 31 rebounds in a 112-103 win over the Knicks on Nov. 12, 2010, becoming the first player to register such an effort since Moses Malone in 1982.

4. Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn, and First-Round Pick for Jimmy Butler and First-Round Pick

Jimmy Butler was acquired from the Chicago Bulls in 2017, as the Timberwolves envisioned a Big 3 featuring him, Towns, and Andrew Wiggins.

Butler helped the Timberwolves get to the playoffs for the first time since 2004, but was shipped to the Philadelphia 76ers a season later.

5. Kevin Love, Alexey Shved, Luc Mbah a Moute, and First-Round Pick for Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett, and Thaddeus Young

Love was dealt to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014 to form a Big 3 with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, helping them win a championship in 2016.

Wiggins provided several high-scoring seasons with the Wolves before being dealt for D’Angelo Russell to the Golden State Warriors in 2020, helping Stephen Curry and company earn a fourth ring.

6. Anthony Peeler and Joe Smith for Sam Cassell and Ervin Johnson

Sam Cassell was acquired from the Milwaukee Bucks in 2003, as he became an All-Star in his first season in Minnesota and finished with MVP votes. His leadership at the point guard position helped the Timberwolves thrive.

7. Marc Jackson and Terrell Brandon for Latrell Sprewell

Latrell Sprewell helped the Timberwolves get to the Western Conference finals in 2004, averaging 16.8 points per game in his first season with the Wolves after his trade from the Knicks.