The Scandal That Destroyed the Minnesota Timberwolves

🚨The Minnesota Timberwolves picked Kevin Garnett as the fifth overall draft pick in 1995, and he quickly proved to be the best player in the draft class.

💰In an effort to build a winning team around Garnett, the Timberwolves devised a secret plan to bypass NBA rules and offer him a lucrative contract.

🔍The secret plan involved signing Garnett to three consecutive one-year contracts, allowing the Timberwolves to secure his full Bird rights and exceed the salary cap to re-sign him in the future.

❌The secret plan was exposed in court, leading to severe punishment for the Timberwolves. The team lost five first-round draft picks and faced a significant setback in building a competitive roster.

🔄The Timberwolves' illegal actions had long-lasting consequences. They missed out on drafting future stars like Tony Parker and Tayshaun Prince, and their franchise struggled for years.

Why did the Timberwolves create a secret plan for Kevin Garnett?

—The Timberwolves wanted to build a winning team around Garnett and secure his long-term commitment. By signing him to three one-year contracts, they aimed to maintain cap flexibility and exceed the salary cap to re-sign him in the future.

What was the punishment for the Timberwolves' secret plan?

—As a result of the illegal actions, the NBA penalized the Timberwolves by taking away five first-round draft picks. This significant setback hindered the team's ability to acquire young talent and make trades to improve the roster.

Who exposed the Timberwolves' secret plan?

—The Timberwolves' secret plan was exposed in court during a lawsuit between Joe Smith's former and current agents. The details of the plan were brought to light, leading to the team's punishment.

Did Kevin Garnett leave the Timberwolves because of the scandal?

—No, Kevin Garnett remained loyal to the Timberwolves despite the scandal. He was eventually traded to the Boston Celtics in 2007, where he won an NBA championship.

How did the Timberwolves' illegal actions impact their franchise?

—The Timberwolves' illegal actions had a detrimental effect on the franchise. They missed out on drafting talented players like Tony Parker, and their reputation suffered. The team endured a 13-year playoff drought and struggled to build a competitive roster.

00:00In 1995, the Minnesota Timberwolves picked Kevin Garnett as the fifth overall draft pick.

00:23To build a winning team around Garnett, the Timberwolves devised a secret plan to bypass NBA rules.

03:38The Timberwolves' secret plan involved signing Garnett to three consecutive one-year contracts.

04:36The secret plan was exposed in court, and the Timberwolves faced severe punishment.

07:42The Timberwolves' illegal actions had long-lasting consequences, hurting their ability to compete and missing out on future stars in the draft.