How the Minnesota Timberwolves squandered Kevin Garnett's prime, then lost him

Believe it or not, the Minnesota Timberwolves were once really good. In 2004, the LA Lakers dynasty crumbled, and a vacuum opened for a new Western Conference power to emerge. With coach Flip Saunders, superstar power forward Kevin Garnett, and a new veteran core that had just challenged LA in the Western Conference Finals, the Wolves looked like a strong contender to take over the West.

They did not do that, and this episode of Collapse explains why. Building a contending team took time, and keeping it together required some politics and financial maneuvering on which Minnesota GM Kevin McHale didn't exactly stick the landing. The team's performance slipped following its Conference Final berth, and McHale reacted by gradually replacing parts, only to hurt the roster with each move. It took bad firings, bad trades, bad draft picks, and more to turn an excellent team led by Garnett into a terrible team with no Garnett and nothing to show for having lost him.

Edited by Ryan Simmons
Motion graphics by Mike Das
Written and produced by Seth Rosenthal

[Baseballbat]

Boston took Kevin Garnett, Randy Moss, and David Ortiz from Minnesota all in a span of 4 years

[torachan]

At least Kevin Garnett won’t have an “Untitled” episode about him

[Virgil]

"Glen Taylor didn't really help. He's just really rich." That about sums it up

[Tex_Mex_A_Lex]

If KG had those uncut gems, he would've won a finals in Minneapolis.

[barryallen]

I used to think Sam Cassell looked old on those Twolves teams. Now he's a coach and looks the same age.

[Zachito]

Growing up a Twolves fan after the Bulls dismantled, 2004 made me very happy. That said I haven’t been as happy since 2004

[matthewshortle]

Being Minnesota sports fan is like getting punched in the groin every single year.

[Zoyx]

As a T-wolves fan, so glad Garnett got his title. He wasn't going to get it in Minnesota.

[jaywaz]

As a Wolves fan, I thought I couldn’t get anymore miserable

[jonahwhitney]

Garnett was a different kind of beast in Minnesota. Its a shame it took going somewhere else to get a title.

[calebgee]

Its a beautiful day in Minnesota, I was happy and ready for a good day, then this video was dropped in front of me

[marcus]

I can't believe how badly the Timberwolves blew KG's prime years. He could've been the centerpiece of a title team in Minneapolis.

[roryjamesoconnell]

The early 2010s Detroit Tigers would make a fine subject.

[uncreative]

I was way too young to know or remember KG in Minnesota, but this was excellent and interesting. I never knew about his supporting cast until now.

[Jarekthegamingdragon]

You guys could have a hay day with the Jail Blazers era

[drezzk]

Don’t forget that the Wolves had Chauncey Billups and didn’t resign him in I think 2002, if they kept him they wouldn’t have needed Cassell

[matthewschauer]

You could do a whole series on Minnesota wasting talent.

[wyattcorbin]

KG was so freaking phenomenal. Easily one of the most underrated superstars ever.

[Nick_Simpson]

When you realize Minnesota could’ve drafted Curry and Derozan but instead took Rubio and Flynn

[Teachingcasuals]

Sprewell “I got a family to feed” *retires one year later