Minnesota Timberwolves · Franchise era 6 of 6
The Anthony Edwards ascent: the Minnesota Timberwolves story
The story in one sentence
Edwards's fearless rise and an enormous defensive frontcourt carried Minnesota to the 2024 conference finals and a new level of expectation.
Confidence, defense and the West finals
Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert gave the era its recognizable core.
Its final meaning is still being written.
Timeline
How it unfolded
Before 2020–21
What came before
Butler ended a 13-year playoff drought, but the uneasy partnership dissolved almost as quickly as it formed.
- 15TradeJuly 6, 2022
July 6, 2022
Minnesota's enormous Rudy Gobert frontcourt bet
The Timberwolves believed the league's premier rim protector could elevate an Anthony Edwards–Karl-Anthony Towns core. Utah chose a sweeping reset.
To MIN
To UTADraftPICKround asset+7 assetsGobert to MinnesotaMIN receives Rudy GobertUTA receives Patrick Beverley, Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt + 7 more11 original assets · 3 outcomes tracedOpen trade → 2024
Western Conference Semifinals: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Denver Nuggets
2024
Western Conference Finals: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Dallas Mavericks
2025
Western Conference Finals: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder
Still unfolding
Where the story stands
This chapter remains active, so its final place in franchise history is still being written.
The core