Minnesota Timberwolves · Franchise era 6 of 6
The Anthony Edwards ascent: the Minnesota Timberwolves story
Franchise era
2020–21—present
The Anthony Edwards ascent
Minnesota Timberwolves
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.
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.
15Draft-control avalancheJuly 6, 2022MIN⇄UTAGobert to MinnesotaMinnesota acquired Rudy Gobert for five players, four future firsts and a first-round swap.11 assets · 3 outcomes＋
The original receipt
Minnesota Timberwolves received
- • Rudy Gobert
Utah Jazz received
- • Patrick Beverley
- • Malik Beasley
- • Jarred Vanderbilt
- • Leandro Bolmaro
- • Draft rights to Walker Kessler · No. 22
- • 2023 Minnesota first
- • 2025 Minnesota first
- • 2026 Minnesota swap rights
- • 2027 Minnesota first
- • 2029 Minnesota first
The initial price reset the star market, but Gobert won another Defensive Player of the Year award and Minnesota reached the 2024 conference finals while Utah began rebuilding through Kessler and long-term draft control.
Open full trade tree →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