Hoops Habit
Fansided

Each NBA team’s best trade in franchise history

By Christopher Jeter

(Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser /NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser /NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Minnesota Timberwolves

Sam Cassell and Ervin Johnson for Anthony Peeler and Joe Smith to MIL (2003)

Despite drafting and developing one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history, Kevin Garnett, the Minnesota Timberwolves spent most of the 1990s and early 2000s bowing out of the first round of the playoffs.

Why? Simply put, the front office proved ineffective at shaping a competent roster around “The Big Ticket”. Sure, they had guys like Wally Szczerbiak, Terrell Brandon, and Stephon Marbury, but more often than not, management offered little help for their franchise player. I mean, this is the franchise that cost itself multiple draft picks during this era due to tampering violations for the purpose of signing Joe Smith. That should tell you all you need to know.

In 2003, however, the team exhibited glimpses of competence. Not only did the team bring in Latrell Sprewell to add some scoring punch, but they also traded for fringe All-Star point guard Sam Cassell to run the offense. And all the T’Wolves needed to do was unload Smith (guess that signing eventually paid off) and Anthony Peeler.

If you’re wondering whether the trade worked out, this should convince you: Cassell averaged a career-high 19.8 points along with 7.3 assists, a career-best 56.6 true shooting percentage, a 22.8 Player Efficiency Rating (PER) and .205 WS/48 in 2003-04. He also earned his only All-Star nod that season and with Garnett turning in an MVP season, Minnesota won 58 games and reached their first Western Conference Finals.