Editing Minnesota Timberwolves (section)

====2018: The arrival of Jimmy Butler and the return to the playoffs====
On June 22, 2017, the Timberwolves acquired [[Jimmy Butler]] and the 16th overall pick in the [[2017 NBA draft|2017 draft]] in trade for Zach Lavine, Kris Dunn and the 7th overall pick in the draft (used to select [[Lauri Markkanen]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/timberwolves-trade-zach-lavine-kris-dunn-no-7-pick-to-bulls-for-jimmy-butler/430241303/|title=Timberwolves trade Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn, No. 7 pick to Bulls for Jimmy Butler|website=[[Star Tribune]]|date=June 23, 2017 |access-date=June 23, 2017|archive-date=October 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005183519/http://www.startribune.com/timberwolves-trade-zach-lavine-kris-dunn-no-7-pick-to-bulls-for-jimmy-butler/430241303/|url-status=live}}</ref> This trade marked the end of the LaVine and Wiggins duo, dubbed "Bounce Brothers". Later that night, the Timberwolves selected center [[Justin Patton]] with the 16th overall pick in the draft. Later, the team added [[Taj Gibson]], [[Jeff Teague]], [[Jamal Crawford]] and [[Derrick Rose]] during free agency. The Timberwolves ended their season with a 47–35 record, which became the first winning season since the [[2004–05 NBA season|2004–05 season]], and secured the last spot in the playoffs on the final day of the regular season with a 112–106 win over the [[Denver Nuggets]]. The 2017–18 season also ended the longest streak without a playoff appearance at 13 seasons. The Timberwolves would be eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Houston Rockets in five games.

On November 12, 2018, the Timberwolves traded Butler and [[Justin Patton]] to the [[Philadelphia 76ers]] in exchange for [[Robert Covington]], [[Dario Šarić]], [[Jerryd Bayless]] and a 2022 second-round draft pick.<ref>{{cite web |title=Minnesota Timberwolves Acquire Robert Covington, Dario Šarić, Jerryd Bayless and a Future Second-Round Draft Pick from Philadelphia |url=https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/minnesota-timberwolves-acquire-robert-covington-dario-saric-jerryd-bayless-and-future-second |website=NBA.com |access-date=November 13, 2018 |date=November 12, 2018 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108093337/https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/minnesota-timberwolves-acquire-robert-covington-dario-saric-jerryd-bayless-and-future-second |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 6, 2019, Thibodeau was fired as head coach and president of basketball operations. After Thibodeau's firing, it was announced that [[Ryan Saunders]] would serve as interim head coach until a permanent head coach is found.<ref>{{cite web|title=Timberwolves Relieve Tom Thibodeau of his Duties|url=https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/timberwolves-relieve-tom-thibodeau-duties|website=NBA.com|access-date=January 6, 2019|date=January 6, 2019|archive-date=October 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021050412/https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/timberwolves-relieve-tom-thibodeau-duties|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Anthony Edwards Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (51734745028) (cropped) (cropped).jpg|thumb|Anthony Edwards was selected 1st overall in the 2020 draft and led the Wolves to their second ever Conference Final]]