Editing Minnesota Timberwolves (section)

===2007–2010: Post-Kevin Garnett era===
On July 31, 2007, the Minnesota Timberwolves reached a deal to trade All-Star [[Kevin Garnett]] to the [[Boston Celtics]] for [[Al Jefferson]], [[Theo Ratliff]], [[Gerald Green]], [[Sebastian Telfair]], [[Ryan Gomes]], two first-round draft picks, and cash considerations. This is the largest combination of players and picks ever traded for a single player in NBA history.<ref>{{cite web|title=Celtics obtain former MVP in 7-for-1 deal|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=nba&id=2956104|website=[[ESPN]]|publisher=Associated Press|access-date=December 10, 2017|archive-date=August 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807071940/http://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=nba&id=2956104|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2015/07/31/boston-celtics-kevin-garnett-danny-ainge-ray-allen-paul-pierce-trade|title=How the Celtics landed Kevin Garnett and became relevant again|last=Thomsen|first=Ian|date=October 29, 2007|magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=June 18, 2018|archive-date=June 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618203157/https://www.si.com/nba/2015/07/31/boston-celtics-kevin-garnett-danny-ainge-ray-allen-paul-pierce-trade|url-status=live}}</ref> Garnett and the Celtics went on to win the [[2008 NBA Finals]] in six games over the Los Angeles Lakers.

That summer, the Timberwolves traded [[Mike James (basketball, born 1975)|Mike James]] and [[Justin Reed]] to the [[Houston Rockets]] for [[Juwan Howard]].<ref name="MikeJamestraded">{{cite web|author=Marc Stein|title=Rockets, Wolves finalize swap of Howard, James|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2903593|publisher=ESPN|date=June 14, 2007|access-date=June 15, 2007|archive-date=August 25, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070825031452/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2903593|url-status=live}}</ref> In October of the same year, the Timberwolves waived Howard after reaching a contractual buyout agreement, worth $10 million of roughly $14.25 million which Minnesota would have owed him. The team also traded [[Ricky Davis]] and [[Mark Blount]] to the [[Miami Heat]] in exchange for the Heat's [[Antoine Walker]], [[Michael Doleac]], [[Wayne Simien]], and a 2008 protected first-round draft pick.

In the [[2007 NBA draft]] the Timberwolves selected [[Corey Brewer]], with the 7th pick, and [[Chris Richard (basketball)|Chris Richard]] with the 41st overall pick, both being from the two-time [[NCAA]] national champion [[Florida Gators men's basketball|Florida Gators]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/draft2007/ |title=Draft 2007 |work=NBA.com |access-date=March 22, 2013 |archive-date=December 2, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202031912/http://www.nba.com/draft2007/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Minnesota began the NBA preseason with two games in London and [[Istanbul]], as part of NBA Europe Live 2007. On October 10, The Wolves lost to Garnett and the revamped Celtics, 92–81. To start the season, the Wolves began 0–5 before ending the drought with a home win over the [[Sacramento Kings]]. That drought also brought about speculation of the possible dismissal of coach Wittman. The youngest team in the NBA began adjusting to life after trading franchise star Garnett to Boston, meanwhile playing without budding talent [[Randy Foye]] for the first half of the season. Guards [[Sebastian Telfair]] and [[Marko Jarić]] were deputized as starting point guards during Foye's injury absence. The Timberwolves finished the season 22–60.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/standings|title=2016-17 NBA Regular Season Conference Standings - National Basketball Association|website=ESPN.com|access-date=March 12, 2008|archive-date=March 19, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319184734/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/standings|url-status=live}}</ref> On a handful of occasions during the season, the team showed flashes of its potential in wins or very close contests with top-tier teams.

In the [[2008 NBA draft]], the Timberwolves selected [[O. J. Mayo]] of [[USC Trojans men's basketball|USC]] with the third overall pick. When the draft concluded, the Timberwolves traded Mayo, [[Antoine Walker]], [[Greg Buckner]], and [[Marko Jarić]] to the [[Memphis Grizzlies]] in exchange for fifth overall pick [[Kevin Love]], [[Mike Miller (basketball, born 1980)|Mike Miller]], [[Jason Collins]], and [[Brian Cardinal]] in a move that [[Jim Stack]] called, "a deal we couldn't pass up."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/draft2008/news/story?id=3460866 |title=2008 NBA draft trades overview - NBA - ESPN |publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=June 27, 2008 |access-date=March 22, 2013 |archive-date=July 25, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725202626/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/news/story?id=3460866 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2008, in celebration of the franchise's 20th anniversary, the team unveiled an updated version of its logo and uniforms.<ref>{{cite news|title=Timberwolves Logo Undergoes Facelift|url=http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/timberwolves_logo_undergoes_facelift_080625.html|publisher=Minnesota Timberwolves|date=June 25, 2008|access-date=June 26, 2008|archive-date=June 30, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080630094607/http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/timberwolves_logo_undergoes_facelift_080625.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The new designs first appeared in the first preseason game against the [[Chicago Bulls]] at [[United Center]] on October 14, 2008. They also refurbished the floor at [[Target Center]], returning to the traditional floor pattern and added touches of varnish while exposing most of the hardwood.

On December 8, 2008, after a 23-point loss to the [[Los Angeles Clippers]] that dropped the team to 4–15, the Timberwolves fired head coach Wittman and McHale took over. McHale also relinquished his vice president of basketball operations duties. It was unclear whether McHale's future with the team was dependent on the success or progress of the team which he had put together over the previous four years.

Those questions seemed to be answered when the Timberwolves went 10–4 for the month of January, giving McHale the coach of the month honors. But on February 8, 2009, the team's main star [[Al Jefferson]] tore his [[Anterior cruciate ligament|ACL]] in his right knee in a game at [[New Orleans Hornets|New Orleans]], sidelining him for the rest of the season. At the time of the injury, Jefferson was having his best season to date, averaging 23 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jeffeal01/gamelog/2008/ |title=Al Jefferson 2007-08 Game Log |publisher=Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=March 22, 2013 |archive-date=March 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312113846/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jeffeal01/gamelog/2008/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Without Jefferson and Corey Brewer (who also suffered a season-ending injury), the Wolves sputtered, to finish with a 24–58 record.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIN/2008.html |title=2007-08 Minnesota Timberwolves Roster and Stats |publisher=Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=March 22, 2013 |archive-date=April 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130405190205/http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIN/2008.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Kevin Love 2.jpg|thumb|150px|right|[[Kevin Love]] became the fifth Timberwolves player to be named [[NBA All-Star]].]]
On June 17, 2009, new president of basketball operations [[David Kahn (sports executive)|David Kahn]] announced that McHale would not be returning to the team as head coach. Kahn did not give a specific reason for McHale's dismissal, only saying "this is going to be a transition period." For his part, McHale said he wanted to come back but was not offered a contract. Later, in August, the Timberwolves announced the signing of [[Kurt Rambis]], then an assistant for the [[Los Angeles Lakers]], to a four-year, $8 million contract to be their new head coach. In Rambis's first season, the team stumbled to the second-worst record in the league, as their 15–67 record was only surpassed by that of the [[New Jersey Nets]], who finished at 12–70.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NJN/2010.html |title=2009-10 New Jersey Nets Roster and Stats |publisher=Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=March 22, 2013 |archive-date=December 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111204004630/http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NJN/2010.html |url-status=live }}</ref>