The Stars and Stories of the Wolves
Since the Minnesota Timberwolves entered the league three and half decades ago, fans in the Gopher State have been treated to one of the game’s greats, several compelling contenders, and a potential future face of the league.
Coming off back-to-back Western Conference Finals, with a young superstar and a team on the rise, collectors have a ton of options when it comes to telling the story of the Wolves.
Let’s get into it.
Timberwolves Mount Rushmore
As one of the league’s younger franchises, the Timberwolves’ Mount Rushmore is comprised of modern players who’ve helped shape the team into something great in the 21st century.
2005 Topps Chrome Basketball #64 Kevin Garnett SuperFractor 1/1
Player Accomplishments
• 2004 MVP
• 15x All-Star
• 2003 All-Star Game MVP
Card Info
• One-of-a-kind Garnett Superfractor is the biggest Garnett Topps sale ever
Player Impact
• The Big Ticket changed the franchise, elevating the Wolves into Prime Time and taking the organization to a new level
2008 Topps Chrome Basketball #185 Kevin Love RC Gold Refractor /50
Player Accomplishments
• 2016 Champion
• 5x All-Star
• 2x All-League Second-Team
Card Info
• Kevin Love RC has sold for as much as $6,000 (Red Refractor /5)
Player Impact
• A skilled scorer, prolific rebounder, and excellent passer, Love put up memorable performances in Minnesota, including his incredible 31-point, 31-rebound effort in a win over the Knicks
2024 Topps Chrome McDonald’s All-American #98 Karl-Anthony Towns Aqua Wave Refractor /199
Player Accomplishments
• 5x All-Star
• 2016 Rookie of the Year
• 3x All-League Third-Team
Card Info
• Fun offering capturing Towns as an elite prospect
Player Impact
• A top overall draft pick, the skilled and talented Towns re-energized the franchise, leading the team back to the playoffs for the first time in 14 years in 2018, before teaming with Anthony Edwards in 2024 to bring the Wolves to the conference finals for the first time in 20 years
2024 Topps Chrome Basketball Ultraviolet All-Stars #UVAS-11 Anthony Edwards
Player Accomplishments
• 3x All-Star
• 2x All-League Second Team
• 2024 Paris Olympics Gold Medal Winner
Card Info
• 2024 Chrome insert that pops out of the hand
Player Impact
• One of basketball’s greatest athletes, a fearsome competitor and vicious dunker, Edwards has emerged as one of the most popular stars in American sport
Collecting the Kevin Garnett Years
Six years into existence, without a playoff appearance, Minnesota caught a franchise-altering break when high school phenom Kevin Garnett fell to them with the fifth pick of the draft. A prototypical unicorn, the do-it-all, hyper-athletic, hyper-competitive KG carried the Wolves to relevance, helping them to the playoffs in only his second season. At just 20 years old, the Big Ticket earned his first of 15 All-Star selections. A new era loomed in the Twin Cities.
For an eight-year span, the Timberwolves battled in a loaded Western Conference, winning 50 or more games four times. The playoffs were a tough nut to crack, but in 2003/04, Minnesota leveled up.
A franchise record 59-win season was followed by an enthralling run to the conference finals, where Garnett and co. were beaten in a hard-fought six game series. Garnett’s year was one for the ages, winning MVP after averaging 24.2 PPG, 13.9 RPG, 5 APG, 1.5 SPG, and 2.2 blocks per game.
The 2004 team remains a beloved one in the city, as Garnett was joined by a well-rounded group including clutch point guard Sam Cassell, explosive wing Latrell Sprewell, and sharpshooter Wally Szczerbiak. All three are there for the chasing among Topps basketball releases of the time.
Another intriguing option is NYC legend Stephon Marbury, who started his career with the Wolves, providing top-level entertainment and excitement at the point. His 1996 card from popular insert Youthquake is just one option to commemorate Starbury’s star turn in Minnesota.
KAT Brings New Hope to Minnesota
After Garnett departed, Minnesota struggled, missing the playoffs for 10 straight years (after also missing out for the last three years of KG’s time with the team). But two top overall picks in two years, Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns, would reenergize the franchise.
Wiggins would move on, but KAT would get another running mate very quickly, who turned into a leading man all his own. Anthony Edwards’ all-world athleticism and drive have made him the face of the franchise, and a potential future MVP.
Fan-Favorite Timberwolves
While championship success has eluded the Wolves, plenty of fan favorites have made their way through Minnesota, endearing them to the fanbase.
From 2002 All-Star Wally Szczerbiak to 1997 All-Star Tom Gugliotta, to Dream Teamer Christian Laettner, there are plenty of players who belong in the heart of any Timberwolves collection.
Playmaking wizard Ricky Rubio was a one-man highlight reel in his time with Minnesota. At age 14, he became the youngest player ever to play in Spanish professional basketball. With a beautiful handle and impossible court vision, he wowed fans in both Europe and the U.S. for years. He also took home Olympic silver and bronze medals with the Spanish National Team.
The Ant-Man Era
The Timberwolves have emerged as title contenders in recent years, with Anthony Edwards turning into a superstar in a matter of years. A tough, gritty group surrounds the franchise player, providing plenty of avenues for collecting. Edwards will no doubt be a major piece of future Topps Basketball releases.
Edwards has benefitted from the veteran presence of point guard Mike Conley Jr., one of the most underrated players in modern league history. He brought with him the cerebral play and competitiveness that helped lead the Grit n’ Grind era in Memphis, and his RC can be found in 2007 Topps Basketball.
Three-time All-Star Julius Randle and four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert are both fantastic additions to a Wolves collection as well.
Capturing History Your Way
From the Big Ticket to Ant-Man, Minnesota’s best players, best teams, and best stories span these last two decades, running the gamut from legendary superstars, to basketball phenoms, to a young Alpha on the rise.
Fans and collectors have a ton of options when it comes to building out a collection that captures the story of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
