At the 2017 NBA draft at Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, Commissioner Adam Silver announced that the Timberwolves had selected Lauri Markkanen. He grabbed a Wolves cap on his way up the stairs, put it on and hugged Silver.
Markkanen being a Timberwolf wouldn’t last long, as he was part of a trade that sent Markkanen, Zach LaVine and Kris Dunn to the Bulls for Jimmy Butler and that year’s No. 16 pick, Justin Patton.
That trade led to the Timberwolves’ first playoff appearance since 2004 the following season. But it also led to a complete dismantling and rebuilding of the team the following season, with Butler forcing his way out of town via trade.