The Minnesota Timberwolves missed the playoffs this season for the 13th consecutive year — the longest current drought in the NBA. And the last time they were there, they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games in the Western Conference Finals.
Going into the 2003-2004 season, the Wolves had been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in seven consecutive seasons, which was an NBA record. Of course, Kevin Garnett continued to be one of the best players in the league, but did not have a good enough supporting cast.
Vice President of Basketball Operations Kevin McHale, who was under plenty of criticism for not building a deep enough roster, got really busy in the summer of 2003.