[jbergey22]

On April 22, 1987 the Minnesota was given a NBA franchise for the first time since the Lakers moved to Los Angeles in 1960. The team was later named the Timberwolves in a vote.

Fast forward to June 15, 1989 and they start assembling a roster with the other expansion team Orlando Magic with an expansion draft. The Magic won the coin flip and elected to pick 1st in the expansion draft while Minnesota will get to pick ahead of them in the NBA rookie draft.

In the expansion draft Minnesota chooses
1. PF Rick Mahorn(former NBA champion)
2. SF Ty Corbin
3. C Steve Johnson
4. PF Brad Lahaus
5. PG David Rivers
6. SF Mark Davis
7. SF Scott Roth
8. PF Shelton Jones
9. F Eric White
10.SG Maurice Martin
11. C Gunther Behnke

In the 1989 NBA Draft the Timberwolves choose PG Pooh Richardson with the 10th overall pick, they choose C Gary Leonard with the 34th overall pick, and SG Doug West with the 38th pick.

The first head coach in Timberwolves history is Tim Swift, a defensive mastermind and great at finding that diamond in the rough.

Transactions Prior to the start of the 1989 Season
*signed Sam Mitchell as a free agent
*signed Sidney Lowe as a free agent
*Signed Tod Murphy as a free agent
*Signed Donald Royal as a free agent
*Signed Tony Campbell as a free agent
*Signed Adrian Branch as a free agent
*Traded Rick Mahorn to the Philadelphia 76ers
*waived David Rivers
*Traded Brad Lohaus to the Milwaukee Bucks for Randy Breuer
*Traded Steve Johnson to Seattle
*Released Mark Davis, Shelton Jones, Eric White, Maurice Martin, and Gunther Behnke
*11/1/1989 Traded Tyrone Corbin, Adrian Branch, & 1992 1st round pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Brad Daugherty, Craig Ehlo, & 1992 1st round pick
*11/1/1989 Traded Craig Ehlo, Donald Royal, to the Milwaukee Bucks for Cadillac Anderson, Larry Krystkowiak, and 1992 2nd round pick