Another year, another Timberwolves’ missed playoff appearance.
Finishing in the bottom half of the Western Conference to miss the playoffs for 13 consecutive years seems like a nearly impossible feat.
Minnesota’s current drought is the longest active streak in the NBA and the second-longest drought in league history, trailing only the Clippers’ 15-year playoff hiatus that stretched from the late 1970s to the early 1990s.
After years of accruing high draft picks, a franchise is bound to stumble into a top eight finish at least once in a decade.
A couple picks turned out well, such as Kevin Love, who Minnesota acquired in a draft night trade in 2008, and Ricky Rubio, the No.
5 overall pick in 2009.
Cassell averaged 17 points a game the following season to lead the Clippers to their first playoff appearance since 1997.
Dwane Casey led the Timberwolves to a 20-20 record through the first 40 games of the 2006-07 campaign.
Never since has Minnesota finished a season with a .500-record of better.
Casey’s firing was just one example of Minnesota’s coaching carousel over the past 13 years.