Minnesota Timberwolves: 15 best trades in franchise history

7. Anthony Peeler and Joe Smith to Milwaukee for Sam Cassell and Ervin Johnson.

This was the final puzzle piece to the 2003 record-setting Wolves team.

Minnesota rid themselves of an aging Anthony Peeler and prime (but still not that good) Joe Smith in exchange for Cassell and little-used Ervin Johnson.

Peeler was 34 when he was dealt to the Bucks and was waived 10 days later. He only played two more years in the NBA, one with the Sacramento Kings and one with the Washington Wizards. Neither season was very productive as he averaged less than 5.8 points and 2.1 rebounds each year.

After all the ruckus surrounding Smith and his under-the-table deal he signed with the Timberwolves, they dealt him anyways. Smack dab in the middle of his prime he played the next two plus years in Milwaukee averaging 10.4 points and 7.4 rebounds. Solid, but not spectacular.

Johnson was a depth pickup for the Wolves. He only appeared in 64 games in two seasons, averaging 1.8 points and 3.1 rebounds.

The real prize in the deal was Cassell. Despite being 34 years old, he made his first and only All-Star appearance during the 03-04 season. Incredibly he averaged a career-high 19.8 points while dropping 7.3 dimes per contest.

If he didn’t sustain an injury during the playoffs, we might be talking about a whole different outcome for this Minnesota team.