Glen Taylor told Sports Headliners yesterday that his last four years as Timberwolves owner have been “the most difficult” since he bought the club in 1995. The team hasn’t made the playoffs and Taylor acknowledged the franchise has experienced financial losses of at least $10 million per season.
Taylor said there is a financial plan for next year and the franchise might make money. “It just kind of depends on how well we play,” he said.
Historically, the goal has been to break-even, and Taylor said in the past the franchise has done that or even made money. The last four years have been difficult not only because of losing money, but also seeing his franchise trying to rebuild its roster and find its way back into the playoffs for the first time since 2004. “You have to be patient and it’s hard on a guy like myself to be patient,” said Taylor, a Minnesota native who is one of the state’s most successful businessmen.
The Wolves’ rebuilding opportunity has taken longer than he hoped. “A big part of me is a fan just like everybody else and you’d like to see results faster on the court,” Taylor said.
The Wolves have five picks in next week’s NBA draft and also salary cap space for the free agent market this summer. The window of opportunity for strengthening a team that was 15-67 last season is now.
Taylor said the club needs shooters who can open up the offense and complement the talent of inside players already here. The Wolves are also in need of better defensive players.
The club is most likely to obtain player help through the draft or a trade, according to the Wolves owner. Top free agents will stay with their present clubs, Taylor predicts. “So I think it’s hard to get them away,” he said.
Those free agents who do reject their present clubs are more likely to target a contending team. “For us it might be easier to get that quality player through a trade…,” Taylor said.