[8][9] In the 1989 NBA Expansion Draft, the Timberwolves selected veteran players like Rick Mahorn, Tyrone Corbin, Steve Johnson, Brad Lohaus and Scott Roth.
[18][19][20] Other free agents included Tod Murphy, who previously played overseas in Spain, and Sidney Lowe.
[23][24][25][26] The Timberwolves received the tenth overall pick in the 1989 NBA draft, and selected point guard Pooh Richardson from the University of California, Los Angeles.
[31][32] The Timberwolves made their regular season debut on November 3, 1989, losing to the Seattle SuperSonics on the road, 106–94.
[39][40][41] The Timberwolves struggled in their first season, posting two nine-game losing streaks, and finishing in sixth place in the Midwest Division with a 22–60 record.