The arrival was seen as controversial as Sprewell was known for his choking incident with then-Golden State Warriors head coach P. J. Carlesimo, though also known for helping the 8th-seeded New York Knicks to the NBA Finals in 1999.
With a Western Conference-best 58-24 finish, the Wolves set the franchise record for wins, and won its first and only division championship.
Power forward Kevin Garnett averaged 24.2 points, a league-high 13.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.5 steals, and 2.2 blocks per game, winning the regular season Most Valuable Player Award.
In the Western Conference Finals, they faced the Los Angeles Lakers, who had defeated them in the prior season's first round in six games.
Garnett, Cassell, and head coach Flip Saunders represented the Western Conference in the 2004 NBA All-Star Game.