The Fallout of the Joe Smith Scandal: How It Changed the Timberwolves Forever
his name forever tied to the scandal. For Kevin Garnett, he lost his prime years with no help. No draft picks meant no depth. The Wolves peaked in 2004 with a trip to the Western Conference Finals and then faded fast. And the Wolves as a franchise scarred. Fans still point to this as a reason KG never won a ring in Minnesota. So now let’s talk
One of the harshest punishments in NBA history wasn’t about a fight, drugs, or gambling—it was about secret contracts. In 2000, Joe Smith and the Minnesota Timberwolves got caught in a scheme that cost the team millions, draft picks, and its future with Kevin Garnett.
In this episode of Overtime Sessions, we break down Joe Smith’s journey from high school star to #1 NBA Draft pick, the Wolves’ desperate gamble, the 1998 NBA lockout, the betrayal between agents Andrew Miller and Eric Fleisher, Kenneth Dam’s arbitration ruling, and the devastating punishment from David Stern.
We’ll also connect the dots to today’s NBA—where Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers face their own contract controversy. Will history repeat itself?
📌 Drop your thoughts in the comments: Could Kawhi’s situation become the next Joe Smith scandal?