The Minnesota Timberwolves are keeping things rooted in the Target Center, despite rumors that the team may soon seek a new home. As the NBA’s second-oldest arena after Madison Square Garden, the Target Center has hosted the Timberwolves for over 30 years. Recent investments have been directed not at a new arena but at meaningful community initiatives, such as the Timberwolves’ recent renovation of the Sabathani Community Center court in South Minneapolis through their “Our Courts. Our Future” program. This initiative, in partnership with U.S. Bancorp, reinforces the team’s commitment to local communities, with the center becoming the fifth indoor court they’ve renovated since 2017.
Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor and team officials have openly acknowledged the Target Center’s shortcomings. Its outdated layout includes a disproportionate number of upper-level seats and a limited footprint of just 3.43 acres—the smallest in the NBA. The arena’s design forces the franchise to close off 1,000 upper-level seats during the regular season due to accessibility issues.
While speculation has circulated about moving to a new location, including an earlier proposal from minority owners Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore to build near the Minneapolis Farmers Market, tensions with majority owner Taylor have slowed any concrete plans. Additionally, the city council has been vocal about prioritizing taxpayer money for city needs over stadium projects, though they’re open to discussions to keep the franchise within Minneapolis.
For now, with a hefty $237.7 million in cap allocation this season, the Timberwolves are focused on maximizing their current resources and addressing luxury tax concerns rather than funding a new arena. While it may eventually be time for a modern space like the Warriors’ Chase Center or the Clippers’ new arena, the Timberwolves are staying grounded in the Target Center—at least for the foreseeable future.