Kevin Garnett’s iconic career, in his own words (3:10)Kevin Garnett reflects on his career and the mental strength that made him a 15-time NBA All-Star and NBA champion. (3:10)
Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett has agreed to reunite with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx in a new, all-encompassing role involving business, community and fan-engagement efforts and content development, sources told ESPN on Thursday.
The Timberwolves also will hold Garnett’s much-awaited No. 21 jersey retirement ceremony in Minnesota over the next two seasons, sources said.
Garnett, a 15-time NBA All-Star, is the Timberwolves’ all-time leader in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. He is the only NBA player to lead a franchise in those five categories. Garnett is also the only player in Timberwolves history to win an MVP (2003-04).
He led the Timberwolves to eight straight playoff appearances between 1996-97 and 2003-04, the last of those being their only campaign a playoff series win until their 2024 West finals run.
In the months following their agreement to buy the Timberwolves for a $1.5 billion valuation in 2021, Lore and Rodriguez prioritized strengthening the franchise’s culture as well as its relationship with alumni players and staffers, led by the iconic Garnett.
The Timberwolves (17-10) are again fighting for postseason positioning in the West after two straight conference finals appearances.
Kevin Garnett’s iconic career, in his own words (3:10)Kevin Garnett reflects on his career and the mental strength that made him a 15-time NBA All-Star and NBA champion. (3:10)
Kevin Garnett reflects on his career and the mental strength that made him a 15-time NBA All-Star and NBA champion. (3:10)
Garnett had been distant from the Timberwolves since his playing career ended in 2016 due to a fallout with former owner Glen Taylor, with Garnett refusing to have his jersey retired, but he built a rapport with new governors Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez and the sides found common ground on a reunion.
Under Lore and Rodriguez, the Timberwolves have invested significant resources across the organization — including commitments for a front office staff featuring president of basketball operations Tim Connelly, entering the luxury tax for a third consecutive season and continuing to progress on plans for a new arena in downtown Minneapolis over the next decade.