Kevin Garnett’s No. 21 will finally be retired by the Minnesota Timberwolves, marking the end of a long-standing feud and the beginning of a new chapter for the franchise.
A Reunion After a Rift
The Timberwolves announced Thursday that they had hired Hall of Fame guard Kevin Garnett as a team ambassador. The organization plans to honor him with a jersey-raising ceremony at Target Center on a future date.
The sale of the Timberwolves and the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx to e-commerce mogul Marc Lore and former baseball star Alex Rodriguez earlier this year cleared the path for a reunion that had been stalled by a rift with former owner Glen Taylor.
Garnett’s Statement
In a statement distributed by the Timberwolves, Garnett said, “I’m thrilled to be back home. Minnesota is where it all began, where I was young, hungry and learning how to compete at the highest level. I’m excited to be back in the Twin Cities at a time when Marc and Alex are setting a bold new vision for this franchise. Their leadership has brought fresh energy to the organization, and I’m excited to help build what’s next for the Timberwolves, our fans and this community.”
Career Highlights
The native of South Carolina, who finished high school in Chicago and entered the NBA draft directly, is the all-time Timberwolves leader in points, rebounds, steals, blocks, games and minutes. He won the NBA MVP award in 2004, helped the team make the playoffs eight straight times (1997-2004) – the longest streak in franchise history – and earned 10 of his 15 career All-Star selections while with Minnesota.
Past Conflicts
Garnett’s first falling out with the franchise came after the team traded him to Boston in 2007. Taylor later told a local newspaper columnist that he felt “KG tanked it” by sitting out the final five games of a 50-loss season in 2006-07 with a leg injury.
Championship and Return
Garnett won an NBA championship with the Celtics in 2008, and the team retired his No. 5 jersey there in 2022. The retirement was seen by Timberwolves fans as a frustration over his absence from the original team.
Final Years and Retirement
After six seasons with Boston, Garnett was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in 2013. In the middle of his second season there, he was traded back to the Timberwolves and re-signed for the following season before retiring.
Coach Flip Saunders and the Bridge
Garnett’s longtime coach and confidant with the Timberwolves, Flip Saunders, had returned to the organization by then and orchestrated the trade that brought him back, helping bridge the frayed relationship between Garnett and Taylor. Saunders died of cancer in 2015, and the promise Garnett believed he had from Taylor to buy a stake in the team did not pan out.
2020 Interview Quote
In an interview with The Athletic in 2020 about his relationship with the Timberwolves at the time, Garnett said, “I’ll always have a special place for the city of Minneapolis and the state of Minnesota in my heart. But I don’t do business with snakes.”
Ambassador Role
Garnett’s role with both the Timberwolves and Lynx will be “visible and active,” according to the announcement. He will attend certain home games, support community initiatives and help shape the fan experience and storytelling on team content channels.
Owner Statements
Lore and Rodriguez said in a joint statement, “Bringing Kevin home has been a priority since we acquired the teams. He is the greatest player in Timberwolves history, and his impact on our franchise and community is immeasurable,” “This is more than a reunion – it’s a statement about honoring our past while pursuing excellence and building one of the most admired sports organizations in the world. We couldn’t be prouder to welcome him home.”
Key Takeaways
- Kevin Garnett’s No. 21 will be officially retired by the Timberwolves.
- The former MVP has been hired as a team ambassador after a long-standing feud with former owner Glen Taylor.
- The organization plans a jersey-raising ceremony at Target Center and a renewed partnership with former owners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez.
The announcement signals a new era for the Minnesota Timberwolves, blending respect for a legendary player with a fresh vision for the franchise’s future.
