Kevin Garnett’s name is inseparable from Minnesota basketball.
Long before the Timberwolves became a perennial playoff fixture again, Garnett was the franchise’s identity—an intense, all-in competitor who helped put the team on the NBA map.
Drafted straight out of high school in 1995, Garnett spent the first 14 seasons of his Hall of Fame career in Minnesota, becoming the most influential player the organization has ever had.
During that run, Garnett collected 10 of his 15 career All-Star selections as a Timberwolf and established himself as one of the most versatile big men the league has ever seen.
From 2004 to 2007, he led the NBA in rebounds per game each season, culminating in his 2004 MVP campaign. He was also a defensive anchor, earning First Team All-Defense honors six consecutive times from 2000 to 2005. More importantly, Garnett made Minnesota matter, leading the Timberwolves to the playoffs eight straight years from 1997 through 2004.
When he was eventually traded to the Boston Celtics in 2007, Garnett left Minnesota as the franchise’s all-time leader in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. This statistical footprint still defines the team’s history.
Now, nearly a decade after retiring from the NBA, Garnett is officially returning to the Timberwolves—this time off the court. According to USA Today, Garnett is joining the organization in a front-office position focused on business operations, community outreach, and fan engagement, with an emphasis on content development.
That separation stemmed largely from Garnett’s strained relationship with former owner Glen Taylor, which kept him away from the team following his retirement. With Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore’s long-in-the-works ownership transition—first agreed to in 2021 and finalized in 2025—tensions appear to have eased.
The reunion may also open the door for unfinished basketball business. Garnett has long declined to have his No. 21 jersey retired while Taylor remained involved with the team. With new leadership in place, the outlet reports that a jersey retirement ceremony is expected within the next two NBA seasons.