Minnesota Timberwolves’ legend Kevin Garnett has been retired from the NBA for nearly a decade at this point. Now, he’s returning to the Timberwolves in a front office role. According to ESPN, the role will encompass business, community and ‘fan-engagement efforts,’ as well as having a small focus on content development.
This move might come as a bit of a surprise to NBA fans. After all, Garnett had stayed far away from the Timberwolves since his retirement due to disagreements with former team owner Glen Taylor. However, the relationship between Garnett and the T-Wolves has seemingly been mended thanks to new owners Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore.
The decision to add Garnett to the Timberwolves’ front office follows the commitment that Rodriguez and Lore swore buy when they bought the team in 2021, focusing on strengthening the organization’s culture and improving its relationship with fan-favorite players and staffers who’d since departed.
Will Garnett’s number finally be retired?
Despite his incredible success and popularity with the Timberwolves during his career, Garnett’s No. 21 jersey had yet to be retired by the organization because Garnett refused to have his jersey retired while Glen Taylor still owned the team.
With that no longer being the case, ESPN reports that Garnett’s jersey retirement should take place within the next two NBA seasons.
Garnett’s career with the Timberwolves
Garnett spent the first 14 seasons of his career with Minnesota, garnering 10 of his 15 career All-Star nods with the Timberwolves before joining the Boston Celtics in 2007.
In his final four years with Minnesota (2004-2007), Garnett led the NBA in rebounds per game every year, and was named league MVP in 2004. He was also named First-Team All-Defense six straight years (2000-2005).
Most notably, Garnett made the Timberwolves contenders, leading the team to the postseason in eight straight seasons from 1997 to 2004. He left the T-Wolves as the team’s all-time leader in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks.