Kevin Garnett Set to Return to Timberwolves as Team Ambassador & Have Jersey Number Retired

Kevin Garnett Attend the 2008 ESPY Awards. Nokia Theatre, Los Angeles, CA.

Photo Credit: s_bukley via Shutterstock

By: Joshua Martin

After nearly a decade of estrangement from the franchise, Kevin Garnett is a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves once again. Officially titled Team Ambassador, Garnett returns to the team that drafted him in 1995. Where the generational talent spent the first 14 seasons of his Hall of Fame career.

"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." - Kevin Garnett via statement

This mending of fences has also led to the organization officially retiring his No. 21 jersey number, although a date has yet to be chosen. Garnett has already had his No. 5 jersey retired by the Celtics. He won an NBA title with Boston in 2008.

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Garnett will have a role on the business side of the Wolves that involves fan engagement and content development. As of now his role will not include basketball operations but the jersey retirement was a key piece in Garnett and the ownership group mending fences behind the scenes.

“He’s the [greatest of all time] in Minnesota, and we have a tremendous respect for KG.”

— Marc Lore Timberwolves Co-Owner 

“He deserves it. All the work he put in. Hall of Famer obviously. It speaks to what he’s done for the organization.” - Wolves forward Naz Reid 

Garnett rejoined the Wolves as a player in 2015 and 2016 to close out his career but after former head coach Flip Saunders’ death, Garnett said Taylor, who owns the Minnesota Star Tribune, went back on an agreement he said the two had made for Garnett to join the team’s ownership group. That fractured his relationship with the team and Garnett has only occasionally come to games at Target Center since.

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).

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