Kevin Garnett is returning to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Minnesota traded 26-year-old forward Thaddeus Young to the Brooklyn Nets for Garnett, now a 38-year-old, 19-year NBA veteran. TNT’s David Aldridge was the first to break the news Tuesday afternoon – about 25 minutes before the league’s 2 p.m. trade deadline struck. Garnett’s agent then confirmed the news.
Source: Kevin Garnett agrees to trade, will go home to Minnesota for Thaddeus Young.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) February 19, 2015
Official: 15x @NBA All-Star Kevin Garnett is going back to where it all started. #TWolves #BigTicket #TeamASM pic.twitter.com/avQOUqFD7q
— You First Sports USA (@YFsportsUSA) February 19, 2015
Ricky Rubio told the Pioneer Press that Garnett is a “winner” and he’ll “bring a lot of toughness” to the team. Andrew Wiggins wasn’t aware of the trade until reporters told him following Thursday’s practice.
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Young has a player option next season for about $10 million, according to Rotoworld. It’s salary that Minnesota would have likely eaten had they failed to trade Young.
While speculation has led some to believe Garnett could retire at the end of the season, the Associated Press’ Jon Krawczynski is reporting that Minnesota wants to sign Garnett to an extension.
AP Source: The Timberwolves are not bringing KG back for just this year. They want to do a 2-year extension with him.
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) February 19, 2015
KG’s history
Garnett was drafted fifth overall by the Wolves in 1995. He played 12 seasons in Minnesota, 10 with current head coach Flip Saunders, before being traded to Boston (where he won a championship). He’s a 12-time All-Star and owner of one NBA MVP Award, which he won with the Wolves in 2003-04.
In Kevin Garnett's 12 years in Minnesota? 501 wins and 8 trips to the playoffs.
8 years since he left? Not so much. pic.twitter.com/1BGYF4VdcL
— Sean Grande (@SeanGrandePBP) February 19, 2015
The Star Tribune notes that Garnett brings a competitive edge and experience level that Wolves youngsters Wiggins, Zach LaVine, Anthony Bennett, Shabazz Muhammad, Gorgui Dieng and even Rubio can learn from.
Rubio: whatever he says we're gonna listen and do it
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) February 19, 2015
Kevin Garnett back to Minnesota Timberwolves is reminiscent of Henry Aaron going back to Milwaukee (Brewers) for final two seasons.
— Steve Aschburner (@AschNBA) February 19, 2015
Kevin Garnett's career in 12 seasons w/ Timberwolves:
• All-time scorer w/ 19,041 points
• 2004 MVP
• 10 All-Star selections— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 19, 2015
Kevin Garnett has more than twice as many points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks than anyone else in @MNTimberwolves history.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 19, 2015
