One of the Timberwolves biggest stars is apparently making a return to Minnesota.
The Minnesota Timberwolves Thursday announced that franchise legend and Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett has officially joined the organization as Team Ambassador, marking a historic reunion between the team and its most iconic player.
According to the Wolves, Garnett "will serve in a visible and active role with the Timberwolves and Lynx, strengthening the teams’ deep Minnesota roots by attending select home games, elevating the fan experience, championing community initiatives across the Twin Cities and helping shape the teams’ stories through exclusive content."
“I’m thrilled to be back home,” said Garnett. “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.”
The Hall of Famer and 15-time All Star was estranged from the organization and former owner Glen Taylor since leaving the team in 2016, a brief comeback after he was traded to the Boston Celtics a decade earlier.
Charania reports that new team governors Mark Lore and Alex Rodriguez say the team will hold a number 21 jersey retirement in the future.
“The Big Ticket is back! Kevin Garnett is synonymous with the Minnesota Timberwolves,” said Co‑Chairmen Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez. “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.”
Taylor's refusal to do that was reportedly a big reason for the split. Boston retired Garnett's number 5 in 2022.
Garnett still holds a number of team records and is the only Timberwolves player to win an MVP. He led the franchise to their first playoff victories and took them to the Western Conference Finals in 2004.
The next couple of years failed to meet those expectations and the team traded him to Boston where he ended up winning a championship.
Taylor sold the franchise to a group led by Lore and Rodriguez after several years of protracted issues with the sale. Taylor claimed the group missed a payment deadline which Lore and Rodriguez disputed. It was eventually settled by an arbitration ruling and the sale approved by the NBA Board of Governors.
That, it appears, opens the way for Garnett to come back to the franchise that selected him straight out of high school as the fifth overall pick in 1995.