From the looks of things now, Kevin Garnett isn’t going to play another game for the Minnesota Timberwolves, or anyone else, as his sight is set on retiring, negotiating a buyout with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Garnett, who has one more season worth $8 million on his deal with the Timberwolves, seems to have changed his mind about playing another season in the NBA, not seeing how his body can hold up through an entire NBA season, although Garnett is more in a mentor and leadership capacity. He played just 38 games last season, averaging 14.6 minutes a night. Garnett has expressed concern about his knees holding up, and whether or not he’ll actually be able to play, and not wanting to be a liability on the court.
The Timberwolves knew Garnett retiring was an option, and their owner has said on a number of occasions that he doesn’t want Garnett to stay on for one more season just for the money, and so will be more than generous with the buyout agreement, at least from his perspective. What Garnett views as extremely generous? Hard to say. He signed a two-year, $16.5 million deal in 2015 with the Timberwolves, and has made to date over $335 million in salary since entering the NBA in 1995.
If Garnett does retire, it means he’ll be entering the hall of fame in 2021, as a guaranteed first-ballot inductee. He is a one-time MVP and one time NBA champion. Playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets through his 21-year career, Garnett is ranked 20th all-time in points, 10th all-time in total rebounds and 19th all-time in blocks, while leading the Timberwolves in almost every possible category. The Timberwolves have made all-their playoff appearances with Garnett on the ticket, including the 2004 conference finals, the team’s best achievement, and actually the only postseason in which they won a playoff series.
He made the All-Star game15 times, and the different All-NBA teams on nine different occasions. He has one Defensive Player of the Year award, making the All-Defensive teams 12 times in his career. He was the 5th overall pick in the 1995 draft, coming in straight out of high school, playing for Farragut Career Academy in Chicago.