Future Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett is returning to the Minnesota Timberwolves for his 21st NBA season, according to Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN. The deal is for two years with no options, although Garnett could still call it quits after next season. Garnett will get $16 million over two seasons.
Garnett was traded from Brooklyn to the Timberwolves last season in an emotional homecoming. It was the only place Garnett had agreed to waive his no-trade clause and he was instantly re-embraced by the Minnesota fans. While Garnett was technically a free agent this summer, the reality was that he was not going to pursue any other options besides re-signing with the Timberwolves to finish his legendary career.
From the moment he entered the league in 1995 directly out of high school, Garnett has enforced his own, revolutionary style of basketball. He was the fifth overall pick that year and broke out during his sophomore season in Minnesota. His range as a power forward and ability to dribble the ball was unheard of at the time. (A few years later, Dirk Nowitzki came along and carried Garnett's extremes even further.)
Garnett changed the Timberwolves franchise but became frustrated at the end. His trade to Boston netted him the 2008 NBA championship and he later moved on to Brooklyn, although that proved to be ineffective in the end. When he retires, he'll be a first-ballot pick for the NBA Hall of Fame.
To return and re-sign to Minnesota this season at the twilight of his career means the world to Timberwolves fans, who are finally building hope after some miserable years since he left. While Garnett isn't an impact player at 39 years old, he can still contribute off the bench as he plays out his career in Minnesota.