Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett has agreed to reunite with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx in a new, all-encompassing role as team ambassador, involving business, community and fan-engagement efforts and content development, the team announced Thursday.
The Timberwolves also will hold Garnett's much-awaited No. 21 jersey retirement ceremony in Minnesota at some point over the next two seasons.
Garnett had been distant from the Timberwolves since his playing career ended in 2016 due to a fallout with former owner Glen Taylor, with Garnett refusing to have his jersey retired, but he built a rapport with new governors Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez and the sides found common ground on a reunion.
"I'm thrilled to be back home," Garnett said in a statement released Thursday. "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."
Timberwolves officials finalized the terms of Garnett's return to the franchise this month with his business manager Rich Gray and attorney George Daniel.
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).
He led the Timberwolves to eight straight playoff appearances between 1996-97 and 2003-04, the last of those being their only campaign a playoff series win until their 2024 West finals run.
In the months following their agreement to buy the Timberwolves for a $1.5 billion valuation in 2021, Lore and Rodriguez prioritized strengthening the franchise's culture as well as its relationship with alumni players and staffers, led by the iconic Garnett.
Under Lore and Rodriguez, the Timberwolves have invested significant resources across the organization -- including commitments for a front office staff featuring president of basketball operations Tim Connelly, entering the luxury tax for a third consecutive season and continuing to progress on plans for a new arena in downtown Minneapolis over the next decade.
The Timberwolves (17-10) are again fighting for postseason positioning in the West after two straight conference finals appearances.