- 14 seasons with Timberwolves (1995-2007, 2015-16)
- Averaged 19.8 points, 11 rebounds, 4.3 assists per game
- 10x All-Star with Timberwolves
There was never any doubt. The Big Ticket holds down the top spot on yet another Timberwolves all-time list.
Kevin Garnett was drafted fifth in the 1995 NBA Draft and spent 12 seasons in Minnesota before being shipped to Boston prior to the 2007-08 campaign. After getting his title with the Celtics and playing a couple of seasons with the Nets, Flip Saunders brought Garnett back to Minnesota in what was each man’s second tour of ‘Sota.
Garnett finished the 2014-15 season with the Wolves and played 2015-16 under Sam Mitchell after Saunders’ tragic death, and while he has not yet officially announced his retirement, he certainly appears to be done playing.
Unsurprisingly, Garnett tops virtually every Timberwolves all-time franchise list. That includes points, rebounds, assists, blocks, steals, minutes, and games played. His relationship with owner Glen Taylor appears to be icy once again; fans may recall that this was one of the largest hurdles when it came to Garnett coming back to Minnesota for a late-career reunion.
But Garnett’s first tour with the Timberwolves was unforgettable. From the 10 All-Star appearances to the playoff success in 2004, the best days in Wolves history were led by Kevin Garnett, and it’s not close.
Timberwolves fans can hope that the feud between Garnett and Taylor ends sooner rather than later; the fact that there hasn’t been a jersey retirement at Target Center as of yet is somewhat concerning, although it must happen at some point. It’s unknown what the relationship between Garnett and Tom Thibodeau is at this point; Garnett’s final departure from Minnesota did come after Thibodeau was hired, but there’s no reason to believe that there’s any bad blood between the two former Celtics.
It seems unlikely that Garnett will ever be unseated from the No. 1 spot on this list. That is, until a home-grown player leads the Timberwolves to a championship.
Next: Timberwolves: Top 5 playoff games in franchise history
Someday, right?