On Thursday, it was first reported by Shams Charania of ESPN that Damian Lillard would be heading back to the Trail Blazers. After two seasons with the Bucks, the 35-year-old is returning to the place he called home for his first 11 NBA seasons.
It is a feel-good story for Portland and its fan base. It has been a little over a decade since the Timberwolves had a similar moment.
Garnett returned to the Timberwolves in 2015
February 19, 2015. That was the day that Kevin Garnett was traded back to the Timberwolves. Acquired from the Nets, Minnesota gave up forward Thaddeus Young in exchange.
The Timberwolves franchise career leader in every major category, Garnett, was heading back to Minnesota. Selected fifth overall in the 1995 NBA Draft, the 6-foot-11 power forward played his first 12 years with the Wolves.
His first tenure with the team came to an end in the 2007 offseason when he was traded to the Celtics. KG would play six years for Beantown (winning a title in 2008) and one full year for the Nets before being traded in the midst of his second.
Unfortunately, Garnett returned to play just five games for Minnesota to end the 2014-15 season. A knee injury sidelined the legend for the final 21 contests.
At the age of 39, Garnett would return to the Wolves for one final season. Once again, knee troubles ended his season prematurely, as he missed Minnesota’s last 37 games. Appearing in 38 of their first 45, Garnett posted averages of 3.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. While he started each of those outings, it was in somewhat limited minutes (14.6 per game).
KG's first tenure in Minnesota
Of course, it was during his first tenure with the Wolves where Garnett became known as an all-time great. In 2003-04, he became the franchise’s first (and still only) player to be named as the league’s MVP. He also had two runner-up finishes.
For four straight seasons (2003-04 until 2006-07), KG led the league in rebounding. Other than 1998-99 (no game due to lockout-shortened season), Garnett earned a trip to the All-Star game every year other than his rookie one during his first tenure. He made both eight All-NBA and eight All-Defensive teams.
Now, with new ownership, it’s finally time for the Timberwolves fans to see what they have been pining for. That is to see Garnett’s #21 jersey retired and hung from the rafters.