In what might be the most overdue jersey retirement in NBA history, Kevin Garnett is finally seeing his No. 21 raised to the rafters on February 28, when the Minnesota Timberwolves take on the Boston Celtics. KG will join Malik Sealy (No. 2) as the only players whose numbers have been retired by the Wolves. (Bill Russell’s No. 6 is universally retired.)
Who’s next? Anthony Edwards is certainly in line to have his number retired, but he’s only 25 years old, so that’s many years down the line. It really comes down to two players: Kevin Love or Karl-Anthony Towns.
Kevin Love - prolific, but the team wasn't very good
Love turns 38 years old on September 7 and is currently unsigned. Even if he does join a team for the upcoming season, the end of his career is very near.
Back in 2008, Love started his career with the Timberwolves. He spent his first six years with them, was named to three All-Star teams, made the All-NBA Second Team twice, and was the league’s Most Improved Player in 2010–11. During his Minnesota tenure, Love posted averages of 19.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. He famously had a 31-point, 31-rebound game on November 12, 2010, against the New York Knicks.
The issue is that the Wolves weren’t all that successful during his time with them. It will be interesting to see in the future whether the Timberwolves decide to retire No. 42.
Karl-Anthony Towns
Towns will certainly retire after Love. He will turn 31 years old in November and just played a huge role on the New York Knicks’ championship squad.
Selected first overall in the 2015 NBA Draft, Towns played his first nine seasons in Minnesota before being traded to New York. With the Timberwolves, the 7-footer made four All-Star teams, earned two All-NBA Third Team selections, and was the 2015–16 Rookie of the Year. In those first nine years, Towns averaged 22.9 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.3 blocks.
Along with his accomplishments, Towns is still beloved in Minnesota and did a lot of work in the community. It seems like a near certainty that the team will retire his No. 32.
Whether he’s the next player to have a jersey retirement ceremony will depend on whether the Wolves deem Love worthy enough to have his number retired. With Edwards still so young, it would be quite surprising if his career ended before either of these two.
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