Kevin Garnett's long-standing beef with the Minnesota Timberwolves has reportedly ended. Garnett will rejoin the franchise in a new role "involving business, community efforts and content development," per ESPN's Shams Charania.
While it's unclear what that role — which will also involve the Minnesota Lynx — will entail, Garnett's decision to reunite with the franchise will finally lead to his No. 21 being retired by the team.
Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett is reuniting with the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Lynx in a new, all-encompassing role involving business, community efforts and content development, sources told ESPN. His long-awaited No. 21 Wolves jersey retirement will also happen inMinnesota.pic.twitter.com/DedJhDezd3
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)December 18, 2025
Garnett's jersey retirement is a long time coming. The former No. 5 overall pick in the 1995 NBA Draft quickly made a name for himself in Minnesota, and eventually emerged as arguably the greatest player in the history of the franchise.
In 14 seasons with the Timberwolves, Garnett averaged 19.8 points and 11 rebounds per game. He made 10 All-Star teams, was named to the All-NBA First Team three times, and won the 2003-04 MVP award with the franchise.
But things fell apart during the end of Garnett's tenure with the team. Despite Garnett playing some of his best basketball, the team's record plummeted, eventually leading to a trade. Ahead of the 2007-08 season, Garnett was shipped to the Boston Celtics. He won a title with the Celtics that same season.
As Garnett's playing career was winding down, something happened between Garnett and former Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor to create a rift between the star and the franchise. It may have had something to do with Garnett wanting to move into an ownership role once his playing career was over. Former Timberwolves coach and executive Flip Saunders reportedly had plans to bring Garnett back into the fold following his playing career, but Saunders' death in 2015 ended all hopes of that.
While Garnett didn't get into specifics on what happened,he made it clear he blamed Taylor, telling Shams Charania, "I won't forgive Glen" in 2020.
"Glen knows where I'm at, I'm not entertaining it. First of all, it's not genuine. Two, he's getting pressure from a lot of fans and, I guess, the community there. Glen and I had an understanding before Flip died, and when Flip died, that understanding went with Flip. For that, I won't forgive Glen. I won't forgive him for that. I thought he was a straight-up person, straight-up business man, and when Flip died, everything went with him."
In that quote, Garnett revealed he would not entertain his jersey being retired by the franchise due to the feud. The situation became slightly more awkward two years later, asGarnett allowed the Celtics to retire his No. 5jersey.
But withTaylor agreeing to sell the teamin April, the door was open for Garnett to reunite with the franchise.Garnett reportedly built a relationshipwith new team owners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez, per Charania, paving the way for Garnett's return.
The move couldn't come at a better time. After a few truly miserable years, the Timberwolves have emerged as a premier contender. The team has appeared in the past two Western Conference finals and is once again out to a strong start this season.
Bringing back Garnett now, when the team is capable of contending for a championship, should only further energize a fan base eager to finally win it all. And if Garnett is there in person as the Timberwolves finally get over that hump, it would create a tremendous full-circle moment for a player who helped make the franchise what it is today.
