Kevin Garnett Re-Signs With Minnesota Timberwolves, Team Signs No. 1 Pick Towns
Kevin Garnett was one of a handful of players who made the jump straight from high school to the NBA and more than succeeded expectations. Now 39-years-old, Garnett is a 15-time All-Star, and 4-time All-NBA First Team member. The surefire first ballot Hall of Famer has one MVP to his name (2004) and won his only championship title with the Boston Celtics in 2008.
Last season, “The Big Ticket” was traded from the Brooklyn Nets back to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the team that selected him fifth overall in the 1995 NBA Draft. Today, Garnett officially re-upped with the Wolves for two more seasons, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein.
ESPN sources say Kevin Garnett will be signing a two-year deal with Minnesota when leaguewide moratorium is lifted later this week
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 7, 2015
KG naturally must assess how he feels after coming season but sources say he plans to play in 20-min range in ’15-16 & go past 40th birthday
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 7, 2015
Stein also notes that the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft, Karl-Anthony Towns of Kentucky, has signed a three-year, $14.9 million deal. The team also signed No. 24 overall pick, Duke point guard Tyus Jones (whom they traded for on draft night) to a rookie contract.
Garnett has spent his entire 20-year NBA career with the Timberwolves, Celtics, and Nets. Over two full decades, Kevin has averaged 18.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, via Basketball Reference.
To this day, KG has earned more on-court dollars than any basketball player in history, totaling $315 million.
Here are some immediate reactions from Twitter.
Kevin Garnett will join Robert Parish and Kevin Willis as the only NBA players to play 21+ seasons. pic.twitter.com/EUdQTJXPPW — NBA TV (@NBATV) July 7, 2015
Man Kevin Garnett has been playing in the league forever, but the league is more entertaining with him. No one will ever replace him
— Behind The Arc (@NBATalk23_) July 7, 2015
Kevin Garnett made his NBA debut 12 days before Karl-Anthony Towns was born
— Doctor NBA (@DoctorNBA) July 7, 2015
Kevin Garnett needs to retire.
— everything is trash (@iAmTerrace) July 7, 2015
We’ve got to be consistent with the passion – Kevin Garnett
— Coach Mac (@BballCoachMac) July 7, 2015
Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett could all be playing their last season in the NBA.
— Ross Gasmer (@Ross_Gasmer12) July 2, 2015
For perspective on today’s NBA free-agent frenzy, Kevin Garnett’s landmark 6yr/$126M deal in 1998, adj. for inflation, would be 6yr/$183M.
— Steve Aschburner (@AschNBA) July 2, 2015
Players to average at least 24 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 3 APG, 1.5 BPG last 35 years: -Shaq -Tim Duncan -Kevin Garnett -Hakeem -DEMARCUS COUSINS
— ?BALLUPNBA? (@BallUpNBA) June 30, 2015
Andrew Wiggins, Karl Anthony-Towns, Tyus Jones, Kevin Garnett and Zach Lavine ???
— William Hampton (@mrgetflashy22) June 27, 2015
I feel like Dwyane Wade doesn’t really like Kevin Garnett… (Vine by @BallUpNBA) https://t.co/FO6tejDfoP
— BIGDEV (@DLfour2) June 27, 2015
As the Inquisitr previously reported, Garnett’s impact on the Minnesota club is vitally important to its very young core of future stars. Towns, Jones, Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins, and Slam Dunk champion Zach Lavine will all be looking to KG for guidance in what will more than likely be his final season or two in the Association.
[Photo by Stephen Dunn / Getty Images]
