Kevin Garnett Returning to Celtics for 2012-2013 NBA Season [Video]

Boston Celtics fans can finally breathe a sigh of relief as Kevin Garnett has announced he will return to play for the team in the 2012-2013 NBA Season.

As we reported earlier this month, Garnett, 36, was mulling over the possibility of retiring from the NBA after playing 17 seasons in the league.

“The decision came down to whether KG wanted to keep playing,” the Herald reports a source saying. “And once he decided that he did, it was going to be Boston.

“He wasn’t going to leave Doc [Rivers] and those guys and play anywhere else.”

According to an NBA source and a source close to Garnett, the sides are working out the details of a deal that will be for three years and $34 million. The NBA’s free-agent period begins at midnight ET Sunday and players can officially start signing contracts on July 11.

While Garnett, who has averaged 19.3 points, 10.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks a game over his career, has seen decreased production while with the Celtics, the 14-time NBA All-Star had one of his best seasons overall in 2012, averaging 15.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game during the regular saeason and 19.2 and 10.3 in the playoffs. His unique ability to guard almost anyone also made him a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year — an award he won in 2008 — candidate .

“Kevin was absolutely great this season, and he just wants to keep going,” said a source. “And when you look at how he was playing, there’s no reason for him to stop.”

With Kevin Garnett secured, ESPN reports that the Celtics have one other big name heading into free agency in shooting guard Ray Allen. While Allen has also expressed a desire to return to Boston, he is reportedly attracting great interest from several NBA teams including Miami Heat and Phoenix Suns.