Kevin Garnett is officially coming home.
The Hall of Famer is reuniting with the Minnesota Timberwolves and the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx in a new, wide-ranging off-court role that will see him involved in business initiatives, community outreach, and content development. It’s a major step forward for a franchise icon who, for years, had remained at arm’s length from the organization he helped define.
Garnett, 49, spent 14 of his 21 NBA seasons in Minnesota, including his first 12 and final two years. Now, after nearly a decade of distance following a public falling out with former team owner Glen Taylor, Garnett and the Timberwolves have finally found a path back to each other. The reunion comes under the leadership of new owners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez, who’ve played key roles in bridging the gap and facilitating Garnett’s return.
In addition to his new role, Garnett’s iconic No. 21 jersey will finally be raised to the rafters at Target Center-a long-overdue honor for the player who put Minnesota basketball on the map.
Garnett’s impact on the Timberwolves isn’t just historical-it’s foundational. He was the franchise’s first true superstar, a 15-time All-Star and former league MVP who brought intensity, passion, and legitimacy to a young organization. His presence on the court was electrifying, but his influence off the court was just as powerful, helping shape the culture of a team and a city that had never seen anything like him.
Since retiring in 2016, Garnett had been vocal about his strained relationship with Taylor, which prevented any formal celebration of his legacy in Minnesota. He refused to have his jersey retired under the previous ownership, citing broken promises and a lack of respect.
But with Lore and Rodriguez now steering the franchise, the tone has shifted. There’s been a clear effort to mend fences, and Garnett’s return signals a new chapter-not just for him, but for the Timberwolves as an organization.
This isn’t just a ceremonial reunion. Garnett’s new role is described as “all-encompassing,” meaning he’ll have his hands in several areas, from business strategy to community engagement to content creation. It’s a modern, multi-dimensional position that reflects not only Garnett’s interests but also the evolving nature of player-team relationships in today’s NBA.
For the Lynx, who’ve long been one of the WNBA’s model franchises, Garnett’s involvement adds another layer of visibility and investment. His presence will resonate across both leagues and could open doors for more integrated efforts between the Timberwolves and Lynx under the shared ownership group.
The jersey retirement, while symbolic, carries real emotional weight. For years, fans have waited to see No. 21 in the rafters, and for Garnett to get the recognition he so clearly earned. That moment is finally coming, and it will mark the closing of one chapter and the beginning of another.
Garnett’s return isn’t just about honoring the past-it’s about building the future. And with the Timberwolves trending upward on the court and now reconnecting with one of their greatest legends off it, the timing couldn’t be better.