Timberwolves bring back Kevin Garnett as ambassador, will retire No. 21
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MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Timberwolves have hired Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett as a team ambassador and will retire his No. 21 jersey at a future ceremony, the organization announced. Garnett said the opportunity to return to the franchise where he began his NBA career is “thrilling.”
Owners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez, who gained majority control of the club this summer, called the move a top priority. “Kevin Garnett is synonymous with the Minnesota Timberwolves,” they said in a joint statement. “Bringing Kevin home is about honoring our past while building something special going forward.”
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Garnett’s duties will span business initiatives, community outreach, fan engagement and content development. Basketball operations will continue to be overseen by president Tim Connelly, and Garnett’s exact title has yet to be finalized. The jersey retirement is expected within the next one to two years.
Garnett, 47, played 12 seasons in Minnesota from 1995 to 2007, earning 10 All-Star selections and the 2004 NBA MVP award. He returned for part of the 2015-16 season before retiring. Despite his strong connection to fans, Garnett stayed distant from the franchise for years after a post-retirement role collapsed following the death of former coach Flip Saunders, fueling a public rift with then-owner Glen Taylor.
The relationship thawed after Lore and Rodriguez assumed control, paving the way for Garnett’s return. The former forward remains the Timberwolves’ all-time leader in points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals.
Source: Hoops Wire
