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Kevin Garnett to stay with Timberwolves, Agrees to Two Year Contract

This season will be the forward's 21st year in the NBA.

By Lindsey M. Young
Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

According to KSTP's Darren Wolfson, the Timberwolves will retain veteran Kevin Garnett for the 2015-2016 season. Wolfson posted the following on Twitter Tuesday morning:

The decision here is not a surprise to most, but it's nice to see something on paper. KG technically fell into free agency, but it seemed entirely unlikely that he would pursue any other options. On June 27, the Pioneer Press posted an article that said Garnett would "definitely re-sign with the Wolves," and Wolfson now reports that the deal is done.

We are still awaiting details to emerge, but the contract is apparently for two years with no options for either side on the second year--in other words, Garnett gets two guaranteed years and will be on the payroll for 2016-17. While that probably won't have a big effect on the Wolves cap situation, it isn't ideal.

Garnett played the first 12 seasons of his career in Minnesota after being selected in the 1995 NBA Draft. It was here that he solidified himself as an All-Star type player, and he grew frustrated with the lack of roster support at the time. The forward left for Boston following the 2006-2007 season, and the transition earned him an NBA Championship with the Celtics.

Although fans certainly experienced mixed feelings when Garnett left the Wolves, he received nothing but a warm welcome in February when he re-signed.

Garnett will most likely play limited minutes, but his contract is worth a lot more than court time. The veteran already served as a locker room leader and motivating force last season for Minnesota's young roster. Not only will Garnett be in the position to continue mentoring sophomores Zach LaVine and Andrew Wiggins, but he also will be working alongside the newest additions to the team, Tyus Jones and No. 1 pick Karl-Anthony Towns.

Ironically, Garnett and Jones met in Minneapolis once already, when they threw out the first pitch together for the Minnesota Twins' home opener in April.

"I want to buy the Timberwolves," Garnett said in an interview early last season. "Put a group together and perhaps someday try to buy the team. That's what I want."