NBA Trade Deadline: Kevin Garnett Traded To Minnesota — Plans To Finish His Career With The Timberwolves

Kevin Garnett is returning to the place where his career began, as he decided to waive his no-trade clause in favor of a trade to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Garnett was drafted by the Timberwolves in 1995, as they selected him fifth overall. While Garnett had his best individual years in Minnesota — winning the NBA’s MVP award during the 2003-2004 season, leading the Timberwolves to the best record in the western conference — he had his most team success after he was traded from Minnesota to Boston in 2007, where he won his first and only NBA championship.

Two summers ago, Garnett joined the Brooklyn Nets along with his former Celtics teammate Paul Pierce, and before the 2013-2014 season, many NBA experts figured the Nets would be one of the favorites to win the eastern conference. Unfortunately, age caught up with Garnett, and he looked like a shell of his former self.

It was rumored several weeks ago that the Nets were looking to buy out the remainder of Garnett’s contract, which expires at the end of this season. However, Garnett refused to accept a buyout, and told the Nets’ front office that he would only waive his no-trade clause in favor of a trade back to the team that drafted him, the Minnesota Timberwolves.

There were also rumors that if Garnett accepted a buyout from the Nets, that his former coach, Doc Rivers — who is now the head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers — would immediately offer Garnett a contract, giving Garnett one last opportunity at an NBA championship.

Garnett plans to retire after this season, and there have been reports that he’ll become one of the majority owners of the Timberwolves immediately after he hangs up the sneakers for good. So, a trade back to Minnesota makes sense for that reason, and it also gives the Minnesota fans a chance to say goodbye to the greatest player in Timberwolves history, and one of the top five power forwards of all-time.

In the deal, the Timberwolves dealt forward Thaddeus Young to Brooklyn to acquire Kevin Garnett.

As of right now, the Timberwolves are in rebuilding mode, as they have the worst record in the western conference [11-42] and have no shot of making the playoffs.

[Image via NBA]