NBA Rumors: Kevin Garnett To Retire? In Talks With Minnesota Timberwolves

There have been NBA rumors for months that superstar Kevin Garnett was planning to retire as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Based on the latest reports from league sources, he could be closer to that retirement. However, could he also possibly head to another team for a chance at another championship?

On Wednesday night, CBS Sports reported via Marc Stein that KG and the Wolves are in advanced talks for a buyout of the final season of his contract. That buyout would come at a price of $8 million, but if it happens, it would seem that Garnett may be done with playing professional basketball. At 40-years-old, he has already captured an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics and is now bringing his career to an end for the team he started with.

An interesting aspect of this latest report is the earlier comments from Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor. Back in April, Dan Devine of Yahoo! Sports reported that Taylor was of the belief that KG would play again in the 2016 season. The latest reports would seem to indicate otherwise and based on the age of the veteran star it would make sense he’s ready to retire.

The Star Tribune also reported comments made by Tom Thibodeau, the Timberwolves president of basketball operations.

“Glen and Kevin and his representatives are in discussions. We’ll keep that private for now, and we’ll see how it unfolds. But, obviously, what Kevin has meant to our league, the organization, he’s earned the right to have those discussions with Glen.”

If Garnett ends up returning to the team, it would be surprising. It would make for his 22nd season in the league. The Timberwolves appear to be a young and improved team behind players including Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns. Garnett has spent very little time actually playing over the course of his last two seasons with the team.

His 2015-16 season averages of 3.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 0.3 blocks per game reflect that. For his career, he’s averaged a double-double with 17.8 points and 10 rebounds per game, in addition to over one block per contest.

Garnett, a lanky 6-foot-11 power forward, was drafted straight out of high school in 1995. After getting through the early learning curve of the NBA grind, he became one of the league’s top stars and was a key force in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ playoff push for many seasons. He was awarded the NBA MVP award in 2004.

Eventually, he became unhappy with the Timberwolves over failing to get over the hump and reach the finals or win a championship. Minnesota’s loss became Boston’s gain in the 2007 season. Garnett joined then-current Celtics star Paul Pierce and other recent acquisition Ray Allen to form one of the league’s “Big Three” combos of stars.

The trio went on to capture an NBA Championship in 2008 defeating Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals. Garnett remained with Boston through 2013, then made a two-season stop in New Jersey, before arriving back with his former team for the past two seasons.

KG’s retirement would follow in the footsteps of two other notable recent superstars who called it quits. Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant both announced they were done with the game and not returning next season. In fact, it became a farewell tour for the Lakers’ Bryant as he was given ovations, video packages, gifts and more at each road arena he played at this past season. Duncan did not have such a send-off, but just like Garnett, that may not be his style.

Of those three players, KG won the least titles of them, so is it possible he could get bought out in Minnesota and play elsewhere? Fans of teams such as Cleveland, Oklahoma City, Miami and the Spurs might be hoping he decides to give it one more season. They may need the help to keep up with the Golden State Warriors and their addition of Kevin Durant to an already star-studded lineup.

However, all of the latest rumors and reports seems to point to Kevin Garnett being ready to hang up his basketball high-tops. It may mean a transition to another non-playing role, though. Other NBA rumors suggest that he wants to be the next former NBA star to have ownership of a team. How ironic is it that it’s the team that is about to buy out his final season for $8 million?

[Featured Image by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images]