Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves
Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Timberwolves have officially changed hands. After Glen Taylor tried to milk more money out of his appreciating asset through arbitration, the NBA ultimately voted to approve Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore as owners of the franchise.
Among the first orders of business was to bring back franchise legend Kevin Garnett. His number 21 has deserved a place in the rafters for some time, and the NBA champion is clearly excited about the opportunity.
LFGGGGGGGGGGGGG pic.twitter.com/MnbSbXsKfx
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) December 24, 2025
It wasn’t as though this reality was a new development. Garnett should have been celebrated a long time ago. His relationship with Taylor is directly responsible for why things have taken so long.
Glen Taylor sets MN Timberwolves record straight
While it has not been a secret that former Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor had a diminished relationship with Kevin Garnett, he’s still trying to run a PR campaign. Longtime local insider Darren “Doogie” Wolfson has often carried water for Taylor, but this time it was Pioneer Press columnist Charlie Walters who talked with Taylor recently.
Glen Taylor, when he owned the Timberwolves, on the recent front office return to the Wolves of Kevin Garnett, who finally will have his No. 21 jersey retired by the team: “For five different years I checked with him to see if he would be willing to do it, and he chose not to do it.”
Pioneer Press
There has never been a point in which the Timberwolves franchise was not interested in involving Kevin Garnett. That means that Taylor’s comments shouldn’t come as a shock. The greater surprise is that Taylor didn’t have the self-awareness to understand that Garnett’s disinterest was solely rooted in his presence.
The fifth overall pick in 1995, straight out of high school, Garnett played in 970 games for the Minnesota Timberwolves. He won an MVP award following the 2004 season, and he averaged 19.8 points per game with the franchise.
Garnett is a 15-time All-Star, won a ring with the Celtics in 2008, and is in the Hall of Fame. That sort of player is a no-brainer for both a jersey retirement, but also a consulting role within a franchise. Lore and Rodriguez have fostered their relationship with the Big Ticket for years now, and it quickly allowed them to mend fences.
Glen Taylor still has his courtside seats at Target Center, but there should be no expectation that Garnett ever acknowledges the former owner whenever he’s in the building.
Mentioned in this article: Glen Taylor Kevin Garnett More About: Minnesota Timberwolves
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