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Minnesota Timberwolves: 25 Best Players To Play For The Timberwolves

By Phil Watson

Mar 2, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; A general view of the Target Center during the second half of the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Washington Wizards. The Wizards won 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; A general view of the Target Center during the second half of the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Washington Wizards. The Wizards won 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 7, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett (21) blocks Los Angeles Clippers forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (12) during the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett (21) blocks Los Angeles Clippers forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (12) during the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

Kevin Garnett. 1. player. 86. <strong>How acquired:</strong> 5th overall pick from Farragut Career Academy (Chicago), 1995 NBA Draft; Trade, Brooklyn Nets, Feb. 19, 2015.. PF-SF. 1995-2007, 2015

Kevin Garnett was the first in 20 years to do it, a McDonald’s All-American from Chicago’s Farragut Career Academy who declared himself eligible for the 1995 NBA Draft straight out of high school. The Minnesota Timberwolves took the plunge on Garnett with the fifth overall pick.

He was an All-Rookie selection in 1995-96, but that was just the beginning.

MIN_01_GARNETT
MIN_01_GARNETT /

Garnett was the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2003-04, while earning 10 All-Star bids—winning MVP honors at the 2003 All-Star Game. He was named All-NBA eight times and was an eight-time All-Defensive pick, as well.

He finished second in the MVP voting in 1999-2000 and 2002-03 and was fifth in 2000-01, leading the NBA in rebounding four straight seasons (2003-04 through 2006-07).

He was third in the league in scoring in 2003-04; finished second in rebounding in 2002-03, third in 2001-02 and fourth in 1999-2000; and was fifth in minutes per game in 1999-2000.

But after leading the Timberwolves to the 2004 Western Conference Finals, the team missed the postseason three straight years before Garnett was traded in July 2007 to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, Theo Ratliff and two first-round picks in 2009.

That wasn’t the end of Garnett’s story in Minnesota; he was re-acquired in a February 2015 trade with the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Thaddeus Young.

Last season, Garnett started 38 games, but did not play after Jan. 23 because of a knee injury. He averaged 3.2 points and 3.9 rebounds in 14.6 minutes per game on .470/0-for-1/.667 shooting.

In parts of 14 seasons in Minnesota, Garnett has averaged 19.8 points, 11.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.4 steals in 37.3 minutes per game, shooting .491/.288/.779.

Garnett was a five-time All-Star with the Celtics, earning Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2007-08 while leading Boston to an NBA title.

He was an All-NBA selection in 2007-08 and was named All-Defensive four times with the Celtics, who also reached the NBA Finals in 2010.

In July 2013, Garnett was traded to Brooklyn and was an All-Star in 2013.

He is fifth in NBA history with 1,462 games, third with 50,418 minutes played, ninth with 14,662 rebounds, 47th with 5,445 assists, 16th with 1,859 steals, 17th with 2,037 blocked shots, 17th with 26,071 points and 43rd with an average of 10.0 rebounds per game.

Next: 50 Greatest NBA Players Of The 1970s

Garnett, now 40, is under contract through 2016-17 on a two-year, $16.5 million deal he signed in July 2015.

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