You probably remember the scream. "Anything is possible!"
It’s the defining image of Kevin Garnett’s career, but honestly, that happened in Boston. For people in the Twin Cities, the real story is much noisier, sweatier, and a lot more complicated than a post-game outburst. It’s a story about a kid who skipped college to save a franchise and ended up becoming the soul of a city that hadn't ever really known what a winner looked like.
Kevin Garnett and the Minnesota Timberwolves are basically inseparable. You can't talk about one without the other, even though they spent years acting like exes who wouldn't even share the same sidewalk.
In late 2025, things finally shifted. After a decade of a cold war that felt like it would never end, the "Big Ticket" is officially back home. He’s taking on a role as a team ambassador and, most importantly, the Wolves are finally going to hang that number 21 in the rafters. It’s about time.
The High School Kid Who Changed Everything
When the Timberwolves took Garnett with the fifth pick in 1995, the league was skeptical. No one had gone straight from high school to the pros in 20 years.
Minnesota was a basketball graveyard back then. They had never won more than 29 games in a single season. The team was young, the arena was often cold, and the fans were mostly just happy to have an NBA team after the Lakers left decades prior.
KG changed that vibe instantly. He wasn’t just good; he was terrifying. He was 6'11" but moved like a guard, and he talked more trash than a New York cabbie. He didn't just play; he worked. He’d slap the floor, bark at the stanchion, and headbutt the padded goal post until he had a knot on his forehead.
By his second year, he had them in the playoffs. It was the first time in franchise history. They lost, sure, but the message was sent: things were different now.
That 2004 MVP Run Was Absolute Fever Dream
If you weren't watching the NBA in 2004, it’s hard to describe how dominant Garnett was. Most people look at the stats—24.2 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 5 assists per game—and think "wow, that's a solid season."
No. It was more than solid. It was historic.
He led the league in total points, rebounds, and field goals. He was the Defensive Player of the Year in everything but the official trophy name (he actually won that later in Boston). The Wolves won 58 games and grabbed the top seed in the West.
Why the 2004 Playoffs Still Sting
The 2004 Western Conference Finals against the Lakers is the "what if" that haunts Minnesota sports fans. Sam Cassell—the team’s crucial point guard—hurt his hip doing his "big balls" dance. It sounds ridiculous, but it literally changed the course of NBA history.
Garnett was playing out of his mind. In Game 7 of the semifinals against Sacramento, he put up 32 points, 21 rebounds, and 5 blocks. On his birthday. It was the peak of his powers. But without a healthy Cassell against Shaq and Kobe, the Wolves fell in six.
That was the closest they ever got. After that, the front office made a series of questionable moves, the team got older, and the window slammed shut faster than anyone expected.
The Trade That Broke the Fanbase
By 2007, the relationship was strained. Not because Garnett wanted out—he actually fought the trade for a long time—but because the team was going nowhere. Kevin McHale, the GM at the time, eventually sent him to Boston for a package that included Al Jefferson and a bunch of pieces that didn't really pan out.
It was the largest trade for a single player in NBA history at that point (seven players for one).
Watching KG win a title with the Celtics was bittersweet for Minnesota. We were happy for him, obviously. He deserved it. But there was this nagging feeling that it should have happened in the Target Center. It felt like watching your best friend marry someone else because you couldn't afford a nice enough house.
The Return and the "Snake" Comments
In 2015, Flip Saunders brought the legend home. It was a movie moment. Garnett waived his no-trade clause with Brooklyn to come back and mentor a young Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins.
The plan was for Garnett to eventually transition into ownership. He and Flip had a handshake deal with owner Glen Taylor. Then, tragedy struck. Flip Saunders passed away from Hodgkin’s lymphoma later that year.
According to Garnett, Taylor went back on the deal after Flip died. KG didn't take it well. He called Taylor a "snake" in the press. He refused to let the team retire his jersey as long as Taylor was in charge. For years, there was this awkward hole in the franchise's history. No number 21 in the rafters. No KG at the games.
The New Era: Lore, A-Rod, and Reconciliation
Everything changed when Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez started the process of buying the team. They made it a personal mission to get Garnett back into the fold.
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It took a while. There were legal battles over the sale of the team and more drama with Taylor, but in late 2025, the dust finally settled. Lore and A-Rod took full control, and the first thing they did was call the Big Ticket.
As of January 2026, the reunion is official. Garnett is back as a "Team Ambassador," which basically means he's going to be around the facility, helping with the business side, and likely scaring the hell out of every rookie that walks through the door.
What You Need to Know About the Upcoming Jersey Retirement
There isn't a hard date yet, but the organization has confirmed it's happening during the 2026 season. Here’s what to expect:
- The Crowd: Expect every former teammate from the 2004 run to be there. Sam Cassell, Latrell Sprewell, even Wally Szczerbiak (despite their famously rocky relationship).
- The Vibe: It’s going to be loud. Target Center hasn't had a moment like this since the 2004 playoffs.
- The Legacy: This isn't just about stats. It’s about acknowledging that for 12 years, Garnett was Minnesota sports.
How KG’s Legacy Influences Today’s Wolves
You can see Garnett’s DNA in the current roster. When Anthony Edwards talks about "killing" his opponents or when the team prides itself on a defense-first identity, that’s the Garnett blueprint.
He taught the city that you don't have to be a "big market" to have a big-time superstar. He stayed when he could have left earlier. He played through injuries that would have sidelined most guys. He was a professional in a way that set the bar for every player who has worn the jersey since.
Honestly, the Timberwolves spent years trying to find "the next KG." They tried it with Kevin Love. They tried it with KAT. But they finally realized you don't replace a guy like that. You just honor him and hope some of that intensity rubs off on the next generation.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
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If you're looking to engage with this new era of the KG/Wolves partnership, here's what you should actually do:
- Check Your Gear: Authentic 1990s Champion or Reebok KG jerseys are skyrocketing in value right now. If you have an original "trees" jersey from the late 90s, keep it in good condition.
- Plan Your Visit: If you’re a fan from out of state, wait for the official jersey retirement date announcement before booking flights to Minneapolis. These tickets will sell out in minutes, so sign up for the Timberwolves' "Inner Circle" email list now.
- Watch the Tape: Go back and watch Game 7 against the Kings from 2004. It’s arguably the greatest individual performance in Minnesota sports history and gives you a real sense of why the city is so obsessed with him.
- Support the Foundation: Garnett has always been active in the Twin Cities. Look into the Kevin Garnett Family Foundation if you want to see the work he's still doing in the community.
The feud is over. The "Big Ticket" is back. Minnesota basketball finally feels whole again.