The Minnesota Timberwolves pulled off one of the most shocking upsets of the NBA season on Tuesday night when they defeated the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. Despite the huge win the Timberwolves have not had a very good season and will have to figure some things out this offseason.
Many people were high on Minnesota coming into the season because they have a good mix of young talent and veteran leaders. Unfortunately that mix didn't work out for the Timberwolves, but they would still like to have that same type of roster configuration moving forward. A big piece of that is Kevin Garnett who will turn 40 in May.
Garnett has been considering retirement after every season for about three or four years now. He will likely do the same after this season, but he is under contract at $8 million, so if he wants to play one more year the Timberwolves would gladly have him back as a mentor to young star Karl-Anthony Towns. People close to Garnett have been unsure about what he might do next season, but owner Glen Taylor thinks he will play that final year of his deal.
Taylor says that while he is unsure of exactly what KG wants to do next season, every indication he has been given is that Garnett will play. What could have an impact on Garnett's decision for next year is the fact that he has not been healthy for the vast majority of this season. The 21-year veteran has appeared in just 38 games all season and hasn't played since the end of January due to knee soreness.
The injury thing can go one of two ways. One the one hand Garnett may not want to end his career having been injured, considering he is likely done for the season. But on the other hand, Garnett may see the injury as a sign to hang it up. It has previously been discussed that if Garnett doesn't feel healthy enough to play next season he will look to join the Wolves' front office, so he has other options besides playing.
The good news for the Timberwolves is that no matter what Garnett decides he will likely be around the team in some capacity. They would obviously prefer he be on the bench and in the locker room with the team every day to mentor the young players, but if he doesn't feel like that's the best decision for him then he will move on to another venture.
