Minnesota Timberwolves veteran Kevin Garnett apparently still has some gas left in his tank. The Star Tribune's Jerry Zgoda reported Garnett, whom the Brooklyn Nets traded to Minnesota on Thursday, will likely re-sign with the Timberwolves after the season.
Garnett returned to where it all began for him after a late trade Thursday afternoon. The 38-year-old spent the first 12 years of his career in Minnesota, and after agreeing to waive his no-trade clause, is poised to end it there. That ending, though, is unlikely to come after this season.
"(Garnett's) contract with a $12 million salary expires this summer, but Garnett isn't coming back merely to play out the season's remaining 29 games," Zgoda wrote Friday. "He is expected to sign an extension this summer to play probably for another two seasons, according to a person with knowledge of the team's negotiations with him."
Reunited with Timberwolves coach and president Flip Saunders, Garnett will be tasked with mentoring Saunders's young team and providing veteran leadership in the locker room.
"We are excited to have Kevin Garnett back in Minnesota and playing for the Timberwolves," Saunders said Thursday in a statement on the team website. "When people think of the Timberwolves they think of KG. He had some great years for us and our organization and fans really respect what he's done here in Minnesota and throughout his NBA career. KG will bring his usual strong work ethic and leadership and be a positive influence for our young team."
Garnett is averaging 6.8 points and 6.8 rebounds in just over 20 minutes per game this season for the Brooklyn Nets, who received forward Thaddeus Young from Minnesota in the trade.
