A new era is dawning in Minnesota basketball. With Glen Taylor’s grip on the Timberwolves and Lynx coming to an end, Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez have cleared a major hurdle in their bid to take full ownership of the franchises. Their victory in arbitration signals a shift in leadership—one that could finally bring Kevin Garnett back into the fold and give Timberwolves fans the long-awaited jersey retirement they’ve been hoping for.
The Rift That Kept KG Away
Kevin Garnett isn’t just the best player in Timberwolves history—he is the Timberwolves. From his arrival in 1995 as an 18-year-old phenom to his MVP dominance in 2004, Garnett was the heart and soul of the franchise. Yet, despite his iconic status, his relationship with the organization has been nonexistent for years. The root of the tension? Glen Taylor.
Their fractured relationship stems from a broken promise. Garnett had planned to take on a leadership role with the Wolves after retiring, a vision shared by the late Flip Saunders. But after Saunders’ passing, the deal fell apart, leaving Garnett feeling betrayed. His public disdain for Taylor—famously calling him a “snake”—ensured that any hopes of reconciliation were off the table as long as Taylor remained in charge.
That grudge has kept Garnett away from Target Center, even as the Wolves have risen in the standings. More importantly, it has kept his No. 21 from hanging in the rafters, a glaring omission considering his impact on the franchise.
A New Ownership, A Fresh Start
With Lore and Rodriguez set to take over, the biggest obstacle to honoring Garnett is gone. The new owners have no history with KG, meaning there’s no reason for him to continue his exile. In fact, repairing this relationship could be one of their first major acts in reshaping the organization’s culture.
A Garnett jersey retirement isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about properly acknowledging the player who put Minnesota basketball on the map. With the Wolves emerging as a legitimate force in the Western Conference, there’s no better time to reconnect with the franchise’s most important figure.
When Will It Happen?
The timeline for Garnett’s jersey retirement now hinges on how quickly the ownership transition is finalized. While a ceremony this season isn’t out of the question, the 2025-26 season seems like a more realistic target. Regardless of when it happens, one thing is clear: the long-overdue tribute to KG is no longer a dream—it’s an inevitability.
For Timberwolves fans, this moment has been a long time coming. Kevin Garnett belongs in the rafters at Target Center, and now, at last, it’s only a matter of time before that becomes reality.
Original reporting by: Will Ragatz | SI