Kevin Garnett, the first player in two decades to jump directly from high school to the NBA who became one of the league’s most imposing frontcourt presences, will retire after 21 seasons.
The 40-year-old post man and the Minnesota Timberwolves came to an agreement Friday and a retirement announcement from Garnett is expected shortly, an Associated Press source confirmed.
Garnett will be waived by the Wolves and collect his entire $8 million salary for next season. That is the same approach the San Antonio Spurs took with Tim Duncan. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because Garnett has not announced his decision.
The South Carolina native spent more than 13 seasons with the Timberwolves and was named Most Valuable Player in 2004, when he led the club to a Western Conference finals appearance that remains their best postseason showing ever. He also won a championship and appeared in two NBA Finals with the Boston Celtics.
Garnett, who transferred to Chicago’s Farragut Career Academy for his senior year, came straight to the NBA from high school in 1995, paving the way for others like Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady and LeBron James to do the same.
“Kevin Garnett will go down as one of the greatest competitors in the history of our sport,” National Basketball Players Association executive director Michele Roberts said in a statement on Saturday. “His hard work and dedication to the game night in and night out made him one of the most complete players in the NBA. KG brought an unparalleled intensity to the court, that led him to an MVP award, Defensive Player of the Year award, and later a championship in Boston.
“He has left an indelible mark on the game that has and will continue to inspire a generation to follow in his footsteps.”
He retires at the highest earning player in NBA history with more than $330m earned in salary.
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