It’s finally happened. A few minutes after we let you know why Kevin Garnett would agree to a trade sending him back to Minnesota, NBA.com scribe David Aldridge broke the news. Garnett has waived his no-trade clause and will be traded back to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Garnett was drafted by the Timberwolves with the No. 5 overall pick in the 1995 Draft, and he played his first 12 seasons there before being dealt to Boston. Now, he’s headed back:
Source: Kevin Garnett agrees to trade, will go home to Minnesota for Thaddeus Young.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) February 19, 2015
Marc Stein confirms.
Garnett has informed Wolves and Nets he is waiving his no-trade clause to clear way for KG-for-Thaddeus Young deal ESPN reported last night
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 19, 2015
Garnett’s agency also confirmed the deal:
Official: 15x @NBA All-Star Kevin Garnett is going back to where it all started. #TWolves #BigTicket #TeamASM pic.twitter.com/avQOUqFD7q
— You First Sports USA (@YFsportsUSA) February 19, 2015
The Nets will acquire 29 year-old Thaddeus Young in the deal, who the Timberwolves only picked up in a trade wth Philadelphia this past offseason.
Some Timberwolves fans might look at this as a lopsided haul in favor of Brooklyn. Young is averaging 14.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.8 steals in 33.4 minutes per game this season, his eighth in the NBA. He’s shooting 45.3 percent from the field and sports a PER of 14.9, the second lowest of his career. But he’s played better for the T-Wolves of late, and he’s still within his prime years.
Garnett is at the tail-end of a 20-year Hall-of-Fame career, and he’s only playing 20.3 minutes per game on those creaky knees, while averaging 6.8 points and 6.8 rebounds.
Since Garnett will be looking to acquire an ownership stake, and work hand-in-hand with GM/coach Flip Saunders, we still think this is a win for them despite the discrepancy between the ages of the players.
