The talks between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Brooklyn Nets sending Kevin Garnett to Minnesota in exchange for Thaddeus Young have reached a stalemate, but Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reports there’s a “growing belief” KG waives his rare no-trade clause and allows it to happen. On the periphery of this seemingly innocuous deal — neither team is a championship contender — is the assumption Garnett will one day make a play to become a part-owner of the T-Wolves.
The only thing holding back KG’s return to Minnesota is his no-trade clause, but Woj and ESPN’s Marc Stein says he’s leaning towards waiving the clause and allowing the trade to be completed.
Minnesota and Brooklyn are still awaiting Kevin Garnett's decision about waiving his no trade clause, league sources tell Yahoo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 19, 2015
There's growing belief Kevin Garnett will waive no-trade to return to Minnesota, but no final decision yet, league sources tell Yahoo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 19, 2015
Hearing cautious optimism emanating from Minneapolis that Kevin Garnett is leaning toward waiving no-trade clause and returning to Minnesota
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 19, 2015
Turner Sports and NBA.com writer, David Aldridge, confirmed this belief more recently:
Nets, per source, believe that Kevin Garnett will agree to waive no-trade clause and accept deal to MIN for Thad Young. Both teams ready.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) February 19, 2015
If you’re wondering why KG would uproot his family and move back to the franchise that kept him out of real Finals contention — save that lone 2003-04 season buttressed by Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell — until his trade to Boston in the summer of 2007, look no further than Garnett’s plan to buy a large stake in the fanchise, perhaps even a majority ownership.
Garnett said as much to Yahoo’s Marc J. Spears in November last year, mentioning the presence of his old coach in Minnesota, Flip Saunders, who coached KG’s 2003-04 Minney team that made it to the Western Conference Finals:
“I want to buy the Timberwolves. Put a group together and perhaps some day try to buy the team. That’s what I want,” Garnett said after a 107-99 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night.
[…]
“That is the one that has my interest. I have ties there. Flip’s there,” said Garnett, 38.
[…]
“There are so many things that I see that I can provide to younger players,” Garnett said. “I gravitate to the guys that really, really work hard. I’m able to show them things. Help their games. To see the progress is huge.
But owner Glen Taylor and Garnett are notoriously cold towards one another after Taylor claimed Garnett “tanked” his final season in Minnesota, and KG said, “I have nothing positive to say,” about his fomer franchise.
KG on Minn: "It's always special to come back to true fans … But as far as that franchise, I have nothing positive to say."
— Steve Bulpett (@SteveBHoop) March 29, 2012
We’re guessing those are the divergent issues KG is weighing right now before he makes his decision on the no-trade clause.
