Nets trade Kevin Garnett to Timberwolves for Thaddeus Young
The Brooklyn Nets have traded power forward Kevin Garnett to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Thaddeus Young, the Timberwolves announced on Thursday.
According to NBA.com's David Aldridge, Garnett agreed to waive his no-trade clause to return to Minnesota.
Minnesota hopes to sign a two-year extension with Garnett, according to Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press. Garnett was aware of Minnesota's plans, which likely influenced his decision to waive the no-trade clause with Brooklyn.
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"We are excited to have Kevin Garnett back in Minnesota and playing for the Timberwolves," said Timberwolves head coach Flip Saunders. "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."
The Nets are currently 21-31 and sit one game behind the Miami Heat for the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Timberwolves are 11-41, owning the second-worst record in the NBA.
Rare Photos of Kevin Garnett
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Garnett was originally selected by the Timberwolves out of high school with the No. 5 pick in the 1995 NBA draft and spent the first 12 seasons of his career in Minnesota. He blossomed into a star with the T-Wolves, making the All-Star team 10 times and averaging 20-plus points and 10-plus rebounds in nine seasons.
But Garnett eventually grew frustrated with Minnesota's inability to field a contender and sought to leave the team, resulting in a trade to the Boston Celtics before the 2007-08 season.
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Garnett found greater team success in Boston, as the Celtics won the NBA title in his first season and made the NBA Finals again in 2010. Looking to rebuild, the Celtics traded the veteran pair of Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Nets in June 2013.
Garnett, 38, is currently averaging 6.8 points and 6.8 rebounds in 20.3 minutes per game for the Nets. In 19-plus NBA seasons, Garnett has averaged 18.3 points and eight rebounds per game, which includes 20.5 points and 11.4 rebounds per game over 12 seasons with the Timberwolves.
Young, an eighth-year pro, was acquired last offseason from the Philadelphia 76ers as part of the three-team deal that saw Minnesota send disgruntled forward Kevin Love to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Anthony Bennett and Andrew Wiggins, the No. 1 picks in the 2013 and 2014 NBA drafts.
- Ben Estes