What Year Did Kevin Garnett Retire
Kevin Garnett officially retired in 2016 after the 2015-16 NBA season with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He announced his retirement on September 23, 2016, at age 39, concluding a 21-year career that began in 1995 when he was drafted fifth overall by the Timberwolves. His final NBA game was on April 13, 2016, against the Denver Nuggets, where he recorded 10 points and 4 rebounds in 19 minutes of play. Garnett's last contract was a one-year, $10 million deal signed with the Timberwolves in July 2015, and he became a free agent after the season ended without signing a new contract, effectively ending his playing career. His retirement marked the end of the last active player from the 1995 NBA draft class, and he was the final remaining member of the elite group of players who had spent at least 20 seasons in the league. The announcement was made through the Timberwolves organization and confirmed by multiple outlets including ESPN and NBA.com, solidifying 2016 as the definitive year he left professional basketball.
Garnett's decision to retire was influenced by a combination of factors, including declining performance and a desire to step away on his own terms rather than fading out. In his final season, he averaged 6.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game while shooting 44.4% from the field and 30.8% from three-point range. He played 38 games, starting 22 of them, and logged just over 19 minutes per contest. His minutes had dropped significantly from his peak years, when he regularly played 35 to 40 minutes per game and was considered one of the most dominant power forwards in NBA history. The Timberwolves organization, under owner Glen Taylor, supported his decision and honored him with a retirement ceremony and a statue outside Target Center in Minneapolis. His jersey number, 21, was also retired by the franchise, cementing his legacy as the greatest player in Timberwolves history. The retirement also opened up a roster spot and financial flexibility for the team as they entered a rebuild phase, and it signaled the end of an era for the franchise that had drafted him straight out of high school.
Kevin Garnett Career Timeline and Achievements
Kevin Garnett was selected fifth overall in the 1995 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves, making him the first player in two decades to be drafted directly from high school. He spent his first 12 seasons with the Timberwolves from 1995 to 2007, where he established himself as one of the most versatile and intense players in the league. In 2004, he led the Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals and won the NBA Most Valuable Player award, becoming the first and only player in Timberwolves history to earn that honor. His peak statistical seasons included averages of 22 to 24 points, 12 to 15 rebounds, and 3 to 4 assists per game, while also leading the league in rebounds and blocks on multiple occasions. He was selected to 15 All-Star games, 9 All-NBA teams, and 12 All-Defensive teams, showcasing his rare combination of offensive skill and defensive intensity. His career totals include over 26,000 points, 14,000 rebounds, and 5,000 assists, placing him among the most complete big men in NBA history.
After leaving the Timberwolves in 2007, Garnett joined the Boston Celtics in a blockbuster trade that brought him to a team seeking a championship push. He won an NBA championship with the Celtics in 2008, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in