Long road back
Kevin Garnett came to the Timberwolves in 1995, directly from high school in 1995. He left a dozen years later after a trade to Boston, where he won an NBA title, followed by another trade to Brooklyn in 2013. On Thursday he returned to the Wolves in a deal for Thaddeus Young. A look at the future Hall of Famer's NBA career:
June 28, 1995: Selected by the Wolves in the first round (fifth player overall) of the NBA draft. Is the first player in 20 years to go directly from high school to the NBA.
Jan. 9, 1996: Makes the first start of his career. Has nine points and eight rebounds in the Timberwolves' 106-104 loss to the L.A. Lakers in Los Angeles.
May 16, 1996: Named to the NBA's All-Rookie second team after averaging 10.4 points and 6.3 rebounds.
April 10, 1997: Scores 19 points in the Timberwolves' 108-96 victory over the Clippers in Los Angeles. The victory clinches the first playoff berth in franchise history.
Aug. 11, 1997: Turns down a six-year contract worth an estimated $103.5 million. Eric Fleisher, Garnett's agent, says Garnett will not play for the Timberwolves after the 1997-98 season.
Oct. 1, 1997: Signs a six-year contract worth an estimated $125 million. The contract is a record deal for a professional athlete in any team sport. The agreement is reached six hours before an NBA deadline would have ceased negotiations until the following July.
