NBA Rumors: Kevin Garnett May Join Timberwolves if Sold to Marc Lore, Álex Rodríguez

Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVJanuary 29, 2024

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The Minnesota Timberwolves’ eventual handover from Glen Taylor to the ownership group led by Marc Lore and Álex Rodríguez could thaw the franchise’s frosty relationship with Kevin Garnett, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.

“Assuming the transaction is finalized, there is a chance Garnett will take a role with the organization, sources told ESPN,” Windhorst reported Monday. “He has been in a bitter dispute with Taylor and distant from the franchise in recent years.”

In 2021, Taylor agreed to a deal with Lore and Rodríguez that allowed them to steadily increase their stake in the Timberwolves over a period of multiple years. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported in December the pair were expected to trigger the option allowing them to obtain the remaining 40 percent stake in the Wolves and WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx they’re entitled to.

Ushering Taylor out the door could help the Timberwolves rebuild some goodwill with their greatest ever player.

Garnett discussed his issues with Taylor in a 2020 interview with The Athletic’s Shams Charania, with the former seemingly alluding to a handshake deal the latter reneged on.

“Glen and I had an understanding before [head coach Flip Saunders] died, and when Flip died, that understanding went with Flip,” Garnett said. “For that, I won’t forgive Glen. I won’t forgive him for that. I thought he was a straight up person, straight up business man, and when Flip died, everything went with him.”

Wojnarowski noted Taylor will retain a 20 percent stake in the Wolves, so he won’t be removed from the picture entirely. His status as a minority shareholder might nevertheless be enough for Lore and Rodríguez to pursue a rapprochement with Garnett.