While Kevin Garnett’s short but impactful run with the Boston Celtics earned him a retired jersey at the TD Garden, that ultimate honor has remained elusive in the place he called home for 14 seasons: Minnesota. Despite his glorious spell, the ‘Big Ticket’ has famously remained at odds with the Timberwolves franchise due to a decade-old rift with the former owner, Glen Taylor. Now, with the $1.5 billion takeover by A-Rod and Marc Lore complete, the franchise finally has the opportunity to end the standoff.

And the good news for Wolves fans eager to celebrate their icon is imminent. According to Forbes’ Evan Sidery, “The Timberwolves are working towards having Kevin Garnett’s No. 21 jersey officially retired this season. New ownership wants to properly honor a franchise icon. With Minnesota bringing back their legendary uniforms, Garnett could finally see his number raised to the rafters.” And what couldn’t happen 10 years ago, well, it just might be on the horizon now.

Despite a glorious spell with the Wolves, Kevin Garnett remained at odds with the franchise

The ‘Big Ticket’ played 14 of his 21 seasons with the Timberwolves, and 12 of those came in his first stint. During that time, in eight seasons, they qualified for the playoffs, including the 2004 season, which KG led the Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals, their deepest playoff run in history. It also earned him his sole MVP trophy. His beef is not with the franchise or the fans, but with the previous owner.

Reports indicated that Kevin Garnett had an informal agreement with then-owner Glen Taylor and the late Flip Saunders, who served as both GM and head coach. The plan was straightforward. After his second stint and retirement with the Wolves, KG would assume a front-office role with the franchise. However, following Saunders’ untimely passing in October 2015 due to Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the agreement did not materialize. Naturally, Garnett viewed it as a sign of disrespect.

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Garnett didn’t take this insult lightly. He publicly called out Taylor, saying, “I won’t forgive Glen for that,” and even went as far as calling him a “snake.” His frustration was so deep that he refused to have his No. 21 jersey retired by the franchise. The 15x All-Star already had his jersey retired by the Boston Celtics. But when it came to the Wolves, KG declined and remained firm on his stance.

“Glen knows where I’m at, I’m not entertaining it. First of all, it’s not genuine.” He pretty much made it clear that until and unless Glen Taylor is the majority owner, the jersey won’t be hanging in the rafters. Since Taylor is out now, the fans want to celebrate Kevin Garnett, and the new franchise owners are all-in on this idea.

A-Rod and Marc Lore seal the end of the Glen Taylor era

It took four years, but the unanimous approval of the $1.5 billion takeover by Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore was more than a transfer of wealth; it was the essential, institutional pivot that unlocked a decade of frozen history. For the franchise and its new leadership, resolving the Kevin Garnett standoff is the first, most crucial act in establishing their brand and new operational integrity.

The departure of Glen Taylor removed the single, immovable barrier—Garnett’s personal grievance—allowing the franchise to bridge the emotional distance. As Shams Charania reported, and Evan Sidery’s recent tweet confirms, the retirement of the iconic No. 21 jersey is an active priority for the new owners. This isn’t just sentiment; it is a strategic maneuver to re-engage the fanbase by celebrating the organization’s peak cultural moment.

This effort is visibly tied to a broader corporate strategy: the Timberwolves are bringing back the iconic Black Trees Classic Edition uniforms worn by Garnett from 1998 to 2008. By re-embracing this beloved visual identity, the new owners are directly connecting their fresh era of investment and ambition to the legendary success of the ‘Big Ticket.’ This move serves to unite the fanbase, signal a respect for the team’s history, and establish a foundation of good faith as the franchise embarks on its path to a new, financially sustainable arena model and an aggressive approach to the luxury tax.