Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Kevin Garnett

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Kevin Garnett made an impact.

Kevin Garnett, nicknamed "the Big Ticket", is a retired American professional basketball player who spent 21 seasons in the NBA. Considered one of the greatest power forwards ever, Garnett was renowned for his intensity, versatility, and defensive prowess. He is one of a select few NBA players to have won both the NBA Most Valuable Player Award and the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award, solidifying his legacy as a dominant and impactful player.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1995: Drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves

In 1995, Kevin Garnett was drafted with the fifth overall pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves, becoming the first player to be drafted directly out of high school since 1975.

1995: McDonald's All-American and NBA Draft

In 1995, Kevin Garnett was named a McDonald's All-American at Farragut Career Academy and also received a national player of the year award. He entered the 1995 NBA draft and was selected as the fifth overall pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves, making him the first player drafted directly out of high school in 20 years.

1995: McDonald's All-American Game and NBA Draft Eligibility

In 1995, Kevin Garnett was named the Most Outstanding Player at the McDonald's All-American Game after registering 18 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocked shots, and then declared himself eligible for the 1995 NBA draft.

1995: NBA Tryouts

In 1995, before entering the NBA draft, Kevin Garnett participated in tryouts and workouts, including one at the University of Illinois-Chicago with representatives from 13 teams with lottery picks, displaying his skills and potential to NBA personnel.

1996: Trade for Stephon Marbury

Before the 1996–97 season, the Timberwolves traded for point guard Stephon Marbury of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

August 1997: Contract Negotiations

In August 1997, Kevin Garnett and his agent turned down the Timberwolves' offer of a contract worth $102 million over six years, seeking a larger offer.

October 1, 1997: Record-Breaking Contract Extension

On October 1, 1997, one hour before the deadline, Kevin Garnett and the Timberwolves agreed on a six-year contract extension worth an unparalleled $126 million.

1997: First Playoff Appearance

In 1997, the Timberwolves, with a 40–42 record, made their first playoff appearance in franchise history. Kevin Garnett and Tom Gugliotta made their first All-Star appearances, and Stephon Marbury established himself as a valuable young lead guard. The Timberwolves were swept by the Houston Rockets in the first round of the 1997 NBA Playoffs.

1998: First Winning Record and Playoff Loss

In 1998, Kevin Garnett averaged 18.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.7 steals per game. The Timberwolves finished with their first winning record in franchise history (45–37), but lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Seattle SuperSonics.

1999: All-NBA Third Team

In 1999, Kevin Garnett averaged 20.8 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game and was named to the All-NBA Third Team.

2000: All-NBA First Team Appearance

In the 1999-2000 NBA season, Kevin Garnett made the first of his four All-NBA First Team appearances and came in second place in the MVP voting. The Wolves posted a franchise-best 50–32 record, but succumbed in the first round to the Portland Trail Blazers 3–1.

2001: All-NBA Second Team Nomination

In the 2001–02 season, Kevin Garnett earned another All-NBA Second Team nomination.

2003: All-Star MVP Award

In 2003, Kevin Garnett won the All-Star MVP award during his NBA career.

2003: Season Success

In 2003, the Timberwolves acquired Latrell Sprewell and Sam Cassell, improving the team's performance. Garnett averaged 24.2 points, 13.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.2 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game. The team achieved a franchise-record 58 wins, defeating the Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings in the playoffs before losing to the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.

2004: NBA MVP Award

In 2004, Kevin Garnett led the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals and won the NBA MVP Award.

January 4, 2005: Career High Scoring Game

On January 4, 2005, Kevin Garnett scored a career-high 47 points along with 17 rebounds in a 115–122 loss to the Phoenix Suns.

2006: Ricky Davis-Wally Szczerbiak Trade

In 2006, Minnesota traded a first-round pick to Boston in the Ricky Davis–Wally Szczerbiak trade, which was later involved in the trade for Kevin Garnett to the Celtics in 2007.

July 31, 2007: Trade to the Boston Celtics

On July 31, 2007, Kevin Garnett was traded to the Boston Celtics for Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Sebastian Telfair, Gerald Green, Theo Ratliff, cash considerations, and two first-round draft picks. He signed a three-year, $60 million contract extension.

2007: Celtics Resurgence

In 2007, Experts speculated the Celtics would have a resurgence due to the combination of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett, nicknamed "The Big Three". Garnett wore jersey number 5 due to Bill Sharman having his number retired already.

2007: Trade Rumors

In 2007, Glen Taylor considered trade offers for Kevin Garnett, with the Lakers, Celtics, and Suns being his preferred destinations. Garnett even reached out to Kobe Bryant to join the Lakers, but Bryant didn't respond.

2007: NBA Defensive Player of the Year

In 2007, Kevin Garnett was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year while playing for the Boston Celtics during the 2007–08 season.

2007: Trade to the Celtics

In 2007, Kevin Garnett was traded to the Boston Celtics.

June 18, 2008: Late Show Appearance

On June 18, 2008, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman shortly after winning the NBA Championship.

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2008: NBA Finals Win

In 2008, Kevin Garnett helped guide the Boston Celtics to the NBA Finals, where they beat the Los Angeles Lakers.

February 15, 2009: All-Star Game Start

On February 15, 2009, Kevin Garnett earned his twelfth consecutive All-Star Game start.

2009: Contract Extension Start

In 2009, Kevin Garnett's three-year, $60 million contract extension with the Boston Celtics, signed in 2007, began.

2009: Rasheed Wallace Signing

In 2009, the Celtics signed Rasheed Wallace as a free agent to join Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, however the team struggled with injuries and inconsistency.

2010: NBA Finals Appearance

In 2010, Kevin Garnett and the Celtics reached the NBA Finals after eliminating the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Orlando Magic. They faced the Los Angeles Lakers but lost in a decisive seventh game.

January 17, 2011: Return from Injury

On January 17, 2011, Kevin Garnett returned from a knee injury to face the Orlando Magic.

2011: Lockout Shortened Season

In 2011, during the lockout-shortened NBA season, Kevin Garnett and the Celtics started slowly but finished strong, making a deep playoff run to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they lost to the Miami Heat.

June 30, 2012: Contract Extension

On June 30, 2012, Kevin Garnett agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Boston Celtics, worth an estimated $34 million.

January 17, 2013: All-Star Selection

On January 17, 2013, Kevin Garnett was voted to start in the 2013 All-Star Game in Houston.

June 27, 2013: Trade to the Brooklyn Nets

On June 27, 2013, the Boston Celtics and the Brooklyn Nets agreed to trade Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Jason Terry for future first-round picks in the 2014, 2016, and 2018 drafts, as well as Kris Humphries, Gerald Wallace, Kris Joseph, MarShon Brooks, and Keith Bogans. The deal was completed on July 12.

2013: Trade to the Brooklyn Nets

In 2013, Kevin Garnett was part of a trade that sent him to the Brooklyn Nets, along with Paul Pierce.

November 1, 2014: Best Game as a Net

On November 1, 2014, Kevin Garnett recorded 18 points and 14 rebounds in the Nets' 102–90 win over the Detroit Pistons, marking what was arguably his best game for the Nets.

2014: Brooklyn Nets Trade

In 2014, the Boston Celtics received a first-round draft pick as part of the trade that sent Kevin Garnett to the Brooklyn Nets on June 27, 2013. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum eventually were drafted from these picks.

February 19, 2015: Trade back to Minnesota

On February 19, 2015, Kevin Garnett agreed to waive his no-trade clause to be traded back to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Thaddeus Young.

July 11, 2015: Re-signed with the Timberwolves

On July 11, 2015, Kevin Garnett re-signed with the Timberwolves, marking a continuation of his career with the team.

2015: Trade back to Minnesota

In 2015, Kevin Garnett was traded back to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

September 2016: Retirement Announcement

In September 2016, Kevin Garnett announced his retirement from professional basketball.

September 23, 2016: Retirement Announcement

On September 23, 2016, Kevin Garnett announced his retirement from the NBA after playing 21 seasons.

October 2016: Joins Inside the NBA

In October 2016, Kevin Garnett joined the crew on TNT's Inside the NBA.

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2016: Brooklyn Nets Trade

In 2016, the Boston Celtics received a first-round draft pick as part of the trade that sent Kevin Garnett to the Brooklyn Nets on June 27, 2013. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum eventually were drafted from these picks.

January 2017: Consultant for Los Angeles Clippers

In January 2017, Kevin Garnett became a consultant for the Los Angeles Clippers.

2018: Brooklyn Nets Trade

In 2018, the Boston Celtics received a first-round draft pick as part of the trade that sent Kevin Garnett to the Brooklyn Nets on June 27, 2013. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum eventually were drafted from these picks.