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. Widely regarded as one of the greatest power forwards ever, he was renowned for his intensity, versatility, and defensive prowess. Notably, he is one of only five players in NBA history to win both the NBA Most Valuable Player Award and the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award.

Sections (4)

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

1975: Drafted out of high school

Kevin Garnett became the first player drafted directly out of high school since 1975 when he joined the NBA

1995: Drafted by the Timberwolves

In 1995, Kevin Garnett was drafted with the fifth overall pick in the NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

1995: McDonald's All-American and NBA Draft

In 1995, Kevin Garnett was named a McDonald's All-American at Farragut Career Academy and was selected fifth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA draft, becoming the first player drafted directly from high school in 20 years.

1995: Pre-NBA Draft Workout

In 1995, before the NBA draft, Kevin Garnett had a workout at the University of Illinois-Chicago, run by Detroit Pistons assistant John Hammond, with representatives from 13 teams with lottery picks present, including Kevin McHale, Elgin Baylor, and Flip Saunders.

1996: Timberwolves trade for Stephon Marbury

Before the 1996–97 season, the Timberwolves traded for point guard Stephon Marbury.

August 1997: Contract Negotiations

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

October 1, 1997: Contract Extension Agreement

On October 1, 1997, the Timberwolves and Kevin Garnett agreed to a six-year contract extension worth $126 million.

1997: First Playoff Appearance

In 1997, the Minnesota Timberwolves made their first playoff appearance in franchise history with a 40-42 record. Garnett and Gugliotta made their first All-Star appearances.

1998: All-Star and Timberwolves' First Winning Record

In 1998, Garnett was an All-Star, and the Timberwolves finished with their first winning record in franchise history at 45-37.

2000: Garnett Wins Gold Medal at Summer Olympics

In 2000, Kevin Garnett won a gold medal as a member of the United States national team at the Summer Olympics. During the tournament in 2000, he averaged 10.8 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.

2003: MVP Season

In the 2003–04 season, Kevin Garnett averaged 24.2 points, 13.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.2 blocks and 1.5 steals per game. He was named the league Most Valuable Player.

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 achieved a career-high of 47 points along with 17 rebounds in a game against the Phoenix Suns, which ended in a 115–122 loss.

2006: Ricky Davis–Wally Szczerbiak trade

In 2006, Minnesota traded to Boston in the Ricky Davis–Wally Szczerbiak trade of 2006, that factored into the July 31, 2007 trade that would send Kevin Garnett to the Celtics.

July 31, 2007: Trade to the Boston Celtics

On July 31, 2007, Kevin Garnett was traded to the Boston Celtics from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Sebastian Telfair, Gerald Green, Theo Ratliff, cash considerations, Boston's 2009 first-round draft pick (top 3 protected), and the 2009 first-round pick which Minnesota traded to Boston in the Ricky Davis–Wally Szczerbiak trade of 2006. Garnett also signed a three-year, $60 million contract extension.

2007: Last Timberwolves game prior to trade

Before being traded back to Minnesota on February 19, 2015, Kevin Garnett's last game with the Timberwolves was in 2007, making his return significant.

2007: Joining the Celtics

In 2007, Garnett joined the Celtics, which led to a championship season where he developed a relationship with Celtics legend Bill Russell, who was a major influence in helping him succeed during his first season as a Celtic, culminating in winning the 2007-08 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.

2007: NBA Defensive Player of the Year

In 2007, Kevin Garnett was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year with the Boston Celtics during his first season with the team.

June 18, 2008: Late Show Appearance

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

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October 31, 2008: Youngest to Reach 1,000 Games

On October 31, 2008, Kevin Garnett became the youngest player in NBA history to play 1,000 career games at 32 years and 165 days.

2008: Championship Run

During their 2008 championship run, the Celtics dominated opponents. Garnett helped elevate their play and consistency leading to the 2010 Finals.

2008: NBA Championship with the Celtics

In 2008, Kevin Garnett helped lead the Boston Celtics to the NBA Finals, where they defeated 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: Wallace Signing

In 2009, Rasheed Wallace signed with the Celtics to join Garnett and the Celtics to try to make a championship run in 2010.

2009: Contract Extension

In 2009, after the trade, Garnett's three-year, $60 million contract extension that he signed on July 31, 2007, would start.

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, ultimately losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in a decisive seventh game.

January 17, 2011: Return from Injury

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

December 2011: Garnett Becomes Shareholder of A.S. Roma

In December 2011, Kevin Garnett agreed to become a limited shareholder of American-owned Italian Serie A football team A.S. Roma.

2011: Playoff Resurgence

In the lockout-shortened 2011-12 NBA season, Garnett, after a slow start, found a resurgence in the playoffs averaging 19.2 points, 10.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game, leading the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals.

June 30, 2012: Contract Extension

On June 30, 2012, Kevin Garnett agreed to a three-year contract extension with the 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.

February 7, 2013: 25,000th Career Point

On February 7, 2013, Kevin Garnett scored his 25,000th point in a 116–95 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

June 27, 2013: Trade to the Brooklyn Nets

On June 27, 2013, Kevin Garnett, along with Paul Pierce and Jason Terry, was traded from the Boston Celtics to the Brooklyn Nets 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.

December 13, 2013: 14,000 Career Rebounds

On December 13, 2013, Kevin Garnett surpassed 14,000 career rebounds, becoming the tenth player in NBA history to do so, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone as the only players to reach 25,000 points, 14,000 rebounds, and 5,000 assists. He reached the milestone in the third quarter of a 103–99 road loss to the Detroit Pistons.

2013: Trade to the Brooklyn Nets

In 2013, Kevin Garnett was traded to the Brooklyn Nets along with Paul Pierce.

November 1, 2014: Best Game for the Nets

On November 1, 2014, Kevin Garnett had arguably his best game for the Nets, recording 18 points and 14 rebounds in a 102–90 win over the Detroit Pistons.

2014: Season Prior To Timberwolves Return

Before returning to the Timberwolves on February 19, 2015, Kevin Garnett was playing for the Nets in 2014.

2014: Future Draft Picks

In 2014, The Brooklyn Nets traded for Kevin Garnett as part of a trade agreement on June 27, 2013, to include future first-round picks in the 2014, 2016, and 2018 drafts for Garnett and others.

February 19, 2015: Trade Back to Minnesota

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

July 11, 2015: Re-signing with Timberwolves

On July 11, 2015, Kevin Garnett re-signed with the Timberwolves to a two-year deal.

November 15, 2015: 50,000 Minutes Played

On November 15, 2015, in a game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Kevin Garnett became the fifth player in NBA history to play at least 50,000 minutes.

2015: Trade back to Minnesota

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

September 23, 2016: Garnett Announces Retirement

On September 23, 2016, Kevin Garnett announced his retirement from the NBA after 21 seasons. He had considered playing one more season with the Timberwolves to help their young players but was unsure if his knees would hold up.

October 2016: Garnett Joins TNT's Inside the NBA

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

2016: Future Draft Picks

In 2016, The Brooklyn Nets traded for Kevin Garnett as part of a trade agreement on June 27, 2013, to include future first-round picks in the 2014, 2016, and 2018 drafts for Garnett and others.

January 2017: Garnett Becomes Consultant for the Los Angeles Clippers

In January 2017, Kevin Garnett joined the Los Angeles Clippers as a consultant. He also consulted with the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2016–17 season.

2018: Future Draft Picks

In 2018, The Brooklyn Nets traded for Kevin Garnett as part of a trade agreement on June 27, 2013, to include future first-round picks in the 2014, 2016, and 2018 drafts for Garnett and others.