Kevin Garnett, nicknamed "The Big Ticket," is a celebrated figure in basketball. His 21-season career in the NBA was marked by his exceptional skill and intensity as a power forward. Considered one of the all-time greats, Garnett is renowned for his versatility on offense and defense, earning him both the Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year awards.
May 19, 1976: Birth of Kevin Garnett
Kevin Garnett was born on May 19, 1976.
1989: Timberwolves Join the NBA
The Minnesota Timberwolves became part of the NBA in the 1989-1990 season.
1995: Kevin Garnett Enters the NBA
A highly touted high school prospect, Kevin Garnett was the fifth overall pick in the 1995 NBA draft, joining the Minnesota Timberwolves. He became the first player in 20 years to be drafted straight out of high school.
1995: Kevin Garnett Drafted by the Timberwolves
In 1995, Kevin Garnett was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves as the fifth overall pick, making history as the first player drafted straight out of high school since 1975.
1995: Preparation for the 1995 NBA Draft
In 1995, Kevin Garnett's path to the NBA involved working with agent Eric Fleisher and showcasing his skills in tryouts observed by NBA scouts, including a notable session with Detroit Pistons assistant John Hammond.
1995: NBA Draft Measurement
In 1995, during the NBA draft process, Kevin Garnett, at 19 years old, underwent official measurements, which listed his height as 6 ft 11 in barefoot.
1995: Kevin Garnett: High School Basketball Prodigy
Kevin Garnett was a standout high school basketball player. In 1995, he led Farragut Career Academy to an impressive 28-2 record and was recognized as the National High School Player of the Year by USA Today. He was also named Mr. Basketball in Illinois. Garnett's exceptional skills and performance in the McDonald's All-American Game, where he was named Most Outstanding Player, solidified his decision to forgo college basketball and enter the NBA draft.
1996: Timberwolves Acquire Stephon Marbury
The Minnesota Timberwolves made a significant move in 1996 by trading for point guard Stephon Marbury, adding him to their roster alongside Kevin Garnett.
August 1997: Contract Negotiations and Holdout
In August 1997, Kevin Garnett and his agent turned down a contract offer from the Timberwolves, seeking a more lucrative deal. Garnett stayed out of the public eye during negotiations.
October 1997: Record-Breaking Contract and Controversy
Garnett signed a six-year, $126 million contract extension with the Timberwolves in October 1997. The deal was the largest in NBA history at the time and sparked controversy over player salaries and labor tensions.
1997: Timberwolves Make First Playoff Appearance
In 1997, led by the duo of Kevin Garnett and Tom Gugliotta, the Minnesota Timberwolves achieved their first-ever playoff appearance in franchise history.
1997: Height Measurement by Timberwolves Staff
In 1997, while playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Kevin Garnett's height was measured by the team's training staff, who determined him to be 7 ft 1 in tall while wearing basketball shoes.
1998: Improved Performance and First Winning Season
Despite the controversy surrounding his contract, Garnett continued to improve on the court in 1998, leading the Timberwolves to their first-ever winning season. He averaged 18.5 points and 9.6 rebounds per game.
1999: Breakthrough Season and All-Star Recognition
Garnett emerged as a superstar in 1999, averaging 20.8 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. He was named to the All-NBA Third Team for his performance. Despite the arrival of Terrell Brandon, the team struggled after Stephon Marbury's departure mid-season.
May 20, 2000: Tragedy Strikes: Death of Malik Sealy
Timberwolves guard Malik Sealy, a close friend of Garnett's, was killed by a drunk driver on May 20, 2000, after celebrating Garnett's birthday.
2000: Career-High Numbers and MVP Contender
Garnett continued his impressive play in 2000, averaging 22.9 points and 11.8 rebounds per game. He earned his first All-NBA First Team selection and finished second in MVP voting.
2000: Olympic Gold Medal
In 2000, Kevin Garnett achieved international basketball success by winning a gold medal as a member of the United States national team at the Summer Olympics.
2001: Continued Excellence and Playoff Disappointment
Garnett maintained his high level of play in 2001, earning another All-NBA Second Team selection, but the Timberwolves suffered their sixth consecutive first-round playoff exit.
2003: Kevin Garnett Wins All-Star MVP
Kevin Garnett was named the NBA All-Star Game MVP in 2003.
2003: MVP Season and Playoff Success
With a strong supporting cast that included Latrell Sprewell and Sam Cassell, Garnett had the best season of his career in 2003. He won the NBA MVP award, averaging 24.2 points and 13.9 rebounds per game. The Timberwolves also achieved their greatest playoff success, reaching the Western Conference Finals.
July 2004: Marriage to Brandi Padilla
In July 2004, Kevin Garnett married his longtime girlfriend, Brandi Padilla, in a private ceremony held in California. This marked a significant personal milestone in his life.
2004: Kevin Garnett Wins MVP and Leads Timberwolves to Conference Finals
Kevin Garnett achieved a significant milestone in his career in 2004 by winning the NBA MVP Award while leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals.
January 4, 2005: Career-High Scoring Night
Garnett scored a career-high 47 points against the Phoenix Suns on January 4, 2005.
2006: Decline of the Timberwolves and Trade Rumors
The Timberwolves struggled in the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons, leading to trade rumors surrounding Garnett.
July 31, 2007: Traded to the Boston Celtics
On July 31, 2007, Kevin Garnett was traded to the Boston Celtics in a historic 7-for-1 deal, marking the end of his 12-season tenure with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
2007: Previous Stint with Minnesota Timberwolves
The year 2007 marked the end of Kevin Garnett's first stint with the Minnesota Timberwolves, before he was traded to the Boston Celtics.
2007: Garnett Joins the Celtics and Earns Defensive Player of the Year
Kevin Garnett was traded to the Boston Celtics in 2007. He went on to win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in the 2007-2008 season, his first with the team.
2007: Trade Considerations and Preferred Destinations
During the 2007 offseason, Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor became open to trading Garnett. Garnett expressed a desire to be traded to the Lakers, Celtics, or Suns.
2007: Height Confirmation During All-Star Game
During the 2007 NBA All-Star Game, Kevin Garnett addressed the long-standing discussion about his height, confirming in an interview with Craig Sager that he was "6 ft 11 in and some quarters" tall.
June 18, 2008: Appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman
On June 18, 2008, shortly after winning the NBA Championship with the Boston Celtics, Kevin Garnett and teammate Ray Allen appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman.
October 31, 2008: Youngest Player to Reach 1,000 Career Games
On October 31, 2008, at the age of 32 years and 165 days, Kevin Garnett became the youngest player in NBA history to achieve 1,000 career games.
2008: Garnett Wins Championship with the Celtics
In 2008, Kevin Garnett played a pivotal role in leading the Boston Celtics to victory in the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.
2008: Knee Injury During Boston Celtics Tenure
This event refers to the recurring knee injury that Kevin Garnett experienced in 2008 while playing for the Boston Celtics, which also affected him in later seasons.
February 15, 2009: Selected for his 12th Consecutive All-Star Game
Kevin Garnett was chosen to start in his 12th straight NBA All-Star Game on February 15, 2009.
February 19, 2009: Knee Injury
Kevin Garnett suffered a right knee injury during a game against the Utah Jazz on February 19, 2009, while attempting an alley-oop, sidelining him for a significant portion of the season.
May 2009: Undergoes Knee Surgery
In May 2009, Kevin Garnett underwent surgery on his right knee following an injury that occurred in February.
December 30, 2010: Right Knee Injury
Kevin Garnett sustained a right knee injury on December 30, 2010, during a game, causing him to miss two weeks of the season.
2010: NBA Finals Appearance
The Boston Celtics, led by Kevin Garnett, reached the NBA Finals in 2010, where they faced the Los Angeles Lakers, ultimately losing in a closely contested seven-game series.
January 17, 2011: Returns from Injury
On January 17, 2011, Kevin Garnett returned to the Celtics lineup after recovering from a right knee injury.
December 2011: Limited Shareholder in A.S. Roma
In December 2011, Kevin Garnett expanded his interests beyond basketball by becoming a limited shareholder in the Italian Serie A football team, A.S. Roma, demonstrating his business ventures.
2011: Missed All-Star Game
For the first time in 11 years, Kevin Garnett was not selected for the NBA All-Star game in 2011.
June 30, 2012: Contract Extension with the Celtics
Kevin Garnett signed a three-year contract extension with the Boston Celtics on June 30, 2012, valued at an estimated $34 million.
2012: Setting of "Uncut Gems"
The year 2012 serves as the backdrop for the events depicted in the film "Uncut Gems," where a fictionalized version of Kevin Garnett's involvement during the Eastern Conference Semi-finals series between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers unfolds.
January 17, 2013: Selected to Start in the 2013 All-Star Game
On January 17, 2013, Kevin Garnett was voted to start in the 2013 NBA All-Star Game in Houston.
February 7, 2013: 25,000th Career Point
Kevin Garnett achieved the milestone of scoring his 25,000th career point on February 7, 2013, during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
June 27, 2013: Trade to Brooklyn Nets
On June 27, 2013, Kevin Garnett was traded from the Boston Celtics to the Brooklyn Nets along with Paul Pierce and Jason Terry. The trade involved multiple draft picks and players, including future All-Stars Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum who were drafted with the Celtics' acquired picks.
December 13, 2013: 14,000 Career Rebounds
On December 13, 2013, Kevin Garnett achieved a significant milestone by surpassing 14,000 career rebounds. This accomplishment placed him among an elite group of only ten players in NBA history to reach this milestone. Notably, he joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone as the only players to achieve 25,000 points, 14,000 rebounds, and 5,000 assists.
2013: Garnett and Pierce Traded to the Nets
In a major trade in 2013, Kevin Garnett and his long-time Celtics teammate Paul Pierce were traded to the Brooklyn Nets.
November 1, 2014: Notable Performance Against the Pistons
On November 1, 2014, Kevin Garnett delivered a standout performance for the Nets, recording 18 points and 14 rebounds in a win against the Detroit Pistons. This game highlighted his continued impact on the court.
2014: Return to Minnesota Timberwolves
This event refers to Kevin Garnett's return to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2014 after his time with the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets.
2014: Return to Minnesota Timberwolves and Knee Injury
This event refers to Kevin Garnett's return to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2014 and his struggles with a knee injury during that season.
2014: Future Draft Picks
This event refers to the year 2014 when one of the future first-round draft picks involved in the Kevin Garnett trade between the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets was exercised.
February 19, 2015: Trade Back to Minnesota Timberwolves
On February 19, 2015, Kevin Garnett agreed to a trade that sent him back to the Minnesota Timberwolves, marking a return to the franchise where he began his NBA journey.
July 11, 2015: Re-signs with Timberwolves
On July 11, 2015, Kevin Garnett showed his commitment to the Minnesota Timberwolves by re-signing with the team for a two-year deal.
November 15, 2015: 50,000 Minutes Played Milestone
On November 15, 2015, Kevin Garnett reached a remarkable milestone in his NBA career, surpassing 50,000 minutes played. He joined an exclusive club of players including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Jason Kidd, and Elvin Hayes.
2015: Garnett Returns to Minnesota
Kevin Garnett returned to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2015 after being traded back to the team where he started his NBA career.
September 2016: Kevin Garnett Announces Retirement
Kevin Garnett announced his retirement from professional basketball in September 2016 after a long and successful career.
September 23, 2016: Retirement Announcement
After a remarkable 21-season career in the NBA, Kevin Garnett announced his retirement on September 23, 2016, marking the end of an era for the power forward.
October 2016: Joins TNT's Inside the NBA
Following his retirement, Kevin Garnett transitioned into a media role, joining the crew on TNT's Inside the NBA in October 2016, where he shared his insights and analysis of the game.
2016: Future Draft Picks
This event refers to the year 2016 when one of the future first-round draft picks involved in the Kevin Garnett trade between the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets was exercised.
January 2017: Consultant Role with Los Angeles Clippers
Expanding his post-playing career, Kevin Garnett took on a consultant role with the Los Angeles Clippers in January 2017, leveraging his experience to contribute to the team's operations.
July 12, 2018: Divorce Filing
On July 12, 2018, Kevin Garnett's wife, Brandi Padilla, filed for divorce, leading to a legal process involving custody of their children.
2018: Future Draft Picks
This event refers to the year 2018 when one of the future first-round draft picks involved in the Kevin Garnett trade between the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets was exercised.
2019: Appearance in "Uncut Gems"
In 2019, Kevin Garnett showcased his acting skills by playing a fictionalized version of himself in the critically acclaimed crime thriller "Uncut Gems," directed by the Safdie brothers.
2019: Kevin Garnett's Acting Debut
Kevin Garnett made his feature film debut in 2019, playing a fictionalized version of himself in the movie "Uncut Gems."
2020: Kevin Garnett: One of Five NBA Players to Achieve MVP and DPOY Awards
As of 2020, Kevin Garnett is recognized as one of only five NBA players to have received both the NBA Most Valuable Player Award and the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award.
February 2021: Publication of Autobiography
In February 2021, Simon & Schuster published Kevin Garnett's autobiography, titled "KG: A to Z: An Uncensored Encyclopedia of Life, Basketball, and Everything in Between," co-written with David Ritz.
August 20, 2021: Celtics to Retire Garnett's Number 5 Jersey
On August 20, 2021, the Boston Celtics announced their plans to retire Kevin Garnett's number 5 jersey, a testament to his impactful career with the team.
2021: Garnett Named to NBA 75th Anniversary Team
In 2021, Kevin Garnett was honored with a place on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, recognizing his lasting impact on the league.
March 13, 2022: Jersey Retirement Ceremony
The Boston Celtics officially retired Kevin Garnett's number 5 jersey on March 13, 2022, during a game against the Dallas Mavericks.