The Minnesota Timberwolves have officially announced that they will retire the No. 21 jersey of franchise legend Kevin Garnett, marking a full restoration of the relationship between this iconic figure and his former team.

At the same time, the Timberwolves have also appointed Garnett as a team ambassador, and will hold a jersey-lifting ceremony at their home arena, Target Center, to pay tribute to his historic contributions to the team.

Garnett joined the Timberwolves with the fifth overall pick in 1995 and almost single-handedly laid the foundation for this young team. He played his first 12 seasons with the Timberwolves, was named the NBA regular season MVP in 2004, and led the Timberwolves to the playoffs for eight consecutive years, creating a franchise record that remains unbroken to this day.

To this day, Garnett remains the Timberwolves' all-time leader in points, rebounds, steals, blocks, games played, and minutes played, making him the undisputed greatest player in franchise history.

However, the relationship was not without its challenges. After Garnett was traded in 2007, his relationship with former owner Glen Taylor broke down, and he maintained a long-term distance from the team. Although he made a brief return in 2015 to bid farewell to his career, management changes and broken promises prevented the two sides from truly reconciling.

This rift prevented the Timberwolves from retiring his jersey for a long time, becoming a regret for fans. A turning point came this year. With the Timberwolves changing ownership and a new owner taking over the team, the door to Garnett's return finally opened.

Retiring Garnett's number 21 jersey is not only a recognition of his personal achievements, but also a symbol of the Timberwolves officially embracing their own history. Garnett stated that Minnesota is where his basketball dream began, and he looks forward to returning to the city in a new role to contribute to the team and the community.

Going forward, Garnett will serve as a team ambassador, participating in home events, community initiatives, and shaping the team's culture and story. For the Timberwolves, this is not only a belated tribute, but also a reconciliation with the past.