Before Kevin Garnett became an NBA champion with the Celtics in 2008, the Hall of Famer spent his first dozen seasons with the Timberwolves, solidifying himself as the one of the league’s most elite big men.
However, in his first stint in Minnesota, the 15-time All-Star only got within reach of an NBA Finals appearance once during the 2003–04 campaign when the Lakers defeated his Timberwolves in the Western Conference finals. Before nearly reaching the NBA’s pinnacle, Minnesota suffered seven disappointing first-round postseason departures before Garnett was traded to Boston ahead of the ’07 season.
As this year’s NBA free agency begins Friday, no player has faced more speculation regarding his future than Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard. The seven-time All-Star, who has spent his entire career in Portland, has publicly stated that he wants to remain with the franchise, despite the Heat’s reported interest in the point guard.
