Kevin Garnett Reportedly Expected to Retire

The Minnesota Timberwolves re-signed Kevin Garnett to a two-year deal in July 2015, but the Big Ticket's time with the team that drafted him in 1995 is reportedly coming to a close.  

Kent Youngblood of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported Garnett will not return to the Timberwolves and is expected to announce his retirement.

On Wednesday, ESPN's Marc Stein reported Garnett and the Timberwolves were "in advanced discussions on a buyout" that would mark the end of his latest stint in Minnesota. 

Stein added that part of Garnett's agreement to return to the Timberwolves in 2015 revolved around the presence of Flip Saunders, who was coaching and in charge of basketball operations at the time. 

According to Stein, Garnett "hoped to join Saunders in eventually buying the franchise from longtime Wolves owner Glen Taylor," before Saunders died last October. 

On Wednesday, Youngblood reported Garnett had discussed his future with Taylor. 

"Glen and Kevin and his representatives are in discussions," Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau said, per Youngblood. "We’ll keep that private for now, and we’ll see how it unfolds. But, obviously, what Kevin has meant to our league, the organization, he’s earned the right to have those discussions with Glen."

The Associated Press' Jon Krawczynski tweeted there "was hope in Wolves [organization] that KG would retire and leave on good terms" but that Stein's report "indicates [it] may not work that way."

Garnett was scheduled to earn $8 million this season. 

Garnett appeared in just five games for the Timberwolves during the 2014-15 season after they acquired him from the Brooklyn Nets at the February trade deadline, and he was limited to 38 games a season ago due to knee soreness. 

If Garnett does call it quits, he will be a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame when he becomes eligible for enshrinement in Springfield, Massachusetts. 

Over the course of 21 seasons, the 15-time All-Star and 2003-04 MVP has averaged 17.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.3 steals while shooting 49.7 percent from the field. 

Furthermore, his nine seasons with averages of at least 20 points and 10 boards ties him for 11th all-time. 

Contract information courtesy of Spotrac.com.