Garnett to retire

Kevin Garnett has decided to retire after 21 seasons in the NBA, leaving a legacy as one of the best defensive players in league history and one of the game’s most influential and intense competitors. Garnett posted a video on his Instagram account Friday, saying “farewell” and “thank you for the journey.” Garnett informed the Timberwolves of his

decision to retire on Friday. The team will waive the franchise icon, which will allow him to collect his entire $8 million salary for next season. That is the same approach the San Antonio Spurs took with Tim Duncan. “I’m proud of our association with Kevin, just seeing him grow over the years,” Wolves owner Glen Taylor told The Associated Press. “I wish him the very best in the future and want to thank him, along with our fans, for the great memories that he has given us.” Garnett, 40, put the Timberwolves on the map by turning one of the most hapless franchises in professional sports into a perennial playoff team. He later helped return the Boston Celtics to glory. He came into the league straight from high school in 1995, the first player to do so in two decades. The decision was considered a risk at the time, but Garnett’s success paved the way for Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Tracy McGrady to follow him. Garnett also made more than $330 million in his career, the most by any player in league history. Garnett spoke often of his desire to one day get into ownership with the Wolves, but it remains unclear if that door is still open after the death of Flip Saunders, the team’s head coach who died from Hodgkin’s lymphoma before last season and the man Garnett trusted most in the organization.