Garnett on returning for 20th season: 'I still have something to give to the game'

Kevin Garnett will become just the fourth player to play 20 NBA seasons when he comes back to the court this fall with the Brooklyn Nets, but he admits that retirement has crossed his mind recently.

"(Retirement is) always somewhere in there, especially when you come up short of your goal for the year," said Garnett, via ESPN New York.

But I must admit these last three years I've thought about life and where basketball is as far as priority. So yeah, in the back of your mind you think about it. But the decision is yes or no. It's not like 50-50 I'm in the middle of the road or gray area. I'm a person that when you commit to something, you commit to it. It's that simple.

Nets coach Lionel Hollins said earlier this month that Garnett would be his starting power forward, and while the 38-year-old is no longer a top offensive option, Garnett still believes he can contribute.

"I really don't see myself as primary and that's just reality," Garnett said. "But I still can give. I still have something to give to the game, to this team and my mindset has always been to be better than I was last year or to be better than I was yesterday. So I'm not going to change that."

Last season, Garnett posted career-low averages in minutes, points, assists, blocks, steals, and field goal percentage, along with his lowest rebounding average since his rookie season.

Garnett is entering the final year of his contract, which will pay him $12 million, but retirement talk after this season is still premature until the future Hall of Famer says otherwise.

"I've always said the days when I'm not feeling basketball again, which is absurd, or when I don't have the motivation to come in here, it's time to move on," he said.

"But that's not the case. I'm very much motivated. I'm looking to have a better year than last year and I'm looking to enjoy this year."