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Report: 'Rejuvenated' Kevin Garnett returning to Wolves on 2-year deal

Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

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Because he's inextricably linked to Tim Duncan. Because the chance to mentor Karl-Anthony Towns is too enticing. Because an entire generation of fans don't know an NBA without him.

Kevin Garnett is returning for a 21st season, according to Darren Wolfson of KSTP, and he'll do so with the team that drafted him fifth overall a shade more than 20 years ago. Garnett and the Minnesota Timberwolves have reached a two-year agreement, according to Marc Stein of ESPN, but his salary and whether the second year is an option remains unclear.

"I'm incredibly excited and rejuvenated to be a part of this talented, committed team," Garnett told Wolfson.

Garnett inking a two-year deal is surprising considering he's 39 years old and has more miles on the odometer than almost any player in history, but Stein reports Garnett's plan is to play through his 40th birthday by managing his minutes. He averaged 20.3 minutes in 2014-15 and 20.5 the season before, and his workload could continue to decline as the Wolves' youngsters carve out larger roles.

In his career, Garnett has earned an estimated $327.4 million, the highest for any player, ever. While that may suggest Garnett's in line for a veteran's minimum contract, he also has designs on owning a piece of a team one day, maybe even the Wolves, so a heavy discount may not be a forgone conclusion.

Garnett spent the first 12 seasons of his career in Minnesota before joining the Boston Celtics as a member of the new Big Three, winning a championship in the process. He was dealt to the Brooklyn Nets in 2013 and then back to the Wolves at last season's trade deadline in what was viewed as a homecoming or victory lap of sorts.

The 15-time All-Star staying on to help mold the team's enticing core should work out for all involved. He's a vocal leader that can act as an extension of head coach Flip Saunders, he has a wealth of NBA knowledge to pass on, and he gets to close out his career on his own terms, as one of the two longest-tenured players in league history.

In 1,424 career games, Garnett has averaged 18.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.4 blocks, all while shooting 49.7 percent and playing some of the best defense the power forward position has ever known. An Olympic gold medalist, Garnett earned the 2004 NBA MVP award, made four All-NBA First Teams, five other All-NBA teams, won Defensive Player of the Year in 2008, and made 12 NBA All-Defensive teams.

A four-time league-leading rebounder, Garnett is not only the Wolves' franchise leader in scoring but the NBA's 15th-leading scorer, it's 17th-leading shot-blocker, and ninth-leading rebounder. He also owns the all-time records for on-court yelling, both in terms of number of shouts, volume of screams, and creative opponent insults.

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