Andrew Wiggins wasn't even a year old when Kevin Garnett made his NBA debut with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1995. But that doesn't mean he isn't aware of the impact the former face of the franchise had on the organization.
Garnett, selected with the No. 5 pick in the 1995 draft, reunited with Minnesota Thursday, years after he was dealt to the Boston Celtics following a 12-year run with the Timberwolves in which he was selected to 10 All-Star Games and captured the 2004 MVP award.
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He made his debut with the Timberwolves as a 19-year-old and is now set to return at the ripe age of 38.
"When you think of Timberwolves, you think of Kevin Garnett," Wiggins said. "That's the first thing that comes up."
Garnett returns to Minnesota as the franchise leader in points, blocks, assists and steals. And while his best playing days are behind him - he's averaging 6.8 points over a career-low 20.3 minutes - the team is confident he still has something to offer.
"He's going to bring a lot of toughness, not just in games, but in practice, and that's going to help the young guys to step up," Wolves point guard Ricky Rubio said. "It's going to be a lesson every day, so we are going to be ready for him."
The Timberwolves haven't been to the playoffs since Garnett led the team to eight consecutive appearances from 1997-2004.
Garnett will once again wear the No. 21 he donned during his first stint with the team and is expected to play his first game at home Wednesday against the Washington Wizards.
