Fred Hoiberg, recently named a Timberwolves assistant general manager, said the team receives inquiries about trading Kevin Garnett. “He’s talked about a lot,” Hoiberg said. “People call and say, ‘is he available?’ And we say, ‘no,’ and we move on.”
Rumors of a Garnett trade have increased this year as the team struggled on the court. At 30 and with a mega contract, speculation the Wolves will trade their super star is understandable. In theory such a trade might not immediately return the Wolves to the playoffs after a two year absence but would help to build a title contender with young players and draft choices.
“He’s not going anywhere,” Hoiberg said. “Hopefully, he will retire as a Timberwolf. You just can’t get equal value back for a player like him.”
It’s no secret Garnett was frustrated with the team’s disappointing 33-49 record last season. Someone said he looked like a player “carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.”
Now as the Wolves ready themselves for their season opening game Wednesday night at Target Center, Garnett is rejuvenated. Hoiberg said Garnett “had a great summer” and he talked about how the Wolves’ leader brought teammates together in August to practice for three hours a day. Then he would host the players for dinner at his house. Garnett was working at building team unity.
“He’s in great spirits,” Hoiberg said. “Right now he has a smile on his face again. He looks like he is having fun playing basketball again. …I really see a good year out of him.”
A Wolves player for two seasons, Hoiberg, 34, announced his retirement earlier this year. He has had heart problems and he will use a pacemaker for the rest of his life. “I have a 100% heart block so every time my heart beats it’s because of my pacemaker,” he said. He can live a normal life except he can’t lift weights (concern with his aorta.)