NBA champion Kevin Garnett is no longer in the running to buy the Minnesota Timberwolves, the franchise where he spent his first 12 seasons.
“Just got the news that this process in trying to acquire the TWOLVES IS OVER,” Garnett wrote on Instagram.
Last year, Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor teased the idea of selling the team, prompting Garnett to organize a group to purchase. The plan failed to come to fruition due to a lack of urgency and poor communication between the parties, according to CBS Sports.
Garnett and Taylor’s relationship has been fractured for some time. Sources of tension:
- Taylor’s failure to include Garnett in Minnesota’s front office
- Issues with how Taylor handled a tribute to late coach Flip Saunders
- Garnett’s refusal to let the franchise retire his number while Taylor is around
“Kevin never contacted me at all saying that he was interested,” Taylor told The Athletic. “Nor was his name listed on any of the buying groups that asked for financial information to review.”
Garnett continued to voice his frustration on Instagram: “Crazy that some of these special players that helped build these franchises like a home can never own them, only rent.”
The Timberwolves are near the bottom of NBA teams in terms of valuation at $1.4 billion, ranking 28th out of 30 teams.