Report: Wolves' front office consulting with Garnett on draft process
Kevin Garnett has made it clear he wants to return to the Minnesota Timberwolves next season, presumably as a player.
But it's been long rumored that Garnett has a place in the franchise's future plans off the court, whether in a front-office role or as a part owner.
It appears the Wolves are already readying and perhaps vetting him for that transition, employing him as something of a go-between as they scout prospects leading up to the NBA draft.
Flip on w/ @ChrisMannixSI confirms that KG is part of the draft process. Will meet with in person and/or talk on the phone w/ guys. #twolves
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) June 8, 2015
The draft, set for June 25, is a particularly crucial one for Minnesota, which won the draft lottery and will pick first overall for the first time in franchise history. The Wolves are presumed to be deciding between big men Jahlil Okafor and Karl-Anthony Towns, with team president and head coach Flip Saunders rumored to be leaning towards Okafor.
The Wolves already have the league's last two No. 1 overall picks on their roster in Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett, both of whom came over in last offseason's Kevin Love trade.
Garnett, who was drafted fifth overall by Minnesota in 1995 and played the first 12 seasons of his Hall-of-Fame career there, managed to play just 98 minutes after being traded back to the Wolves this past February. Even if the 39-year-old returns in uniform next season, he'll likely occupy more of a mentorship role to the team's young, developing core.
- With h/t to PBT