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Saunders: Garnett Deal Wasn’t About Selling Tickets

Basketball Insiders Sports Editor

Updated9 hours ago on April 24, 2024

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Frustrated fans who purchased tickets after (Timberwolves Kevin) Garnett’s acquisition wondered if Garnett was brought back merely as a public relations ploy to sell more tickets. Others questioned how he could pass a pre-trade physical when his knees were too sore for him to play.

Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders said the examination revealed nothing more than what they expected to see from a 38-year-old power forward who has played 20 years in the league. And Saunders saw no reason to try to rush the 38-year-old back in a season that was essentially lost in November when Ricky Rubio, Nikola Pekovic and Kevin Martin all went out with major injuries.

Flip Saunders admitted he expected to see Kevin Garnett in more games. AP Photo/Andy King

“His mentoring, that’s why we brought him in here,” Saunders said. “We didn’t bring him here to sell tickets. … If I had to do the deal over again, I’d do it in a second.”

via ESPN