National Basketball Association

KG on return to Wolves: 'If LeBron can go home, why can't I?'

Published Feb. 24, 2015 4:54 p.m. ET

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Kevin Garnett donned a Timberwolves jersey for the first time in nearly eight years Tuesday as he officially returned to the franchise that drafted him as a 19-year-old out of high school in 1995.

Both the player and the jersey look quite a bit different than they did back then, as you can see in the photo above. And while Garnett is now an NBA champion — as a member of the Boston Celtics in 2008 — the Timberwolves are still very much where they were when he joined, mired in losing ways and banking on young stars to develop.

Garnett, who has long considered the Minneapolis area home, compared his decision to that of LeBron James, who returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers this season after a two-title stint with the Miami Heat.

"I figured if LeBron can go home, why can't I?" Garnett said at a press conference re-introducing him to the team.

The Timberwolves aren't exactly in contention at 12-43, last place in the Western Conference, but this move isn't about Garnett competing for a championship. Rather, he will serve primarily as a mentor to the young but promising roster.

"I'm here to share my experience, my journey and instill confidence in these young guys," Garnett said.

Garnett will put on a Timberwolves uniform on the court again when Minnesota plays host to Washington on Wednesday night. The Wolves said Monday they released 1,000 extra tickets for the game. Here are a couple other looks at the new digs:

Minnesota traded starting power forward Thaddeus Young to the Brooklyn Nets last Thursday for Garnett.

A 15-time All-Star, Garnett leads the Timberwolves franchise in just about every major statistical category and won the NBA Most Valuable Player award in 2004. Minnesota made the playoffs eight straight years under Garnett's leadership, and not once before or since.

The Timberwolves traded Garnett to the Celtics in the 2007 offseason. Boston traded him to the Nets after the 2012-13 season.