Kevin Garnett essentially announces he is retiring at season's end


Following the Boston Celtics 71-69 win over the Chicago Bulls Wednesday night, Kevin Garnett dropped a bit of a bombshell on the Boston press. He announced this would be his final All-Star game and essentially added that he would be retiring at season's end at the age of 37. Garnett of course flirted with retiring last Summer, but decided to give it another go after having some time off to himself. KG signed a three year contract, but many of us (and people close to KG) believed the chances of KG fulfilling all three years were very slim.

The preps to pros superstar has had another solid year for the Celtics holding up physically, while his younger teammates, Rajon Rondo, Leandro Barbosa, and rookie Jared Sullinger have succumbed to season ending injuries. Garnett has also been the subject of trade rumors, but he 100% controls his fate since he owns a rare NBA no-trade clause, so he can veto any destination he doesn't like.


Celtics Hub has the transcript:

KG: "All Star Game for me at least is a chance to interact with everybody. For it being my last, I got some family coming down. You know me, I'm all about the rest. I'm all about the family. That's what I plan on doing."

Reporter: Will this be your last All-Star Game?"

KG: "This is definitely my last All-Star Game."

Reporter: "Why do you say that it will be your last All-Star Game?

KG:"Why not?"

Reporter: "Because you have two years left on your contract."

KG: "Ya'll don't know what I know."

I've pretty much suspected since he signed his 3 year contract in the Summer that Kevin Garnett might only play for one year. KG has always wanted to win, but also to earn his (Not a diss. Just saying that the man that has made more in his NBA career off contracts than any other player is a savvy businessman). If KG signed a one year contract for say $16 or $17 million it would have hurt the Celtics chances of retaining players like Jeff Green, Ray Allen, and Brandon Bass, as well as adding additional supporting cast players. But if KG signed for $11 million a year for 3 years, he could play his one season and then get "bought out" this coming Summer for $5 or $6 million and retire. Best of both worlds for KG. He gets to compete for one more title with a competitive roster and also gets the dollars he feels he's worth and deserves.

Now KG could always change his mind at some point (he's done that before), but this news really shouldn't come as a shock to anyone. In the Summer, the talk was whether KG would come back for one more year or retire. The whole 3 year thing seemed fishy. We should enjoy every last game we get to see the Big Ticket in green.


Video courtesy of WEEI.
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