Kevin Garnett signed a three-year contract extension with the Boston Celtics this past offseason, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he intends to play in the NBA until he is 39 years old. The Big Ticket’s numbers have remained roughly the same for the past three or four seasons, but it’s obvious his body is slowly breaking down. Despite that, he is still one of the more popular players in the league.
The fans selected Garnett as an Eastern Conference starter for the 2013 All-Star Game — his 15th All-Star appearance. Will KG’s 15th All-Star appearance definitely be his last? That would only be a guarantee if he retired.
“This is definitely my last All-Star game,” Garnett said after the Celtics win over the Chicago Bulls Wednesday night, via WEEI.com. “Y’all don’t know what I know. So, let’s put it like this: I’m more than grateful for going, but I’m not going to act like I’ve got more All-Star Games in me, so I’m actually going to enjoy this one with some friends and family.”
That could be Garnett insisting his skills have declined to the point where he doesn’t deserve any more All-Star appearances, but it certainly sounds like he’s saying this is his last season in the NBA.
“The All-Star experience for me is more for friends and fam,” he said. “You’ve always got that wild-ass uncle who shows his ass. You’ve always got that friend that you have to pull to the side and have that conversation. It’s no different for me. It’s a fun time.”
With Rajon Rondo out for the season, Paul Pierce and KG getting old and Ray Allen gone, the championship window may have already closed in Boston. Garnett has made more money (contract-wise) during his career than any player in league history. If he wants to go out on his own terms, it certainly won’t be tough to leave two more years worth of salary on the table.
