Garnett Avoids The Question About Future With Wolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves’ first trip to the playoffs has everyone talking about their promising future. Everyone except the player most responsible for that optimism, that is.

Kevin Garnett sidestepped a question about his future with the Wolves on Monday. Now in his second year, Garnett will be a free agent after next season and almost certainly will command a long-term contract worth more than $100 million.

Will the deal be with Minnesota?

“Next question,” Garnett said with a wry grin, deftly redirecting the conversation the way he usually does when the subject is broached.

Drafted with the fifth pick overall in 1995 out of Chicago’s Farragut Academy High School, Garnett quickly has emerged as one of the NBA’s brightest young stars. A 7-foot small forward, he averaged 17 points, eight rebounds and 3.1 assists and 2.1 blocks this season, leading all NBA forwards in the last category.

He was named to the All-Star Game as an injury replacement, recognition of his engaging demeanor as much as his performance.