In the era of positionless basketball, big men like Karl Anthony-Towns and Anthony Davis have often transcended to the four. They have the size of a center, yet can handle the ball with grace and finesse. However, there was a forebear who enabled this transition- Kevin Garnett. The Big Ticket was the revolutionary forward who opened up the barriers. He could run the floor, block shots, and shoot the ball. He was the prototype of the new age.

The Boston Celtics legend was among the few stars who made the NBA jump straight from high school. He flaunts one of the most colorful NBA resumes and has also sustained his success years after retirement. Here is the tale of how Kevin Garnett managed to prevail on and off the court.

Kevin Garnett was an NBA phenom

When The Big Ticket entered the league, basketball was looked at from a narrow perspective. Each position had its designated duties. The centers lived in the paint, forwards were the slashers, and guards took care of spacing the floor. But KG stood as the revolutionary, a gateway for others to soon follow. He possessed the instrumental skills of a big but could operate the game like a guard. At his pinnacle, he was among the best shooting big men, excelling in his mid-range game.

He played for 21 seasons, crossing off every accolade a human could possibly want. He could guard all five positions and made 12 All-Defensive Teams. In 2008, he won DPOY, the final piece to complete his trophy case. KG is an NBA champion, an MVP, and a generational forward.

At the time of his retirement, he was the highest-paid NBA athlete of all time. Through his decorated two-decade run, KG earned $334 million, good enough for fifth place today. But despite his triumphs on the court, Garnett wasn’t the most marketable superstar.

Kevin Garnett’s endorsement empire

As an upper echelon superstar, most make the majority of their fortune off lucrative endorsement deals. Garnett didn’t fall under that norm though. Don’t get it wrong, he has worked with several brands throughout his life. His most notable deal was with the German sports powerhouse, Adidas. In 2003, he signed a ‘lifetime’ deal with the three stripes. The agreement reportedly made KG $2 million annually before he turned his back on the $20 billion worth company.

Switching scenery, the 2008 NBA champion signed with the Chinese brand, Anta. The specifics of the contract were never made available to the public. However, it is believed to be generous enough for Garnett to leave Adidas. Apart from these major deals, the Hall of Famer also worked with Nike, Gatorade, and AND1.

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But if it wasn’t for endorsements, how was KG able to survive after his incredible NBA success?

The Big Ticket is an adventurous businessman

Like many of his peers, Garnett’s sensational instincts on the floor translated into him being a savvy investor. He began his own production company, Content Cartel Productions. They offer a multitude of programs and have previously worked with HBO, Netflix, and other giants in the industry.

The 2004 NBA MVP also dangles his money in real estate. He has garnered quite an empire as he frequently invests in valuable properties. His most popular has to be the Lavish Malibu Mansion he purchased in 2013. Originally bought for $6.4 million, it is equipt with six bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and other amenities of a luxurious home. In 2021, he sold the property for a whopping $16 million after making upgrades to the house himself.

Kevin Garnett even has a posh condo in Boston’s Four Seasons Residence, which he purchased for $4.625 million according to Investor Trip. Nonetheless, basketball remains his first love.

The Boston Celtics legend enters the sports media

While he walked away from basketball in 2016, the urge to be involved never left his veins. After working as a consultant for various NBA teams, he finally joined the media. At first, he had a brief stint within ‘Inside the NBA’, even earning his own show ‘Area 21’. After the closure of the segment, he decided to begin something on his own.

That gave rise to KG Certified, his very own podcast. He and his former Celtics ally Paul Pierce offer their takes on the current happenings around the league. Cumulatively, Garnett has a reported net worth of $120 million.

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He was a ruthless trash talker, a bruiser, and an all-time legend of the NBA. He forms a rich piece of history, and the Big Ticket will always hold a special place in the chronicles of basketball.