“Do what you love and go after your dreams. Don’t regret it. Don’t hesitate.” Sounds like solid advice, right? But if that’s the case, why does The Big Ticket himself seem to feel otherwise? We’re talking about Kevin Garnett, basketball royalty, Hall of Famer, and one of the most intense competitors the game has ever seen. But now, after all these years, it looks like there’s one move from his past still lingering in his mind.

In 2001, he made a choice. It’s a move that might not sit right with him anymore. So the big question is: Does he regret it? And if so, is there any way to undo that decision now?

Garnett always credits a high school Nike camp for putting him on the map, so signing a five-year deal with Nike in 1995 felt like a no-brainer. He debuted the first Air Garnett at the ’98 All-Star Game, becoming just the 10th Nike player with a signature shoe. But Garnett wanted more than just a sneaker. He wanted a brand built around him. That desire led him to leave Nike for AND1 in 2001, landing him among the NBA’s top-earning sneaker endorsers. And now he might be missing his days with Nike. How? See for yourself.

Kevin Garnett recently took to Instagram to share a throwback, his Player’s Delight commercial from 1999. The spotlight? His iconic Air Garnett 3s. With their bold black borders, bright blue fading mesh, and crisp white leather, they became his most memorable pair. Designer Aaron Cooper once revealed the inspiration behind them: “It was inspired by a nuclear atom, something that radiates energy forever or for a very long time.”

 Sounds fitting for a player who never stopped bringing the heat. What do you say? 

When Kevin Garnett dropped this nostalgic post, it wasn’t just the throwback that had fans talking; it was his caption. “The good ol’ days 😤😤🫡💯 Hey Nike tap in 🤔💯 @nike.” Naturally, this set the internet buzzing. Is KG hinting at a possible collaboration, or is this just a trip down memory lane? For the record, as of now, Nike hasn’t said a word about a reunion. But hey, you know what? Never say never in the sneaker game.

But do you know what Kevin Garnett had to say about why he walked away from a multi-billion-dollar giant like Nike?

Why did Kevin Garnett dip on his Nike deal? Here’s the real tea

Before rocking AND1 and Adidas, Kevin Garnett was a Nike guy. He was one of their top endorsers in the ’90s. However, things took a turn when Nike pitched him their latest innovation: the Nike Shox. Sounds cool, right? Not to KG. “It looked like some s—,” Garnett bluntly told shoe guru Nick DePaula.

He wasn’t just being picky; he needed better cushioning, especially in the toe area, for his play style. “Whenever I handled the ball, I was on my toes, so I needed the cushion of the front cap to be cushioned, and then I was pushing off so much,” he explained.

And here’s another twist. Nike also wanted him on Team Jordan. KG even balled out in the Jumpman Pro during his sophomore year, helping the Timberwolves reach their first-ever playoff appearance. But despite all that, he had bigger dreams. “I was honored to wear this (Jumpman Pr), but I had aspirations of having my own. And I wanted my own signature shoe.” 

So, instead of staying under the Jumpman umbrella, Garnett bet on himself. And that decision? Well, it led him to one of the boldest sneaker moves in NBA history.