New-look Suns, Wolves tangle in Twin Cities

(SportsNetwork.com) - The Minnesota Timberwolves host the Phoenix Suns on Friday night with a familiar face back home. Perhaps, he's the most familiar face in franchise history.

Kevin Garnett, who won the MVP in 2004 while with Minnesota, was acquired Thursday in a deal that sent Thaddeus Young to the Brooklyn Nets. Garnett, who left the Timberwolves in July of 2007, is still the franchise all-time leader in almost every major statistic.

"We are excited to have Kevin Garnett back in Minnesota and playing for the Timberwolves," said Minnesota head coach Flip Saunders. "When people think of the Timberwolves they think of KG. He had some great years for us and our organization and fans really respect what he's done here in Minnesota and throughout his NBA career. KG will bring his usual strong work ethic and leadership and be a positive influence for our young team."

The idea in bringing back Garnett, who will be a free agent at season's end, although reports already indicate Minnesota's interest in signing the 38-year- old to an extension, is that he will mentor the Timberwolves young core. Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett, Ricky Rubio, Shabazz Muhammad and Zach LaVine will all benefit from Garnett's presence.

The T-wolves dropped two straight before the break, both at home. Those losses came after a three-game winning streak.

The Suns were among the most-active teams on Thursday's deadline.

Phoenix shipped disgruntled guard Goran Dragic and his brother Zoran to the Miami Heat in exchange for two first-round picks, Danny Granger and John Salmons, who came from the New Orleans Pelicans, who entered this deal. Salmons will be waived.

The Suns weren't done. As part of a huge, three-team deal, they shipped guard Tyler Ennis and center Miles Plumlee to the Milwaukee Bucks and received guard Brandon Knight. The trade also cost them the Los Angeles Lakers' first-round pick this year, which is protected through the top five. That prime selection went to the Philadelphia 76ers, who sent reigning Rookie of the Year, Michael Carter-Williams to the Bucks.

We aren't done yet.

Phoenix then parted ways with guard Isaiah Thomas, sending the guard to the Boston Celtics for guard Marcus Thornton and Cleveland's first-round pick in the 2016 draft, which is top-10 protected.

The Suns are currently tied for the eighth seed in the ultra-competitive Western Conference with the Oklahoma City Thunder. OKC made a slew of deals on Thursday as well, and its trades have been universally praised.

Phoenix limped into the break, losers of two straight and five of its last six. The Suns play three of their first four on the road following the break.

It is unknown if any of the traded parts in Thursday's deals, for either team, will be available on Friday.

The Suns have won both meetings this season and three straight in the series. Phoenix has also taken three in a row in Minnesota.