Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

Kevin Garnett and the Minnesota Timberwolves are in advanced discussions on a contract settlement that is expected to end his second stint with the team, according to league sources.

The belief in Minneapolis, sources told ESPN.com, is that Garnett, at age 40, will opt for retirement after 21 seasons in the NBA.

But the strongest signals Wednesday night pointed to Garnett and his representatives securing a settlement with the Wolves that will lead to his departure from the organization with one season and $8 million left on his current contract.

Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that he hasn’t talked to Garnett “for weeks.”

“I have not talked with him at all,” Taylor told the newspaper. “We have to decide, in the next couple weeks, if he’s going to play or not play. I’m waiting for him. I sent him a message, told him, “I need you to make a decision.’ I just haven’t heard from him.”

ESPN – Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves talking contract settlement

The writing is on the wall — Kevin Garnett looks set to retire from professional basketball after 21 seasons playing with the energy and intensity of one thousand suns.

First of all, it’s vintage Garnett to go out this way. He’s way too intense and locked in during the season to have a farewell tour — smiling and receiving gifts at each stop along the way. He also isn’t the type of guy who can come to terms quickly, like Duncan just weeks after the Spurs’ playoff run ended. It took Garnett plenty of time to come to grips with leaving Minnesota the first time, and he needed Paul Pierce to convince him that it made sense to leave Boston. Paul Pierce– a “Celtic for life” had to persuade Garnett to leave the city with him.

This decision likely ate at Garnett all summer, and he’s likely still wrestling with it. His default move? Withdraw. Even from Taylor and the organization, which is best served by knowing who will be with team as training camp fast approaches.

The eulogy to KG’s basketball career, at first glance, would likely read that he was the last of a dying breed. Cut from the cloth of the old school, Garnett didn’t bring AAU friendships to the court– only seething disdain for anything getting in the way of his teammates and of winning. The truth, though, is that KG is both the first and last of his kind. There was the theory when Garnett got to Boston that he couldn’t win in the playoffs because there was no chance he could channel that level of intensity night after night for 8 months. The dude was wired differently on a basketball court than anyone who has ever played the game. In addition to being a rare talent who carried the Timberwolves franchise, leading it in every meaningful statistical category, Garnett brought a passion for the game that was unmatched and will never be seen again.

There won’t be another KG and we’ll probably never understand just how maniacal and intense a dude he was. He said it best, “this is how I’m built”

Related links: 

CSNNE – If he’s retiring, here’s a look back at Kevin Garnett’s night at the Garden

On page 2, Stevens admires BB

Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens considers himself fortunate to have spent time recently with New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick — even if it leaves him questioning his own coaching abilities in the aftermath.

“You feel pretty inadequate as a coach after you spend time with [Belichick],” said Stevens. “He knows what he’s doing.”

Stevens will be one of the speakers at the third annual Bill Belichick Foundation Hall of Fame Huddle on Friday night at Boston’s Seaport World Trade Center. For Stevens, it’s another opportunity to be around a coach that has guided the Patriots to four Super Bowl titles.

[…]

“I’ve always enjoyed football. I think football’s really interesting [to coach]. It’s really interesting for me to see how people coach the team because, when you start talking about having that many guys around, and you start seeing how it’s organized, you start seeing how the head coach can’t be in every meeting, the head coach can’t be in every drill, he can’t be in every huddle, and you have to have a great deal of trust and delegation in your staff,” said Stevens. “And everybody moves at such an incredible tempo. It’s just a really well-organized machine.

ESPN Boston – Brad Stevens: ‘You feel pretty inadequate’ after time with Bill Belichick”

Bill Belichick has hung around Boston now for 16 years. He’s watched a lot of Boston coaches come and go in that time. You’ve gotta wonder if he thinks this Stevens guy could hang with him here for a bit longer than some of his predecessors.

It’s pretty cool that Belichick has already tapped Stevens to speak, which alludes to a level of mutual respect between the two coaches. Based on Stevens’ media rounds this week, including his hour sit-down with Bill Simmons, it doesn’t appear that Belichick’s media surliness has rubbed off on Stevens just yet.

Related links:

Herald – Brad Stevens huddles up with football brethren  | Mass Live – Brad Stevens teaming up with Bill Belichick for event, explains fascination with football coaching

The Rest of the links:

USA Today – NBA, NBPA sent players memo on supporting social change  |  CSNNE – Wyc Grousbeck: Boston Celtics won’t rest until they’re the best in the NBA