In a trade that should make the Celtics an instant contender for a future NBA crown , the Minnesota Timberwolves sent power-forward Kevin Garnett to Boston in exchange for Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Sebastian Telfair, Gerald Green and Theo Ratlif along with the Celtics No.1 pick in the 2009 NBA Draft (if not a lottery pick) and the first round pick the Timberwolves had sent to Boston in the 2006 Mark Blount trade. Garnett was the longest running tenured player with the same NBA team having played for the Timberwolves his entire career spanning 12 seasons, a total of 927 games.
Prior to today’s trade, Garnett’s name was mentioned in various trade rumors involving the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns.
In Boston, Garnett will join with All-Stars Ray Allen and Paul Pierce , a combination that should make an imposing trio to other NBA competition. Allen became a Celtic on June 28,2007 in a trade with Seattle that sent Allen and Sonics 2nd round draft pick Glen “Big Baby” Davis to the Celtics for Wally Szczerbiak and the No. 5 pick in the NBA Draft Jeff Green.
Reno Goldberg, resident handicapping expert with Point-Spreads.com, said this trade will have a huge impact on the Celtics as a team. “They are back in the game,” a jubilant Goldberg said. “What a brilliant trade this is for the Celtics fans; not having anything to cheer about since the days of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish. My heavens, think about how good the Celtics can be with Pierce, Allen and Garnett. I am blown away with this deal.”
An interesting fact about the deal is the connection between the former Celtic’s greats McHale and Danny Ainge. With Ainge as the Celtics General Manager and McHale, GM of the Timberwolves, the two have once again made the Celtics great. Of course it remains to be seen if the right team chemistry can mix.
Prior to the 2007 NBA Draft, McHale reportedly tried to work out a trade with Ainge that would have sent Garnett to Boston for a draft pick and players. Garnett’s agent told the Timberwolves and Celtics that his client had no interest in playing for Boston, and the potential trade was scuttled.
Last week, Garnett eased his stance on being traded to Boston and allowed the deal to be consummated today.
