KG to CELTICS for Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, & Theo Ratliff!

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

NBA Market Watch: KG to Boston
   
by: Eric Weiss
July 30, 2007

Multiple sources close to the situation told DraftExpress Sunday that the Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves have come to terms on a trade exchanging Kevin Garnett for a package including Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, and Theo Ratliff. The exact details of the trade aren’t known at this point, but it is believed that the deal will be completed shortly with similar parameters.

This deal has been rumored for most of the summer, but according to sources with direct knowledge of the situation, the main hold up had been the negotiation of a contract extension for Garnett. According to this source, Garnett’s camp is asking for a 5 year extension worth 125 million dollars. Whether or not the two parties have altered the initial proposal or agreed to it is not known, but apparently some accord has been reached. Garnett has an opt-clause in his contract for next season that he has essentially been using as leverage to get traded and secure his financial future with the team that acquires his services.

It had been widely assumed that the initial deal between the clubs had fallen through when Garnett’s agent publicized that his client was not interested in going to Boston. But circumstances seem to have progressed since that stage, to the point where one prominent player on the Celtics responded to inquiry by stating the team was “winning the Eastern Conference” next season, after having learned of Garnett’s imminent arrival.

This move signifies a major power shift in the Eastern Conference. Garnett joins veterans Paul Pierce and Ray Allen to form arguably the best trio in the NBA. The team now has three potential Hall of Fame players in their prime to contend in a conference that is wide open. Each player is over 30 years of age, but should remain effective for the life of their deals.

Executive Director of Basketball Operations chief Danny Ainge has mortgaged a sizable portion of the team’s long-term future to secure a title contending team however. Jefferson was recently selected by USA Basketball as one of the rising stars in the league and is only 22 years of age. The team will have to rely on their faith in the All Star veterans’ abilities to maintain a high level of performance deep into their 30’s. If KG, Pierce, and Allen can duplicate the career longevity of Karl Malone, Scottie Pippen, and Reggie Miller for example, the Celtics will have a larger window to work with.

Ainge has been highly scrutinized for his apparent lack of organizational direction these past few years, but his patience looks to have paid off. His commitment to acquiring young assets and parlaying them into more established stars has come to fruition. The team is scheduled to hold training camp overseas this season, so the timing was flawless for a move that is sure to re-invigorate the sizable international fan base. The team is sure to enjoy a sizable increase in national media attention as well. The team didn’t have a single network game scheduled last season. That should change this year.



LOOKS LIKE IT'S OFFICIAL!

[7even]

Loving that trade, hope it happens.

[Sanford - V. President of the Dangerous Crew Movement]

come to oakland. 

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

DAMN...I think the Celtics giving up their core might have been a little too much, but this makes them instant contenders in the east. And the Wolves got a nice deal, but I still think the Odom+Bynum+Crittenton package woulda been better off for them...This is how both teams will look:

Minnesota Timberwolves:
PG Randy Foye...Troy Hudson/Sebastian Telfair
SG Gerald Green...Rashad McCants/Marko Jaric
SF Ricky Davis...Corey Brewer/Trenton Hassell
PF Al Jefferson...Juwan Howard/Craig Smith
C Mark Blount...Theo Ratliff/Mark Madsen

Not bad...definitely a team for the future.

Boston Cetlics:
PG Rajon Rondo...Gabe Pruitt
SG Ray Allen...Tony Allen
SF Paul Pierce...Ryan Gomes/Brandon Wallace
PF Kevin Garnett...Leon Powe/Glen Davis
C Kendrick Perkins...Brian Scalabrine/Michael Olowokandi

Instant contenders in the east...Still can use some minor help in the point guard and center depatments though...PeACe

[Sparegeez]

aww this is bullshit.

[wcsoldier]

Well , McHale helps his old team and has some nice prospects in return .. both team won from this trade .. the Celtics easily become contenders for the upcoming 2; 3 years in the East .. I like this trade from Boston perspective.. fuck "potential"

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

^^^It's not about potential, Al Jefferson is already a beast, and Gerald Green is a very nice young shooting guard prospect...Other than Pierce, Allen, and KG, look how empty Bostons roster looks now in comparison to Minnesotas...

[Teddy Roosevelt]

According to this source, Garnett’s camp is asking for a 5 year extension worth 125 million dollars.

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

^^Not bad...In that case, at least Boston will know Garnett wont opt out after 1 year...

[jeromechickenbone]

I think the Celts should have held on to Jefferson.  He's legit.  But yeah this makes them instant contenders in the East. 

And Gerald Green is a freak, but he should have went to  college.  But he has superstar potential.

But I'm glad KG got out of Minny and somewhere in the East.  If Ray Allen stays healthy they will be tough.

[PLANT]

Boston's bench sucks bigtime, and they ARE really weak @ the PG spot.  Looks like PP, Ray Allen and KG will be scoring 99% of the points on this team, wich is expected I guess.  Outside of those 3 guys, Boston looks REAL weak tho.  I wonder if they woulda been better off sticking with Al Jefferson and still being able to play Gerald Green and Theo Ratliff.  I think the lineup looks abit better with Green and Ratliff coming off the bench.

[Teddy Roosevelt]

^^Not bad...In that case, at least Boston will know Garnett wont opt out after 1 year...

25 million a year?! Come on. Kobe didn't even get that much a year when he resigned with the Lakes. And he was in his 20's and still getting better. KG is 31 and past his prime (though he still has some good years ahead of him).

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

^^Not bad...In that case, at least Boston will know Garnett wont opt out after 1 year...

25 million a year?! Come on. Kobe didn't even get that much a year when he resigned with the Lakes. And he was in his 20's and still getting better. KG is 31 and past his prime (though he still has some good years ahead of him).

Garnett has 5 all-star years in him left...Shaq, when he was older than KG and WAY MORE out of shape, held the Lakers hostage for a $30 mill/per year contract... and you know what came after that. Also, considering what Rashard Lewis is getting, do you really think it's that bad for KG?

[rik]

eh

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

"Ainge... to McHale"


It's a done deal.