Celtics complete deal for Garnett
Jeff Goodman
FOXSports.com, Updated 42 minutes ago
BOSTON - Kevin Garnett is coming to Boston — and he's going to stay for a while.
According to Celtics spokesman Jeff Twiss, the 10-time NBA All-Star will likely be introduced at a news conference at 5:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
According to multiple sources close to situation, Minnesota will send Garnett to Boston for five players and a pair of first-round draft picks. Al Jefferson is the centerpiece of the deal for Timberwolves Vice President of Basketball Operations Kevin McHale, who will also get Theo Ratliff and his expiring contract, Gerald Green, Ryan Gomes, Sebastian Telfair and a pair of 2009 first-round picks.
The Celtics' draft pick will be top-three protected and the other pick will be the one Minnesota originally dealt to Boston in the trade that sent Ricky Davis to the T'Wolves for Wally Szczerbiak.
According to sources, Garnett will also sign a three-year extension with the Celtics. He has two years left on his current deal.
Garnett, the league's MVP in 2004, had the option to opt out of his contract — which pays $22 million next season — after the 2008 campaign and become a free agent.
McHale tried feverishly to obtain Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo in the deal. However, Celtics boss Danny Ainge held out from trading Rondo — who will likely be the team's starting floor leader this season.
Ainge tried unsuccessfully to acquire the 31-year-old Garnett prior to the NBA Draft, but was able to land Ray Allen from Seattle for the No. 5 overall pick, Delonte West and Szczerbiak on the night of the draft.
Garnett didn't have any interest in heading to Boston prior to the draft, but now with Pierce and Allen in the fold, he had a change of heart. Garnett averaged 22.4 points and 12.8 rebounds per game last season -- his 12th in the NBA.
The primary factor with the deal was Garnett agreeing to the multi-year deal to remain in Boston -- and figuring out the specifics regarding the 15 percent or $6.75 million trade kicker in Garnett's contract.
The trade gives Ainge and the Celtics, who finished 24-58 last season, a team that could compete with anyone in the Eastern Conference. The 29-year-old Pierce missed 35 games a year ago due to injuries. With the trio of Pierce, Garnett and Allen, Boston would also have nearly $55 million in salaries between the three players for next season alone.
"There's no question that the Celtics could win the East," said one high-ranking NBA executive. "But they've got a lot of money tied up in those three players going forward."
The T'Wolves will get one of the league's top young players in the 22-year-old Jefferson, who averaged 16 points and 11 boards in 69 games a year ago. They would also get Ratliff's $11.7 million salary, which will come off the books after this season, and a big-time athlete in Green who has shown glimpses of potential.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/7078764
Wow. I can't believe they actually got KG to agree to this. I'm glad to know they made signing him to an extension a condition of the deal. If they gave up Al for a guy who could opt out after next year, I'd be PISSED.
Interesting that the other guy Minny wanted was Rondo. I was thinking giving up Al ANd Ryan Gomes was a blow, but apparently Ainge thinks Rondo is the real deal. ANd apparently, so does McHale.
Why wouldn't KG want to agree to it? He gets to play with Allen and Pierce and have a much better shot at winning a le. (Though they still won't win)
Rondo put up great stats last year for the amount of minutes he got, imo I think he is going to be a damn good point guard.
As far as Jefferson, maybe he turns out to be as good as a Elton Brand, but even now with how good Brand is now, would you trade him for KG?
KG is going to look wierd in green
Garnett To Wear #5 For Boston?
July 31, 2007 - 2:54 pm
Christopher Reina/RealGM -
With Kevin Garnett heading to Boston, his days of wearing number 21 are over.
The Celtics retired 21 back in 1966 to honor Hall of Famer Bill Sharman.
Jeff Twiss of the Celtics has informed RealGM that it appears Garnett will wear number 5.
Paul Pierce and Ray Allen will be attending Tuesday's press conference, along with Garnett, Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers.
http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ar...#5_for_boston/
i feel bad for kg, cause all these years he's always had a legit excuse for not doing in the playoffs, now he has no excuse for why he is still gonna be a failure, cause he has 2 all stars and he's in the east.......... so now i wonder what the new excuses will be when kg is still sitting at home in june
Their bench wasn't deep enough, because they resemble the '96 Rockets?
Garnett Says He Hopes To Add To Celtics Legacy
July 31, 2007 - 3:27 pm
RealGM Staff Report -
The Boston Celtics announced today that they have acquired 10-time All-Star and 2004 MVP Kevin Garnett from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Al Jefferson, Theo Ratliff, Sebastian Telfair, a 2009 first round draft pick (top three protected) and a return of Minnesota’s conditional first round draft pick previously obtained in the Ricky Davis-Wally Szczerbiak trade. Minnesota also receives cash considerations in the deal.
“Kevin Garnett is a great player in our league, with a fierce and compe ive spirit, who brings offensive scoring prowess and a defensive presence to our team,” Executive Director of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge said. “The players we’re trading to Minnesota have bright futures in the NBA and we wish them well.”
The 12-year pro is one of just five players in NBA history to amass at least 19,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 4,000 assists joining Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone and Charles Barkley. The 6’11” 253lb forward led the NBA in rebounding for the fourth consecutive season this past year and is just the fourth player in NBA history to do so. He joins Chamberlain, Moses Malone and Dennis Rodman as the only players to accomplish that feat. Garnett has been named to the All-NBA First Team three times (2000, 2003, 2004), the All-NBA Second Team three times (2001, 2002, 2005) and the All-NBA Third Team twice (1999, 2007). Garnett has also been named to the All-NBA Defensive First and Second Teams eight times. His NBA efficiency score of 29.2 was the highest rated of all NBA players in the 2006-2007 season.
“While it’s difficult to part ways with the young players we’ve worked hard to develop, Kevin has been the consummate professional player in the NBA and a player who I have marveled at over the years,” Celtics Head Coach Doc Rivers said. “Kevin leaves everything he has out on the floor every game. He has drive, passion and a hunger to win that is unmatched across the league.”
“I am excited to become a Celtic,” Garnett said. “It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to play with players the quality of Paul (Pierce) and Ray (Allen). The Celtics have had a proud tradition and now I hope that we can add to the legacy.”
"As owners we are delighted to have a core of three All Star talents to anchor our team,” co-owner Wyc Grousbeck remarked. "Speaking for my partners, while we will miss the valuable players we have traded, we have assembled a group of veteran players who demonstrate Celtic Pride on the court and in the community and who will work hard to deliver a championship contender to the fans of New England.”
http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ar...eltics_legacy/
I had thought the Ray Allen deal was a bad one but if it wasn't for that deal I'm not so sure KG would be so open to coming to Boston. So in the end it was a good move.
A le or an NBA Final?
I think I found my new favorite east team. They should be very exciting to watch (do they still have Delonte?)
Nope. They dealt him in the Ray Allen deal.
One of them will go down soon due to injury, betting Pierce.
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