Tuesday, July 31st, 2007 at 9:45 am  |  64 responses

Kevin Garnett is a Celtic

Almost.

by Marcel Mutoni

The blockbuster deal, for the most part, is completed. Unless something absolutely catastrophic happens in the next 24 to 48 hours, Kevin Garnett will be wearing green and white. The only thing left to determine is which jersey number he’ll wear since his #21 has been retired by the Celtics organization.

The Celtics will send Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Theo Ratliff, Ryan Gomes, Sebastian Telfair, and two first-round picks to the Timberwolves for Garnett, terms both sides have agreed to in principle.

The 5-for-1 trade will be officially complete once issues concerning Garnett’s contract are resolved, but one Celtics official cautioned last night that the deal was not done and would not be complete until today at the earliest, despite reports to the contrary.

Personally, I like the trade for both teams. Sure, the Celtics gave up a little too much in order to acquire KG, but what other choice did they have? With Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce, Boston now has a 2-year window to make serious noise in the East, and they should realistically be able to compete for a title. Danny Ainge, seemingly overnight, realized that the youth movement would have to be put on hold if he expected to remain gainfully employed in Boston.

If the Celtics don’t get to the Eastern Conference Finals in the next two years (at the very least), not only should Ainge be fired, but Kevin Garnett’s career has to be considered somewhat of a letdown.

As for the Wolves, they get a stud in Al Jefferson, Gerald Green (who could become the next Tracy McGrady…or the next Harold Miner; there doesn’t seem to be any in-between with him), Bassy (who will probably get moved again within the next two years), Ratliff’s expiring contract, and two first-round picks.

They weren’t a Playoff squad with Garnett, and not to say that they’re going to compete for a title anytime soon, but the Wolves will be competitive and along with Seattle and Portland, they immediately become one of the more intriguing teams in the Western Conference.

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  • Ryan Jones Posted: Jul.31 at 9:48 am
    Gerald Green will be somewhere in between.

  • data187 Posted: Jul.31 at 9:49 am
    does this mean that brian scalabrine gets to start?
    and 1st ;)

  • H to the izzo Posted: Jul.31 at 9:51 am
    Bassy will probably be playing in Italy before Steph but probably not by choice

  • Antoine Posted: Jul.31 at 9:53 am
    I’d like to see the minnesotans erect a statue for KG and hang McHale on it, unless he can get to Boston on time whre he’d be given the keys to the city.

  • Rubens Posted: Jul.31 at 9:54 am
    Yep… Celtics stick together alright…

  • Cheryl Posted: Jul.31 at 9:54 am
    I like the trade, and will be watching the Celtics when I can. The East is again competitive. Next season should certainly be more enjoyable than last; playoffs as well.

  • Rasheedionics Posted: Jul.31 at 9:58 am
    Does KG know that Olowakandi still on Celtic’s roster? If I was Celtics I wouldn’t tell him either until he’s all signed and ready to play.

  • Sammy Posted: Jul.31 at 10:10 am
    I think they gave up 1 too many players. Ryan Gomes was originally not in the mix. Don’t know why it switched. However they needed to do the trade so that is good. Now the celtics must sign a Veteran PG and some bench guys. A bench of Brian Scalbrine, Rajon Rondo, Tony Allen and 3 rookies does not spell out championship.

  • Gerard Himself Posted: Jul.31 at 10:13 am
    Sammy: Rondo will probably starting, so who’s left on the bench? It will remained to be seen what Tony Allen can do health-wise, so yeah – no bench.

  • Rasheedionics Posted: Jul.31 at 10:18 am
    They will need to sign Brevin Knight or see if Minnesota can throw in either Troy Hudson or Marko Jaric.

  • Slobodan Chutzpah Posted: Jul.31 at 10:20 am
    Yes, the chances of Bassy remaining a T-Wolf for two years are comparable to Lindsay Lohan staying on the wagon for the same period of time.

  • Gerard Himself Posted: Jul.31 at 10:20 am
    Brevin Knight…. good thinking – that’s actually a good idea.

  • Keith Posted: Jul.31 at 10:26 am
    Liking the fact that Timberwolves and the Celtics play each other over here in the UK in October and I have tickets. That’ll be a bit special.

  • SMK Posted: Jul.31 at 10:27 am
    They also need the big three to combine for 220 man-games (out of a possible 240 or so). Ray-Ray and PP missed 25 and 35 games last year respectively. The bench guy they could use most is Delonte West – solid combo guard, can run point on the second unit, make shots when open.

  • Keith Posted: Jul.31 at 10:37 am
    Two things noticed from NBA.com on the rookie shoot – the new Atlanta jerseys are UGLY and no Yi for Milwaukee. Both points upset me.

  • Rasheedionics Posted: Jul.31 at 10:38 am
    Delonte West is in Seattle

  • Tallon Posted: Jul.31 at 10:46 am
    If Gomes is involved in this deal you cant discount his importance. After Al he’d be the next best player they pick up in this deal.

  • Starchild Posted: Jul.31 at 10:49 am
    Even better, this trade upgrades the East by at least one team. If the Nets wanna do the same, they’ll be smart and go get J.O.

  • Ryan Jones Posted: Jul.31 at 10:53 am
    Nice find on the rookie shots, Keith. For a second I thought two random 12-year-olds had snuck into the photo shoot, but then I realized it was Aaron Brooks and Jared Jordan. Those kids do NOT look like NBA players.

  • kbfan Posted: Jul.31 at 10:59 am
    What does he mean by mcgrady and harold miner mcgrady is a franchise player

  • Dblizzy! Posted: Jul.31 at 11:00 am
    how come nobody is talking about Doc Rivers right now. With this drastically new team, shouldn’t they be looking at a coaching upgrade?…. oh yeah, Finger gave that bum an extension! I’m not felling Rondo at point either. I think Brevin Knight would be an excellent and cheap veteran pick up. If he can average double figure assists with the Gerald Wallace and Okafor, imagine what he could do with the new Big 3…

  • Khalid Salaam Posted: Jul.31 at 11:00 am
    I like the trade a lot, esp for Boston. Also the Sixers REALLY suck now.

  • SMK Posted: Jul.31 at 11:07 am
    @Rasheedionics – I know, should have said “Ironically, the guy they could use most but don’t have anymore” or something clearer. Who’s editing these comments anyway.

  • docta j Posted: Jul.31 at 11:21 am
    gerald green = t-mac 2

  • Rasheedionics Posted: Jul.31 at 11:22 am
    Who’s going to be Celtic starting center? Kendrick Perkins I suppose… I remember Perkins of one moment in his career. 2005. Game 6 of Eastern Conference 1st round between Celtics and Pacers. Celtics up by 1 with 12 seconds left. Jamaal Tinsley lays a hard foul on Pierce to stop the clock. Pierce takes exception to a hard foul, shoves Tinsley to the floor, and gets ejected. Reggie Miller sinks the technical free throw to tie the game and Pacers choose Kendrick Perkins to shoot free throws for ejected Pierce. I don’t think Perkins even got off the bench in that series. Anyway, gets to the line with the combination of incredible fear and anxiety on his face. Of course he bricks both free throws. I don’t think he took a single breat while on the free throw line. That right there told me that dude will never make it in NBA. It’s one thing to miss the free throws but it’s another of being scared to have a ball in your hands with the game on the line.

  • Mo Charlo Posted: Jul.31 at 11:23 am
    Nice, Khalid. Also, it should really be no contest for the Celts in the East. The only other team(s) with any sort of big men are the Heat, Pistons and Raptors, but Shaq isn’t what he was, KG normally kills the pistons, and the raptors couldn’t get past the Nets this year, so it should be theirs. Unless, of course, PP gets stabbed again.

  • jbn74sb Posted: Jul.31 at 11:27 am
    Stern made this trade happen to push the ref scandal to the back burner for a bit, and is probably dragging it out over a couple of days for even more press. My two cents…

  • H to the izzo Posted: Jul.31 at 11:28 am
    Bodie:Are you being serious?I can’t tell

  • Liam Finnerty Posted: Jul.31 at 11:37 am
    2 year window? I hope you are unpaid intern with such tosh. Try 4-5 year window.

  • glory Posted: Jul.31 at 11:59 am
    stop dissing bassy he is only 22 yrs. old, and the celtics should have kept either green, or jefferson. Bad trade and the celtics are not going anywhere because garnett has always been overrated. finally the whole world will see what i’ve been saying for 8 years.

  • Noyd Posted: Jul.31 at 12:00 pm
    Why couldnt the Sixers,when they traded AI get young, up and coming players like the Wolves got Jefferson, Green, and Gomes ? I mean Andre Miller is a top 7 PG, but after that, it’s rental players and Derrick Byars. Oh yea, Billy King.

  • Jesus Shuttlesworth Posted: Jul.31 at 12:20 pm
    im really excited about the opportunity to play alongside kg. he is a lynx season ticket holder

  • celtics07-08 Posted: Jul.31 at 12:24 pm
    Next Slam cover should be of the big 3; KG, Pierce and Ray Ray, like the Pheonix one a couple months ago.

  • AJ$ Posted: Jul.31 at 12:32 pm
    I feel bad 4 my Nugs! They have 2 play against Greg Oden Kevin Durant the Twolves & the Jazz

  • Celts Fan Posted: Jul.31 at 12:36 pm
    Rasheedionics. Of course Perkins was terrified to shoot those foul shots. He was young and isn’t an offensive player! Think a bigger, worse Ben Wallace. Wallace would be terrified too because he has a specific role, and scorer isn’t it! That doesn’t mean he can’t make it. If anything, this pick up clarifies that he can focus solely on his strengths and not have to worry about scoring anything but cheap putbacks and dunks…

  • Russ Bengtson Posted: Jul.31 at 12:41 pm
    Hey Chris Bosh, hope you enjoyed your All-Star starting spot last year, because that might be the last time you get one.

  • Ryan Jones Posted: Jul.31 at 12:41 pm
    Gerald Green = T-Mac 1/2

  • jbn74sb Posted: Jul.31 at 12:48 pm
    Gerald Green already has as many playoff series wins as McGrady.

  • The Spin Posted: Jul.31 at 12:51 pm
    How do you blame Ainge for making this kind of move, it’s brilliant! They gave up a lot of “potential”, but every year there’s more potential. I think the Celtics were tired of having a re-building year, nearly every year. This team, if they can stay healthy, will be a powerhouse. I back KG wearing number 12, a little reverse ( and secretly its my favourite number). Check my KG thoughts at http://www.clutch3.com

  • H to the izzo Posted: Jul.31 at 12:56 pm
    The Celtics gave up a lot of potential “potential”

  • Mo Charlo Posted: Jul.31 at 12:59 pm
    AJ$, I think you’re forgetting about the Spurs (who bounced the Nugs this year), Dallas, Phoenix, Golden State, Houston, and, oh hell, screw it, both LA teams. Ryan, do you mean that GG is Tmac and a half (i.e. 50% more than TMac) or half of TMac, (i.e. 50% of TMac)?

  • Mongoose Posted: Jul.31 at 1:13 pm
    It is nice to see a team try to win the championship and not care about going over the salary cap or giving up potential. This could have been Chicago if they had any balls, or Phoenix if they were not cheap.

  • Goat Posted: Jul.31 at 1:24 pm
    Russ,
    Do you really think that Chris Bosh can kiss his starting spot on the All-Star team goodbye? Sure, KG will win the popularity contest for the next few years, but lets keep in mind that the Boshasaurus is about 10 years younger and still hasn’t reached his full potential. I expect to see him dropping more three bombs this year (but hopefully not pulling up for 3′s while on a fastbreak, in the first few minutes of the playoffs).

  • Stephen S. Posted: Jul.31 at 1:37 pm
    Ricky Davis, you once again have the green light to score next season. And you once again will be traded in a package deal immediately afterward…

  • Russ Bengtson Posted: Jul.31 at 1:39 pm
    KG and LeBron will be the Eastern Conference starting forwards for as long as they’re around. And it’s entirely possible that, within the next three years or so, that either someone else gets traded East (Shawn Marion?) or a young guy (Luol Deng?) develops into a no-doubt All-Star talent. I’m not saying it’s carved in stone or anything, but I think there’s a distinct possibility that Chris Bosh is never an All-Star starter again.

  • Slim Posted: Jul.31 at 1:59 pm
    It’s great to see another team step up in the East. Hopefully, they can figure out a way to fill out their roster with some savvy role players. Brevin would be a great pickup.

  • Struan Smith Posted: Jul.31 at 2:07 pm
    Boston just needs to bring back ‘Toine now

  • Slim Posted: Jul.31 at 2:07 pm
    Does this remind anyone else of the 98-99 Rockets? Wonder how the chemistry will work between these three all stars.

  • Shiz Posted: Jul.31 at 2:16 pm
    bout as well as it did wit Chuck and Pip an nem.

  • Shiz Posted: Jul.31 at 2:16 pm
    which is to say, not very good.

  • Mo Charlo Posted: Jul.31 at 2:30 pm
    Shiz, these guys aren’t abrasive personalities like Chuck and Pip were. I think they’ll be doing just fine. I know that whenever anyone needs anyone, I say they should pick up flight white. Well, the celts should pick up flight white. Also, Jay Williams is on their D-League team, if they need someone to run the point half-assedly. Although, he is down with the team concept, what with him being a dukie.

  • Ryan Jones Posted: Jul.31 at 2:37 pm
    And again, you can’t compare this Celtics team to any other squad with guys who’ve won rings — because NONE OF THESE GUYS HAVE WON SH*T. That’s not to say it’s guaranteed to work (a subject on which I’ve already ranted), but all of these guys have established themselves as probable HOFers whose motivation is pretty much exclusively focused on a title.

  • Mo Charlo Posted: Jul.31 at 2:48 pm
    Doesn’t KG have a Gold Medal from the ’96 games?

  • Shiz Posted: Jul.31 at 2:49 pm
    personalities aside, are there enuff shots to go around to make these guys effective, much less happy? PP is a known complainer, KG is a passive aggressive complainer, and Sugar Ray may be Jesus, but his D is more Judas than savior…We’ll see how it plays out. I still see a early playoff flame-out. Or maybe its just that anti-celtic bias of mine leaking through

  • Mo Charlo Posted: Jul.31 at 2:50 pm
    Ray Allen one the NYC Championship as part of Lincoln High in He Got Game. We’re the Rail Splitters, and nobody’s f*ckin with us.

  • andrew Posted: Jul.31 at 2:58 pm
    trade is offical now, news conference set for 5:30

  • baller#1 Posted: Jul.31 at 3:00 pm
    gerald green becomoing T-Mac?

  • Mo Charlo Posted: Jul.31 at 3:00 pm
    Ok, while KG doesn’t have a ring, he has won some other things 2000 Gold Medal, MOP of McDonald’s game, NBA MVP, All-Star game MVP:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_garnett#Achievements Also, it says here that you haters at SLAM listed him as the #70 best player of all time. Probably would’ve had him higher, guys. Then again, this article was before he dragged the wolves through the 2004 playoffs.

  • Shiz Posted: Jul.31 at 3:05 pm
    Mo: That was BY FAR the best line of the entire movie…Well, that and when Denzel asks that boriqua for one of them orange julius’… M.I.A. John Wallace, oh…wait, nope, he’s back here in Rochester, doin what he did before he left for syracuse…namely…nuthin..

  • Deez Nuts Posted: Jul.31 at 5:41 pm
    I THINK THE TEAM IS GOING TO BE TOO OLD….KG IS AMAZIANG PIERCE IS PRETTY GOOD AND RAY ALLEN IS A SHOOTER ONLY. IDK LOOKS LIKE A GENERIC PHIONIX TEAM

  • Boing Dynasty Posted: Jul.31 at 9:31 pm
    Bosh is Better than Garnett right now.

  • bennie Posted: Aug.4 at 3:21 am
    Celtics 2007-2008 NBA Champions!!

  • liam Posted: Aug.20 at 6:45 pm
    who cares about the bench? its alot easier to get bench players to fill out a rotation than it is to land a superstar like garnett or two stars to roll with him like ray allen and paul pierce so the hard part is already done for the celtics in terms of putting together the championship puzzle. celtics are gonna be a special team for the next 4 or 5 years.

  • liam Posted: Aug.20 at 6:49 pm
    bosh will never be anywhere near garnett….. these are 3 guys that all been top 10 for mvp (kg won it), have all took teams to conference finals 50+ wins and division titles…. its 3 A+ all-nba superstars that are great allaround players, unselfish fiercely loyal team players that play the right way leave it all out on the floor and love the game, and are all in the same phase of their career hungry as hell for a ring. all 3 had their best years of their career on their most successful teams (that they led)… all 3 are veteran leaders in their prime that are high character guys without ego and complement each other beautifully and fit perfectly together on the court, great passers, elite at their positions, PERFECT FIT!…… chemistry will be perfect with these 3 too…….. that’s 3 superstar GREAT allaround players……… hate to say it but the celtics are gonna dominate! they should easily win at least 2 of the next 5 championships with those 3 superstars.

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