Who, me?
Posted on 07/31/2007 2:07:31 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd
Superstar forward Kevin Garnett was traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Boston Celtics in a National Basketball Association (NBA) blockbuster deal settled on Tuesday. The Celtics have called an evening news conference to announce the deal, reportedly set to send a host of talent to Minnesota in exchange for making Boston an instant contender for the Eastern Conference crown next season.
The deal brings together 10-time NBA All-Star Garnett with long-time Celtics playmaker Paul Pierce and veteran guard Ray Allen. None of the three have ever been able to claim an NBA championship despite years of success on the court.
Garnett, 31, has career averages of 20.5 points and 11.4 rebounds in 927 NBA games. Allen has a 21.5-point career average. Pierce's is 23.6 points a game.
Minnesota will receive forwards Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes and Gerald Green, center Theo Ratliff, guard Sebastian Telfair as well as two future first-round NBA Draft picks and cash considerations in exchange for Garnett.
"This trade is about improving the Minnesota Timberwolves and improving our team for the future," Timberwolves vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale said.
"The past few seasons our on-court performance has been disappointing to our fans, myself, (owner) Glen Taylor and entire organization.
"Through this trade, we have obtained very talented young players with a lot of potential, future flexibility with the salary cap and two future first-round NBA draft picks."
The Timberwolves will receive Boston's first-round selection in 2009 and a first-round pick that Minnesota traded to the Celtics in a deal last year.
The Celtics were 24-58 last season, the NBA's second-worst record, and have not won a playoff series since 2003.
Garnett, the league Most Valuable Player in 2004, spent his entire 12-year career with Minnesota. He averaged 22.4 points and 12.8 rebounds last season.
Jefferson, 22, averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds last season, his third in the NBA. Green, 21, is a former NBA Slam Dunk champion who averaged 10.4 points last season. Gomes, 24, averaged 12.4 points and 5.6 rebounds last season.
Ratliff, 34, underwent back surgery in January and played in only two games. His 11.7 million-dollar contract expires after next season.
Telfair, a former high school prodigy, averaged 6.1 points but last April was arrested and charged with possession of a handgun and driving with a suspended license in New York.
But that's about it.
Shadow of their former selves bump.
Geez’ do the timberwolves get Bird’s used Jock also? They better win now, because they are going to suck soon giving away that much including two picks.
Wow.
Who knew the Celtics had a "host" of talent???
Where was it during the season?
“...arrested and charged with possession of a handgun and driving with a suspended license in New York”.
That’s all he’s done so far?! This guy really needs to work on his NBA street “creds”.
They might actually make it to the Finals before getting blown out by a Western Conference team. They have three guys who can score 25 a night but after that.....
They will need a few guys to sign below market deals who want to try for a ring.
Who, me?
The guys that they gave away have some upside but the Celts have been trying to rebuild for years. This move and the Allen trade make them relevant again. The fans were tired of losing and I don’t blame them, not with what it costs to go to a game in Boston now.
I think Boston can do more than make the playoffs, as weak as the eastern conference is. But they better do it fast, since Ray Allen’s ankles can’t last much longer.
Doesn’t matter, da Bulls will dominate the East.
McHale had 10 years to build around one of the best players of this generation...and couldn't get it done.
The thought that this is going to return the Celtics to the finals is really far-fetched.
I think Allen will be injured, and Garnett will end up carrying the team like he always does, which usually means one, maybe two rounds of the playoffs.
Pierce, Allen, and Garnett have LOTS of miles on the odometer.
Ray Allen is one of the best shooters in the league. If they can find a banger the Celts are Back!! This was a great set of moves and Ainge deserves major credit for these two gets.
Pray for W and Our Troops
What a stupid trade. Garnett doesn’t just play for the Wolves, he IS the Wolves. God are they going to be horrible this season without him.
One man - Even a superstar - can’t win titles.
Just ask the Cavaliers.
Hey... they were horrible with him last year.
And the year before that.
And the year before that....
When they lost to the Shaq and Kobe Lakers....
Which was the last time the Lakers were good.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.