<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Some NBA sources insist the Bulls' offer to acquire perennial All-Star Kevin Garnett from the Minnesota Timberwolves last summer was more attractive than what the Celtics offered. The Bulls offered Ben Gordon, Tyrus Thomas and the ninth pick in the 2007 draft, which turned out to be Joakim Noah, one source confirmed Wednesday. There was concern on the part of the Bulls as to whether the organization could get Garnett to agree to a long-term deal. Other Bulls would have had to be included to make a contract work under the salary cap. Garnett signed a three-year extension with the Celtics, who also acquired star guard Ray Allen to make the decision more attractive for Garnett. Garnett was traded to the Celtics on July 31 in exchange for Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Sebastian Telfair, Gerald Green, Theo Ratliff and cash considerations, Boston's 2009 first-round draft pick (top three protected) and the 2009 first-round pick Minnesota had traded to Boston in the Ricky Davis-Wally Szczerbiak trade of 2006. The seven-for-one trade is the largest number of players exchanged for a single player in NBA history. Garnett signed a three-year, $60 million contract extension that will start when his current contract expires in two years. Hindsight can be 20-20, or 20-10 when it comes to the approximate scoring and rebounding averages (19.2, 9.9) Garnett is averaging for the Celtics this season.</div> Source: Chicago Tribune
I'm really curious, how did Garnett sign an extension with the Celtics if he had only been there for 1 year?? Especially noting the Celtics are definitely above the cap. I thought there was something that a player had to be on a team for 3 years to re-sign with a team over the cap. Or are there different rules for extensions?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Lavalamp @ Jan 31 2008, 02:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I'm really curious, how did Garnett sign an extension with the Celtics if he had only been there for 1 year?? Especially noting the Celtics are definitely above the cap. I thought there was something that a player had to be on a team for 3 years to re-sign with a team over the cap. Or are there different rules for extensions?</div> It is an extension to his current contract which has nothing to do with the length of time on the Celtics.
How is Ben Gordon and Tyrus Thomas more than Al Jefferson, especially when you have Foye and McCants on the roster?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cpawfan @ Jan 31 2008, 03:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>How is Ben Gordon and Tyrus Thomas more than Al Jefferson, especially when you have Foye and McCants on the roster?</div> Basically what I was thinking.
It's the equivalent of three lottery picks: a #2, a #3, and a #9. The picks were made. Gordon is a near home run pick. Noah could be putting up numbers like Tyson Chandler by next season (thanks Such Sweet Thunder, for that observation). Thomas is a potential pick, if he pans out it's another home run. Jefferson is terrific (home run), but the rest of the guys they got aren't very good or don't have much upside. Minny got a player to call its cornerstone. I don't suggest the Bulls offer would give them that player, but it would have given them two quality starters immediately.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Denny Crane @ Jan 31 2008, 02:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>It's the equivalent of three lottery picks: a #2, a #3, and a #9. The picks were made. Gordon is a near home run pick. Noah could be putting up numbers like Tyson Chandler by next season (thanks Such Sweet Thunder, for that observation). Thomas is a potential pick, if he pans out it's another home run. Jefferson is terrific (home run), but the rest of the guys they got aren't very good or don't have much upside. Minny got a player to call its cornerstone. I don't suggest the Bulls offer would give them that player, but it would have given them two quality starters immediately.</div> Gordon isn't significantly better than Foye and would have created just an awful backcourt if both players were starting. Who is the supposed second starter? Neither Thomas nor Noah are ready to be an NBA starter.
I would honestly say the Celts deal was better. Al Jefferson is a legit franchise player. He's a big man who can score in the post and rebound and I think is going to be one of the top bigs in the NBA for years to come. I also think Gerald Green is still a great prospect. He's got a ton of athletic ability, he's a great shooter and he's got a ton of quickness. The only issue I see with him is he's a bit of a tweener for his height. In the end though, Jefferson alone made the Celts deal better I think.
