<font face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="2"><font color="Green">Jeff Goodman</font>:</font></font> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="6" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td class="alt2" style="border: 1px inset "><font face="Tahoma"><font size="2">The on-again, off-again deal with the Boston Celtics acquiring Kevin Garnett apparently is back on. According to sources, the current deal on the table has the 6-foot-11 Garnett heading to Boston and the Celtics dealing away Al Jefferson, Theo Ratliff's hefty expiring contract and Rajon Rondo. There may also be other players and draft picks involved. It's not quite done, but three industry sources — including one close to the Celtics — told FOXSports.com that it's extremely close and could become official within the next 48 hours. "It's basically done," one source said. "If it does happen, this will make the Celtics relevant again.</font></font></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <font face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="2"> <font color="Green">Mark Stein</font>: </font></font> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="6" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td class="alt2" style="border: 1px inset "><font face="Tahoma"><font size="2">The Minnesota Timberwolves and Boston Celtics, who nearly completed a blockbuster Kevin Garnett trade before the June draft, have resurrected those trade talks and are again in serious discussions, according to NBA front-office sources. Sources told ESPN.com on Sunday night that former teammates Kevin McHale and Danny Ainge have revived a deal that would end Garnett's 12-season association with Minnesota by sending him to Ainge's Celtics, with the Wolves getting back two of the assets McHale coveted most last month: Al Jefferson and Theo Ratliff's expiring contract. The deal, however, depends on Garnett softening his stance on playing in Boston, with sources indicating late Sunday that Garnett could be warming to the idea. It's believed that the latest incarnation of the deal would require Boston to package Gerald Green and Sebastian Telfair with Jefferson and Ratliff in exchange for Garnett. It's also likely that other players and/or draft picks would be added to the package if the deal gets Garnett's signoff.</font></font> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <font face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="2"><font color="Green">Eric Weiss</font></font></font>: <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="6" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td class="alt2" style="border: 1px inset "><font face="Tahoma"><font size="2"> 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.</font></font> </td> </tr> </tbody></table>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticKing)</div><div class='quotemain'>Favorites to win it all no doubt.</div>Even if this trade goes down, their chances are still slim to none. Perhaps the following season, but not this season.</p>
Add Garnett to Pierce and Shuttlesworth and you got yourself a contender....They wouldnt be the favs to win it all(lets not be silly now), but they would be highly regarded....</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Premier)</div><div class='quotemain'> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticKing)</div><div class='quotemain'>Favorites to win it all no doubt.</div>Even if this trade goes down, their chances are still slim to none. Perhaps the following season, but not this season.</p> </div></p> Why do you think so? Because of Doc? Weak bench? Or they need to comfortable with each other first and then talk about the favorites.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (TheBeef)</div><div class='quotemain'> Add Garnett to Pierce and Shuttlesworth and you got yourself a contender....They wouldnt be the favs to win it all(lets not be silly now), but they would be highly regarded....</p> </div></p> Meant to say one of the favorites. Together with the spurs, pistons, suns, etc. (only a couple teams)</p>
My god if this goes through thats one hell of a Big 3. Rondo/Allen/Pierce/KG/Perkins. I definitely think that team wins the division and AT LEAST makes it to the eastern conference finals.
I don't like this deal mainly because of the lack of depth they'd have around the three (I may be wrong, depending on what they actually would ship out)... and I also don't like this deal because I'm a Philly fan.
I like what Ainge is doing, but I fear there's just not enough ammo to get the job done. Celtics seem weaker at the PG and SF positions, lack depth, and team defense.</p> I'd say they'd do well to play hard this year and try to win, but next year they'll have some maneuverability to add some extra pieces.</p> Bottom line is the Nets have a big 3 that are arguably as good, but they play better D and certainly have more depth.</p> </p>
Does Boston have any cap room? Or any Exceptions such as MLE/LLE?</p> What would their roster look like if they were to acquire Garnett for Ratliff, Jefferson, Green and Bassy..</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Theo)</div><div class='quotemain'> Does Boston have any cap room? Or any Exceptions such as MLE/LLE?</p> What would their roster look like if they were to acquire Garnett for Ratliff, Jefferson, Green and Bassy.. </p> </div></p> I'm pretty sure they have no cap room, and still have their MLE and LLE for this year... as for the second question, I'm sure some C's fans would be better off answering that. I'd also like to get an idea of what their rotation would be after this deal...</p>
Might as well give them the ring if that happens. KG doesn't seem to be declining much nor is pierce and allen. In the east with that trio you easily win 65+ games if healthy.
Looking at the roster, here is what I see off the bench.</p> Wing: Tony Allen Forwards: Gomes, Powe, Veal, Brandon Wallace PG: Pruitt Center: Big Baby </p> They definitely need to use the MLE to improve the depth at Center and PG.</p>
There are plenty of cheap FA swingmen and PF/C types that could fill in the gap for them, but not a lot on the table as far as FA point guards go.</p> </p> This seems like a rumor with a lot of legs though, I wouldnt be surprised if it gets done. And I won't be happy because I think the Celts could go all the way if they can land a PG somewhow. </p>
Paging Mr. Knight, Brevin Knight...</p> If the Celtics get this deal done and they can sign a guy like Brevin Knight I think they win the East. If the freaking Cavs, excuse me, LeBron and those other guys, can win the East the the new Celtics can easily win the east.</p> I really hope this happens, im not a Celtic fan, but the franchise really deserves this type of move and I would love to see the Celtics make a deep run next spring.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Denny Crane)</div><div class='quotemain'> I like what Ainge is doing, but I fear there's just not enough ammo to get the job done. Celtics seem weaker at the PG and SF positions, lack depth, and team defense.</p> I'd say they'd do well to play hard this year and try to win, but next year they'll have some maneuverability to add some extra pieces.</p> Bottom line is the Nets have a big 3 that are arguably as good, but they play better D and certainly have more depth.</p> </div>How do you figure? KG is better than Carter, Jefferson, and Kidd. Pierce is a better player than Carter and Jefferson. Allen is better than Jefferson. </p> With KG inside the Celts will play much better D than last year. They won't be a dominant team on D, but then neither are the Nets. The only proven players coming off the bench would be Tony Allen and Ryan Gomes, but who knows how Allen will recover. That's not saying much for depth, but New Jersey doesn't have a lot of depth either. To me when you're saying NJ has better D and depth you're splitting hairs, because neither team is strong in those areas, but Boston will have the better big 3. </p> Also, they use their MLE on Brevin Knight and they're no longer weak at PG. I don't see how SF is weak. Pierce and Gomeswould be one of the better SF tandems in the league. theirweakest position, assuming they use the MLE on a decent PG, would be Center. Perkins and Big Baby aren't great options. </p>
I would not like this deals. The chemistry might not work well but, it would be cool on paper for a S/L. The lack of depth will destroy the team. However if they could get brevin knight they would be a damn good team. Only weak at the Center pos as Livin Leg stated. Look at the spurs though They are weak at the center posiition as well. The Spurs have very good chemistry tho. Just gotta wait and see.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cpawfan)</div><div class='quotemain'>Looking at the roster, here is what I see off the bench. Wing: Tony Allen Forwards: Gomes, Powe, Veal, Brandon Wallace PG: Pruitt Center: Big Baby</p> They definitely need to use the MLE to improve the depth at Center and PG.</div></p> <span class="main"><span class="spacing">5 Perkins | _____ | Davis 4 Garnett | Gomes | Powe 3 Pierce | _____ | Gomes 2 Allen | _____ 1 _____ | Rondo | Pruitt If this trade is completed, the Celtics would have to acquire three players to fill out the roster: a starting point guard, a defensive wing player, and a backup center. The point guard must be effective without the ball in his hands. He must be able to hit an open perimeter shot. He must be able to play effectively in a half-court offense. Rondo's inability to shoot from the outside and play in a half-court set demotes him to the back-up position. Possible candidates include Charlie Bell, Juan Carlos Navarro [sign and trade], and Luther Head [trade]. A defensive wing player is needed to spell Pierce and Allen. His only requirement is perimeter defense and outside shooting. Possible candidates include Ruben Patterson, Ime Udoka, Dahntay Jones, James Posey, even Matt Barnes. A backup center [or starting center, really] is needed. Basically any veteran that would like to win. It's a shame that Joe Smith signed with Chicago since he is a friend of Garnett. Possible candidates include Chris Webber, PJ Brown, even Brian Skinner.</span></span></p>
