<div>The on-again, off-again deal with the Boston Celtics acquiring Kevin Garnett apparently is back on.</div> 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. </p> "It's basically done," one source said. "If it does happen, this will make the Celtics relevant again."</p> Celtics boss Danny Ainge attempted to trade for the Minnesota Timberwolves star forward prior to the NBA Draft, but the 31-year-old perennial All-Star had no interest in heading to Boston.</p> However, things may have changed now that Ainge and the Celtics pulled off the draft day deal with Seattle for Ray Allen. </p> http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/7073708</p> </p> If this goes down I think we will have to make a major trade. </p>
Celtics would become relevant again no doubt about it. Right now they don't have enough to contend in the East but if they do this deal it's a three team race for the Atlantic, and the Celtics become an East contender.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Real)</div><div class='quotemain'> Celtics would become relevant again no doubt about it. Right now they don't have enough to contend in the East but if they do this deal it's a three team race for the Atlantic, and the Celtics become an East contender.</p></div>You're kidding, right? If the Celtics pull off this trade and fill out their roster, they easily win the Atlantic.
The celtics' options for filling their roster around these three seem limited to me. It's not like they can add a Pietrus or Varajao type of FA. They seem a little too weak at PG and SF, two positions that are normally easy enough to fill.</p> I'd say that the Nets, if healthy, are a better team just due to their depth, but also for their defense.</p> </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Premier)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Real)</div><div class='quotemain'> Celtics would become relevant again no doubt about it. Right now they don't have enough to contend in the East but if they do this deal it's a three team race for the Atlantic, and the Celtics become an East contender.</p> </div>You're kidding, right? If the Celtics pull off this trade and fill out their roster, they easily win the Atlantic. </div> No I'm not kidding. You're underrating established teams like the Raptors and Nets, who are getting key established players back from injuries and have improved their roster without the hoopla.</p> And like Denny said, it's not exactly easy to "fill out" the roster. I think to win in the playoffs you need to have depth around you. I like Gomes, Green, and Tony Allen, but who else would the Celtics have to bring off the bench. And who's going to run the point? </p>
It's believed that the latest incarnation of the deal would require Boston to package <font color="#000000">Gerald Green</font> and <font color="#000000">Sebastian Telfair</font> 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. </p> http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2954127</p> So they might keep Rondo, but they're going to lose Gerald Green.</p>
5 Perkins .... _____ ..... Davis 4 Garnett .... Gomes ... Powe 3 Pierce ....... _____ ..... Gomes 2 Allen ........ _____ ...... Allen 1 ______ ..... Rondo .... Pruitt</p> 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. </p>
Prem, there is no way to S&T Navarro. 1) You can't S&T draft picks and 2) You can't S&T players signed with the MLE or BAE
They couldn't sign and trade for Navarro, but they could trade for his rights then sign him.</p> To do that, they're going to have to take some of the Wizards' cap ballast, though (Etan or Haywood... either of which actually would theoretically fit with what the Celtics need too) but if they deal for KG they won't have the tools to do that.</p> </p> If I were them I'd look at trying to get a guy like Chris Duhon or Earl Watson. Someone who has pretty good PG and defensive skills and won't hog the ball. I gotta say, if this trade goes through every available FA will probably be tripping over themselves to get to Boston. The only PG I can think of that's still out there is Earl Boykins. He's useful, but I'd be trying to get someone in a trade too. But I can't figure out who's left. </p> Depth at other positions would be easier. I'd think they could pick up a host of fairly serviceable guys like Skinner, Marc Jackson, Austin Croshere, Posey, Ruben Patterson, Devin Brown or Ime Udoka.</p> </p> And yeah, give them the season to jell and they look like a legitimate contender to win it all, not just get out of the East to me.</p> </p> </p>
Al Jefferson is not involved in this trade as of now.</p> http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/ce...wists_in_g.html</p> "As the trade currently stands, the Celtics would send Gerald Green, Ryan Gomes, Sebastian Telfair, Theo Ratliff, and two first-round picks to the Timberwolves for Garnett."</p> </p>
<span class="storycontent"><font> Sources this morning are confirming that the Celtics’ deal for Kevin Garnett is essentially completed.</p> One involved source said the final package will have the Celts sending Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, Theo Ratliff and a No. 1 pick to Minnesota to acquire Garnett.</p> Further word is that the Celts and Garnett have reached an agreement in principle on a contract extension. You may recall a report here that Danny Ainge would not do the deal without such a guarantee of Garnett’s presence, and it appears now that the perennial All-Star is willing to forego the opt-out in his current deal for next summer and cast his lot with Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and the Celtics.</p> </p> http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/celtics/?p=117</p></font></span>
