Garnett to the Celtics?
Espn and Fox Sports are reporting that Kevin Garnett to the Celtics is very close to being a completed deal. “Among the players who could be headed to Minnesota are forward Al Jefferson, guard Sebastian Telfair, swingman Gerald Green and center Theo Ratliff, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been completed. The official also said the Timberwolves would get at least one draft choice.” http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/7075382
This is a very interesting trade when you look at it from both perspectives. From the Timberwolves perspective they get much younger and get some players with some serious promise. Al Jefferson showed last season that he will be a great player in the league and by averaging 16 points and 11 rebounds in 34 minutes a game. Gerald Green is still very young and has a lot of upside. Telfair has his issues and may not even play a minute in Minnesota after going through his legal troubles this offseason again. Theo Ratliff provides a giant cap relief at the end of the season of nearly 12 million dollars and that’s big for Minnesota. By getting a draft choice back they will clearly continue to rebuild with a decent pick, especially if the pick they get back is the pick they gave to Boston last season.
For Boston, they just got very good very quickly. They now have acquired Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett this offseason and when you add Paul Pierce into the mix you have one of the top 3somes in the league. I love the deal for Boston who wants to win now. Garnett gives them a strong presence who simply can’t get doubleteamed anymore. What team will double down on Garnett and open up shots for Pierce and Allen? Garnett will arguably have his best season in Boston and give that city hope again. Where the Celtics have giant question marks are at Center and Point Guard. Rajon Rondo will be counted on along with Delonte West to run the point. West primarily played there last season and did decent but wasn’t great. He is a better shooter than Rondo but Rondo would challenge for the league lead in steals if he were to play that position 30 minutes each night.
Both teams would be getting what they want. The Wolves will rebuild while the Celtics gamble to get good now. I think the Celtics will look for a defensive Center and go from there. I think the Wolves will let the kids play and bring a very exciting brand of basketball back to Minnesota, just like when Marbury and Garnett were youngsters there.
August 4th, 2007 at 3:46 am
I was looking at the celtics site and noticed that Garnett and Allen both changed there numbers. Garnett is my favorite number 5 which is gonna be a sick jersey. But anyways that got me thinking what is gonna happen when they run out of uniform numbers to wear…the celtics are getting there haha. Are they gonna make numbers in the 100′s?
August 6th, 2007 at 10:29 am
Yes, I think the Celtics will soon be like spring training in baseball. You’ll go to training camp and see guys wearing #93. But since they traded half of their roster to Minnesota they’ll need to bring some guys in. I think they’ll be pretty tough as long as they don’t get hurt. I expect them to start to look for a center in case Perkins just doesn’t cut it. I believe Ainge thinks that Perkins will be as good as Jefferson was last season but I don’t see it. Gerald Green is the sleeper of that whole deal.