ESPN.com's Marc Stein, FOXSports.com, HoopsWorld.com and sports radio station WEEI are all reporting that Kevin Garnett will be traded to Boston within the next 48 hours. This couldn't be better for both the Wolves and Celtics, teams going in different directions.
These rumors are rumored to be the real deal. Not like before, when a trade between Boston and Minnesota was finalized prior to the draft and KG decided that Boston wasn't enough of a contender to make him want to move out East. The Celtics promptly moved on and traded for Ray Allen. So, with Allen and Peirce now wearing Clovers, Garnett has apparently been more optimistic about the Celtics returning to perennial playoff dominance and therefore his stance on playing there.
Minnesota will reportedly send KG to play in a starting line-up that includes all-stars Paul Peirce and Ray Allen. Boston will then fill the point with Rajon Rondo, the center with Kendrick Perkins or Brian Scalabrine and Tony Allen will be first off the bench. A team with the trio of KG in the post, Allen dropping threes from the perimeter and Peirce taking fools off the dribble -- Boston could pull one of the biggest turn-a-rounds in NBA history.
After Boston traded away the potential to draft young talent in order to acquire Ray Allen, it proved that the Celtics are ready to win now and don't want to wait for young players to develop. The Timberwolves, however, are a young franchise and have the patience to wait. The Wolves are rebuilding and Boston is going to feed them with sensational building blocks.
In order to land KG, Boston must give up a chunk of money along with maturating potential talent. Because Garnett's contract is so large, the Celtics undoubtedly need to send Theo Ratliff and Sebastian Telfair -- who both have big contracts that will be off the books next summer. Wolves fans also need to get some players worthy of going to the Target Center to see, even though the T'Wolves "Dunk Team" should be reason enough to go (I'm a member). Last year's Slam Dunk Champ Gerald Green and 22 year old center Al Jefferson are rumored to fill out the rest of the trade which will put fans in the stands and quickly make the Timberwolves an early favorite for NBA Champion 2010.
One reason why the Timberwolves love this trade is because once next season is over they will be able to rid themselves of up to $20 million dollars in cap space. Minnesota could use some of that money to become a big contender for a player like Emeka Okafor. Some of that money might be used up re-signing players like Rashad McCants and potentially Al Jefferson.
On top of that, without a solid veteran leading the young pack of T'Puppies, they could also end up having a top 10 pick. If they were able to land in the top 5 they could draft Georgetown big man Roy Hibbert. A team consisting of Randy Foye, Corey Brewer, Gerald Green, Rashad McCants, Craig Smith, Al Jefferson and a top 10 pick in next year's draft will give the Wolves franchise has a future worth looking forward to.
The Wolves will have 3 or possibly 4 first round picks next year. #'s around 3, 14, 17, and 29. Also an early 2nd round pick # 34. That could be Brandon Jennings or Hasheem Thabeet (top 5), Demar DeRozan (top 15), Darren Collison (top 20), and Greg Monroe (first round). Early second round France star, Nando De Colo. That is a lot of talent to trade or work with. We could use some serious talent. The future is bright for the young Wolves.
ReplyDeleteAs a side note... When Von Wafer gets the minutes he fills it up. We should just sign him.
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