NBA Rumors: Celtics Must Make Offseason Splash to Convince Kevin Garnett to Stay

The Boston Celtics are hoping to retain Kevin Garnett, but the Big Ticket might be waiting a bit to see if it is worth his while to re-sign with the team that he won his only NBA championship with.

According to the Boston Herald’s Steve Bulpett, sources close to the situation believe that KG will be reluctant to return to Beantown if he believes that the franchise does not have a chance to contend in 2012-13.

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“I think he’ll wait to see what’s going to happen,” said the source. “If [GM] Danny [Ainge] can give him a solid answer right away, then maybe he gives them an answer, too. But KG’s going to want to know who he’ll be playing with.”

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The 17-year veteran was a major factor in Boston's run to the Eastern Conference finals, which ended in a heartbreaking Game 7 defeat to the Miami Heat. He still believes that the organization can bring in the pieces to compete for a title in the immediate future.

Boston only has four players under contract for next season and just $34.5 million committed to salary. It will be critical for them to bring back Ray Allen (unrestricted free agent) and Brandon Bass ($4 million player option) during the offseason.

If Allen and KG both decide to take drastically lower salaries than they earned in 2011-12 ($10 million and $21 million, respectively), there will be plenty of money left over to sign impact free agents.

The Celtics' title chances were largely derailed this year by their lack of depth due to injuries and inability to make any major offseason moves after the lockout due to cap restrictions.

Both of those shortcomings can be addressed by splurging in the open market with all of the extra cap space that should be opening up this summer.

If Danny Ainge decides to give Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Allen and KG one more chance with an upgraded supporting cast, it would be a wise decision. Look how far they got despite injuries and lack of bench production.