Boston Celtics Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz on Kevin Garnett to L.A. Clippers

The Boston Celtics are still in contention for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, but season-ending injuries to superstar Rajon Rondo and standout rookie Jared Sullinger have forced the C’s front office to start considering a rebuilding effort earlier than expected.

With the Feb. 21 trading deadline just weeks away, contenders are coming out of the woodwork to gauge GM Danny Ainge’s interest level in moving some of his top remaining talent.

According to Sean Deveney of Sporting News, the Los Angeles Clippers are interested in Beantown’s veteran center, Kevin Garnett. However, there are quite a few hoops to jump through before anything gets done.

What looks to be the biggest issue is the no-trade clause in his three-year, $34 million contract, which the Big Ticket would have to waive in order for any deal to come to fruition.

It’s also up to the two front offices to come to terms on an acceptable swap, which seems to be centered on Garnett for budding guard Eric Bledsoe and veteran swingman Caron Butler at this time.

The C’s 37-year-old forward/center is running out of time to contribute at a high level, but would immediately provide vocal leadership and defensive prowess for a Clippers team struggling to find frontcourt consistency.

If Ainge is willing to pull the plug on the Celtics' fast-fading hopes of making noise in the playoffs—and he should, with Rondo sidelined for the foreseeable future—there is no point in keeping a highly paid vet like KG on the roster.

However, fans who are hopeful that something gets done soon may have to wait a while, as ESPN Los Angeles’ Ramona Shelburne is reporting that nothing is going down “right now.”

The Clips are seemingly open to negotiations, but it’s now up to the Celtics brass to decide if they are ready to move on without KG or give it one last run in 2013.