NBA Rumors: Latest Buzz on Possible Blockbuster Trade between Celtics and Nets
The Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets are on the verge of pulling off a blockbuster trade that would send Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry to the borough in exchange for three first-round picks, Kris Humphries, Gerald Wallace, Tornike Shengelia, Reggie Evans and Keith Bogans, as per Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.
On Thursday evening, in the midst of a hectic 2013 NBA draft, ESPN’s Marc Stein reported that not only is this trade still very much alive, but both parties are ready to pull the trigger on it and put a verbal agreement in place.
Baxter Holmes of The Boston Globe found that the C’s and Nets are hoping to reach that agreement, but it’s not expected to happen on Thursday.
Stein corroborated the report, revealing that KG is still unsure of whether or not to waive his no-trade clause—a necessity in order for this deal to happen—and isn’t expected to reach a decision until at least tomorrow morning.
Even if the Big Ticket consents to this transaction soon, the teams will have to wait until July 10—after the moratorium on signings and trades ends—in order for it to become official, as per Stein.
While there is a possibility that Garnett declines to put the nail in the coffin of the Big Three era in Boston, Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald notes that there is a high chance this blockbuster is eventually completed.
Although the writing was on the wall after the New York Knicks eliminated Boston in the first round of the 2013 playoffs, things didn’t get started in earnest until a transaction took place earlier in the week.
Celtics head coach Doc Rivers was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers last week in exchange for a 2015 first-rounder, making it apparent that Boston would not be a serious contender in 2013-14.
General manager Danny Ainge seems to be actively working to dismantle the last vestiges of the roster that won a championship in 2008, with the notable exception of Rajon Rondo.
If he can convince Garnett to waive his NTC and play out his final years in Brooklyn, the C’s can get a real leg up on their rebuilding effort and help the Nets become a championship contender in the Eastern Conference.
