Kevin Garnett Deal Looks Imminent

by T, TheAngryT

The deal that seemed like it would never get done may finally be completed. According to HoopsHype.com, as well as several other news outlets, the Boston Celtics and the Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed to a deal to send Kevin Garnett to Celtics in exchange for Sebastian Telfair, Al Jefferson, Gerald Green and Theo Ratliff.

Garnett makes Boston an instant contender in the East, where good big men are few and far between. In all likelihood, Garnett will be matched up with the likes of Nazr Mohammed, Rasheed Wallace, Anderson Varejao, Udonis Haslem and either Ben Wallace or Joakhim Noah come playoff time. Ray Allen and Paul Pierce should take away the double-teams that Garnett had become accustom to playing with the likes of Randy Foye, Marc Blount, Craig Smith and Ricky Davis in Minnesota. As frightening as Rajon Rondo at the point and Kendrick Perkins at center is going to be, the triumvirate should be more than capable of picking up the slack. Boston's bench will also leave a bit to be desired after this trade as Ryan Gomes and Tony Allen will be key guys.

Boston definitely mortgaged the future with this trade, although I am not too sure their future was all that bright anyway. It could have been possible that Pierce, Allen and Jefferson would have made some noise a year or two from now, but a championship contender they were not. Of course, it also remains to be seen whether this new group can play together well enough to reach that level.

As for Minnesota, they get two young talented scorers, and one young, very troubled young man who may be in jail after his day in court. They weren't going to win anytime soon either, but at the very least they freed up some cap, brought in some young talent and will have an opportunity to go forward without the constant KG trade discussions.

Overall, I think the deal made sense for both sides. The Celtics become a contender in the East and the Timberwolves get younger, create cap space (KG is looking for a 5-year, 125 million dollar extension) and now have a hookup for some blow if that becomes necessary.