Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
The Celtics won’t consider moving Garnett to the Clippers for any other combination of players, and won’t revisit the talks unless Bledsoe and Jordan are in the package, sources said.
Boston hasn’t approached Garnett to waive his no-trade clause without an agreement in place, but there’s strong belief he would ultimately agree to it. What’s more, Boston could simply trade Paul Pierce and leave Garnett with even less desire to finish his career with a young, rebuilding roster.
Yahoo – NBA trade deadline buzz
A very interesting way to start our pre-trade deadline morning out to say the least. It has been reported to the gills that if the Celtics found a trade which would involve Kevin Garnett, that he would utilize his no trade clause in order to remain in Boston. Garnett is a very loyal person to an organization and if Celtics fans remember the Celtics original pursuit of Garnett, he was very strong headed in not wanting to be traded from his original team. But it is that last line that throws a real wrench into things.
Would Kevin Garnett ultimately agree to a deal if talked into it? Or, this just a way for Woj to keep people reading his trade deadline rumor section awaiting a big deal that may never come. The only team that makes sense for Garnett to agree going to would be Los Angeles given the proximity to his home, but with the Clippers reluctant to give up both Jordan and Bledsoe and ownership clearly not wanting to make that deal, I see no way this trade happens.
That last line opens up a whole different discussion as well. If Garnett, who has openly admitted to “bleeding green” would be open to a trade and play elsewhere the remainder of this season, what does that say about his future intentions? With his cryptic message about his “final” All-Star game, and that “you don’t know what I know” when asked about that statement; is this Kevin Garnett telling us that he is going to hang it up after this season?
I’d hate to see Garnett leave, but if the Celtics know something that they aren’t letting on to, in regards to Garnett’s future (or even Pierce’s future for that matter, as one without the other constitutes a blow-up) then getting two young good players for a retiring Garnett is a steal, rather than letting him retire and getting nothing but cap space at the end of the year (with a shrinking salary cap and the soft cap/hard cap structure its almost useless). If the Celtics can get a commitment from both Garnett and Pierce to stick around for another season, keep the team together and make a push this year, otherwise it may be time to pull the trigger.
Danny Ainge spent much of yesterday downplaying the possibility of a trade, but the Herald’s Mark Murphy has a source that disagrees:
They’ll be stunned if the Celts don’t make a deal of some sort.
“They’re too active,” said one. “They’ve been putting a lot of different things out there, and you’d have to think at least one of them is going to come through.”
In other news, if asked which NBA players one would think is most likely to participate in Yoga as a calming exercise , we all would totally peg Kevin Garnett at the top of that list right? You know the guy that would bite the head off an infant if it was defending him, uses language not suitable for biker bars, and would taunt his own mother if he blocked her shot? Ya that guy…Certainly catches you off guard but VERY cool to see the transformation between on court Garnett and real world Garnett.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzJPbpFXvLo]The rest of the links:
ESPN Boston – Doc: Didn’t play team offense | CSNNE – Adjustments Doom Celtics | Ainge ‘unlikely’ anything will get done | Globe – Celtics lose at Denver | Newly acquired Williams awaiting word | Jared Sullinger makes first public comments after back surgery | Herald – Rough night for Paul Pierce | Celtics find the road rocky | Celtics active, but Ainge downplaying changes of a deal
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