Garnett off to Boston in big 7 up deal

BOSTON, Massachusetts: Superstar forward Kevin Garnett was traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Boston Celtics in a National Basketball Association (NBA) blockbuster deal settled on Tuesday.

The Celtics called an evening news conference to announce the deal, reportedly set to send a host of talent to Minnesota in exchange for making Boston an instant contender for the Eastern Conference crown next season.

"I'm happy to be here," Garnett said. "This has probably been the hardest 72 hours since I've been in the NBA. Initially, I had no interest in leaving Minnesota, and I let that be known.

But T-wolves owner Glen Taylor was aiming for a longer-term fix and the benefits such a trade would bring.

"After Glen Taylor let his feelings be known, it was obvious we were going in different directions," Garnett said.

The deal brings together 10-time NBA All-Star Garnett with long-time Celtics playmaker Paul Pierce and veteran guard Ray Allen. None of the three have ever been able to claim an NBA championship despite years of success on the court.

Garnett, 31, has career averages of 20.5 points and 11.4 rebounds in 927 NBA games. Allen has a 21.5-point career average. Pierce's is 23.6 points a game.

"This is a tremendous thing for Kevin, myself and the whole organization," Pierce said. "One thing I can say about (the Celtics ownership) is they are always passionate about this team and organization."

Minnesota will receive forwards Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes and Gerald Green, center Theo Ratliff, guard Sebastian Telfair as well as two future first-round NBA Draft picks and cash considerations in exchange for Garnett.

"Al and Ryan and those guys, you put your heart into those guys, you really do," Boston coach Doc Rivers said.

"I'm an emotional coach and you put your heart into this game. They are all going to be great. I wish them all the luck in the world, except against us."

The Timberwolves will receive Boston's first-round selection in 2009 and a first-round pick that Minnesota traded to the Celtics in a deal last year, making the seven-for-one deal the NBA's biggest for one man.

"This trade is about improving the Minnesota Timberwolves and improving our team for the future," Timberwolves vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale said.

"The past few seasons our on-court performance has been disappointing to our fans, myself, (owner) Glen Taylor and the entire organization.

"Through this trade, we have obtained very talented young players with a lot of potential, future flexibility with the salary cap and two future first-round NBA draft picks."

ESPN reported that Garnett signed a three-year contract extension with the Celtics worth 51 million dollars that eliminated his right to terminate his existing contract and become a free agent after next season.

The Celtics were 24-58 last season, the NBA's second-worst record, and have not won a playoff series since 2003.

Garnett, the league Most Valuable Player in 2004, spent his entire 12-year career with Minnesota. He averaged 22.4 points and 12.8 rebounds last season.

"(The best part is) knowing that I have a chance (to win) every night, I don't have to get to get 25, 30 (points) every night, 20 rebounds," Garnett said.

Allen was obtained by Boston on draft night and that was a turning point in Garnett's thoughts about moving to the Celtics and fighting Cleveland for Eastern Conference supremacy.

"When Boston traded for Ray Allen, the whole situation changed for me," Garnett said. "This is my best opportunity to win a ring. Chemistry is a big thing. Cleveland, respect to them, the East has gotten a lot better."

"The more I continued to talk to Minnesota, about their future and making the team better, it contradicted with how I saw it, I came to realize that I probably won't be in a Timberwolve jersey this year."

"The more and more I knew that Minnesota's interest was different than mine, I knew I had to do this. I couldn't go to other franchises and have this kind of talent. No way I could duplicate this anywhere else."

AFP

(China Daily 08/02/2007 page24)