Kevin Garnett will only waive no-trade clause if Paul Pierce is traded also
This is far from a surprise, but it’s still something nice to note: Kevin Garnett, who has made it abundantly clear that he wants to end his career in Boston, will reportedly only accept a trade if Pierce is dealt too. In other words, either Danny Ainge blows everything completely sky-high, or these two longtime teammates ride out their careers together to the (hopefully not very bitter) end.
As for the part about only accepting a trade to LA, Ainge probably would have preferred that KG keep that under wraps, since it will significantly limit the bargaining power the C’s have with the Clippers (since we can only hope Ainge would never consider trading KG to the Lakers). If the Clippers know that KG is only available to them, why would they include DeAndre Jordan with Eric Bledsoe? On the other hand, if the Clippers know that KG is only available to them, they may limit their offer enough to convince Danny to hang on to him, which, for my money, is far and away the most preferable scenario.
In an NBA landscape full of free agents, multi-team blockbuster deals and superstars demanding their own trade destinations, Kevin Garnett is a man from a different era. He is fiercely loyal, proud and dedicated to his teammates.
I sincerely hope we never stop appreciating and remembering that.
Follow Tom on Twitter: @Tom_NBA.
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- Woj: Paul Pierce most likely to be traded from Boston Celtics
- Boston Celtics trade rumors 2013: Los Angeles Clippers calling about Kevin Garnett; Eric Bledsoe part of offer
- Rajon Rondo named to Third Team All-NBA, Kevin Garnett left off all three teamsRajon Rondo named to Third Team All-NBA; Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce receive votes
- KG’s deal has a no-trade clause
Celtics Blog | Tom Westerholm | February 5, 2013
unless PP is traded, as well, Ainge has no bargaining power with the clippers at all.
And I don’t think the clippers would be willing to part with enough assets to absorb KG and PP contracts together. So it would take a PP trade before, and then the clippers would be the only likely counterpart for KG (just for basketball reasons, several Celtics became Lakers in the Past. Fox, Kleine, Shaw are the first that come to my mind). So basically what KG is doing is telling Ainge not to blow the team up, because if he does so KG will instantly destroy his own trade value. I appreciate it, as a fan, but that’s not that different from what other superstars do when they influence the GM’s work
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OK this is idiocy, but let’s play the game –
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine
I want KG/PP to retire as Celtics but if a trade is needed this is what I’d do. The Clippers won’t trade Griffin so this would be best for us long-term. But it’s bs so let’s move on. Go Cs…
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Yeah so basically KG knows that if Ainge trades someone, the first one will be Pierce, and KG doesn’t want that. If they start rebuilding he doesn’t want to stay in Boston, he will go to the clippers, try to get a long playoff run, and then retire. And I agree with that, KG wants another ring IN BOSTON, and if he can’t get it there, he will retire.
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I could care less. You say KG is loyal to teammates. He’s loyal to Paul Pierce. Not the same thing. Or he’s loyal to whomever he’s loyal to at any particular moment.
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I think you’re misunderstanding the situation, the celtics are on the line of rebuilding process, when KG signed with the C’s was to win as many championships as he could, but right now they are barely holding a playoff spot. This era is ending, and after 5 exiting years of contending I think is fair for KG to retire than waiting for the C’s to rebuild. He’s been loyal to the Celtics all the time. If they trade Paul Pierce I think you would agree with me the celtics chances to winning a championship will be 0, even with KG and the rest of his actual teammates.
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I don’t know about that. from what I have red, the Clippers have shown some interest in Garnett, and he would not think about turning away from another chance to win an NBA title.
As for Pierce, i doubt the Celts will move him as his contract is very desirable. His contract expires after next season so Boston will definitely be holding onto him,
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