KG trade rumors updates
From Sam Smith/Chicago Tribune:Even in February teams were being told the same thing, that Garnett was not available. But that all changed dramatically earlier this month when Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor reportedly decided not to offer Garnett an extension. Garnett can opt out of his contract after this season, so an extension is vital to any trade. The most serious talks continued with Boston as Minnesota general manager Kevin McHale apparently wanted to deal with former teammate Danny Ainge.
But Minnesota also went hunting for a bigger prize at the same time, asking for major pieces with several teams, including the Bulls. The requests generally included two of the team's starters, its best young players, draft picks and expiring contracts. So the Timberwolves then went back to the Celtics as the outrageous demands were scoffed at around the NBA.
From Patrick Reusse:
People on the fringe of the Wolves' operation kept telling reporters that Taylor wanted Garnett gone -- not for any personal reason, but because of this:
Garnett could have opted out of his contract after the 2007-08 season...
From Shira Springer/Boston Globe:
League sources added Garnett is now more amenable to playing in Boston, especially since he would be teaming with fellow All-Stars Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, not Pierce, Wally Szczerbiak and a group of young players with largely unrealized potential. As a result, those same sources said both sides are confident the contractual issues will not block completion of the deal. Trade talks resumed in recent weeks and intensified over the weekend.
Kent Youngblood/Star Tribune on the pieces the Wolves will reportedly get in return for KG:
If this all sounds familiar, it is. In the pre-draft frenzy of trade rumors, the strongest had the Wolves dealing Garnett to Boston in a package that would also have included the Celtics' first-round draft pick, No. 5 overall.
Rick Alonzo/Pioneer Press on the potential trade.
If the trade happens, there could be 9 players age 24 or younger on the team.
"One thing is for sure," Wolves veteran forward Mark Madsen said. "[If the trade happens] there will be a lot of opportunity for guys to step up. In one fell swoop we'd go from being an older team to being one of the youngest."
posted by Lil Dice @ 7/31/2007 03:22:00 AM
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