It looks like it's going to happen. The rumors finally have some weight behind them. It appears the T-Wolves had a deal all set in place to trade Kevin Garnett to Boston, but then KG thwarted it by saying he wouldn't agree not to opt out of his contract if headed to Boston.
The St. Paul Pioneer Press has some great analysis on the situation today.
It seems clear it's just a matter of when not IF KG is traded since now the T-Wolves tried to make a move. Now the wheels are spinning on KG's side trying to figure out when and where he wants to go.
But I still say it's a poor strategy. First, why trade him now? Will the T-Wolves really get more value now then they would at the trading deadline? Keep KG for the start of the season. If the T-Wolves can somehow take some young talent around them and improve, maybe KG agrees to an extension and doesn't opt out of his deal (which he can at the end of the season). Rashard McCants, Randy Foye and this year's draft pick will have a shot to be impact players next to KG quickly. If it doesn't appear to be working out by February, then shop KG at the trading deadline.
I'd think they'd get similar deals then, because basically any deal is just a complete blowing up of the roster. The T-Wolves would be looking for expiring contracts and younger players with upside. It would basically be going the Atlanta Hawks way to rebuild the franchise.
I'd still argue keeping Garnett is the way to go. You're only as good as your best player in the NBA. (How may teams have won the championship in the past 30 years without a Dream Team-caliber player on the roster?). A good GM should be able to take a talent like KG and put the talent around him to at least make a playoff team. The problem with the T-Wolves the past three years has been the coaching (firing Flip Saunders was a big mistake) and GM Kevin McHale's inability to draft impact players.
Posted by Peter Schoenke at 6/22/2007 11:07:00 AM
