Kevin Garnett was traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Boston Celtics on Monday, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported, citing a Celtics source who wished to remain anonymous.
The deal brings all-star forward Garnett together with long-time Celtics playmaker Paul Pierce and veteran guard Ray Allen to make Boston a force to contend with in the NBA after years of struggles.
None of the three have ever been able to claim an NBA championship despite years of success on the court.
PHOTO: EPA
Coming together
And with all in their 30s, the chances to pull off a title run might hinge upon them coming together as a team.
Garnett was traded for forwards Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes and Gerald Green, center Theo Ratliff, guard Sebastian Telfair as well as two future first-round NBA draft picks, according to the report.
The Celtics were 24-58 last season, the NBA's second-worst record, and have not won a playoff series since 2003.
Garnett has the right to opt out of his new US$22 million contract after next season and solving that issue was said to be among the things that made the trade difficult to achieve.
Multi-year extension
But Garnett is expected to receive a multi-year extension and has agreed to waive a clause that would hurt the Celtics' under NBA salary cap rules.
The Celtics and Timberwolves had discussed the deal before last month's NBA draft.
Top executives Danny Ainge of the Celtics and Kevin McHale of the Timberwolves are friends from their playing days in Boston.
Garnett, the league Most Valuable Player in 2004, spent his entire 12-year career with Minnesota. He has career averages of 20.5 points and 11.4 rebounds in 927 games.
Allen has a 21.5-point career scoring average. Pierce's is 23.6 points a game.
Garnett, 31, averaged 22.4 points and 12.8 rebounds last season.
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