NBA Blog

There apparently has been some serious trade talk about Kevin Garnett going to the Lakers.  There are four teams in the discussion right now with two different scenarios in the works.  I do not see either of them happening.  Let’s break down each of the scenarios with the key components to the deal:

1.  Lakers get Kevin Garnett (and probably Jaric).  Minnesota gets Al Jefferson and the #5 pick.  Indiana gets Bynum and Odom, and Boston gets Jermaine O’Neal. 

This deal simply cannot work, because Boston is giving up waaay too much for O’Neal.  I know he had an outstanding year defensively, but he was a shadow of his former self on the offensive end of the floor.  Plus, he has had multiple seasons where he has missed some extended periods of time due to injuries.  Last season, especially after the All Star break, Jefferson was a beast.  He has shown the development, and I believe he should be at least an 18 point/11 rebound guy for the Celtics.  There is also a chance that the Celtics could get Corey Brewer to play alongside Pierce and Jefferson.  I believe that a team with Jefferson, Brewer, and Pierce will go a lot farther than a tandem of O’Neal and Pierce. 

2.  The other scenario sends KG to the Lakers, O’Neal to the Celtics, Odom and Bynum to the Pacers, and a pu-pu platter of Ratliff, Telfair, and the #5 pick to the ‘Wolves.  After 10 years of having the second best power forward in the game (and he’s been a close second to the Greatest Power Forward of all Time during that stretch), this is all the ‘Wolves can get for him?  That’s terrible.  I know McHale is not a good General Manager, but that is absurd.  There is absolutely no way that deal can happen.  If this trade went down, I think David Stern would seriously have to consider vetoing it, much like he had to do when the Cavs cheap owner was selling players in the late 70’s/early 80’s.  It is a complete fleece-job.