June 22, 2007
MINNEAPOLIS (TICKER) -- Kevin Garnett may not be playing with the Minnesota Timberwolves next season, but he won't be suiting up for the Boston Celtics either.
Garnett's agent, Andy Miller, told ESPN.com that his client has no interest in being traded to the Celtics, according to a report on the Minneapolis Star Tribune's web site Thursday.
"The Boston trade isn't happening," Miller told ESPN.com. "If a trade were to happen, that's not a destination that we're interested in pursuing."
Both the Celtics and Timberwolves are coming off disappointing campaigns and are looking to shake things up within their organizations. While both clubs may do just that, it does not seem they will be dealing with each other.
Timberwolves general manager Kevin McHale, who has made it known that the superstar forward is on the trading block, admitted he is listening to offers but has yet to receive one worthy of a deal.
"Kevin has meant a lot to this franchise," McHale told the Star Tribune. "The most important thing is looking at the franchise and what gives you the best opportunity to win."
But Boston, McHale's former team, had been rumored to be a good fit for Garnett, whose team has not made the playoffs since losing in the Western Conference finals in 2003-04 - the year the All-Star was named the league MVP.
Boston certainly has the pieces to offer Minnesota, including 22-year-old forward Al Jefferson, high-flying swingman Gerald Green, Theo Ratliff's expiring contract and the No. 5 pick in the draft.
While all are formidable pieces, Garnett apparently just is not interested. However, he does realize that he may be on his way out of Minnesota.
"(Kevin) has a good handle on the possibility of being traded," Miller told ESPN.com, according to the report. "Kevin is an extremely loyal person, and loyalty is not a common factor among pro athletes. But in this situation, he understands he has to put his long-term considerations ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves' long-term considerations."
Garnett, who has played 12 seasons in Minnesota, jumped directly from high school to the NBA.
A 10-time All-Star, six-time member of the All-Defensive first team, three-time member of the All-NBA first team and perennial rebounding champion, Garnett certainly has impeccable credentials. And it is not often that a player of his caliber enters the market.
McHale, for his part, admitted that Garnett's name also has come up in trade talks in past years, but it is more serious this time.
"We've always talked," McHale told the newspaper about conversations around the league. "The only difference is ... we've had three what I consider to be sub-par years. And you listen more. But that doesn't mean you do any more.
"Do I know what the future holds? No. If somebody offers you something that is phenomenal, you never say never. If a team says, 'We'll give you X and Y and this and that,' you have to look. But I haven't seen player X and Y and everything else coming out of the woodwork either."
It would certainly have to be a stellar offer to land Garnett, who averaged 22.4 points and 12.8 rebounds last season.
SBR Top-Rated Sportsbooks
Garnett's agent says hell no to Boston
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by OWNED
