The Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics are reportedly discussing a blockbuster deal that would send both Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Nets, according to Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski. Garnett and Pierce had both been previously linked to the deal that sent Celtics coach Doc Rivers to the Los Angeles Clippers, though that move was nixed by the league due to legality issues.
NBA trade rumors: Nets, Celtics discussing deal involving Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett
Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce could be headed to the Nets in a possible blockbuster deal being discussed between Brooklyn and the Boston Celtics.
The Nets have been doing their best to make a big splash ever since new owner Mikhail Prokhorov took over the team, whether it be trading for Deron Williams, moving to Brooklyn or hiring the recently retired Jason Kidd as the team's new head coach. This move would certainly seem to be in the same vein as well, though it sounds like it'll be a bit riskier than their previous moves.
Brooklyn would give up a package that includes Kris Humphries, Gerald Wallace, Tornike Shengelia and three (3!) future first-round picks in order to extricate Garnett and Pierce from the rebuilding Celtics, according to Wojnarowski. The deal apparently couldn't be completed until the NBA's moratorium ends on July 10 due to the necessity of Pierce's 2013-14 contract to make the finances work for both sides.
Pierce and Garnett are both in the latter years of their career so it makes sense why the Celtics are interested in moving them in exchange for this package of expiring players and future draft picks until they’re able to compete for a championship again.
As far as Brooklyn is concerned, though, this move indicates that they expect to compete for a championship next year since they'd be mortgaging their future in order to acquire the two aging superstars. Both Pierce and Garnett seem as though they can still contribute in the short term, though, and would provide a solid presence to what could be an excellent starting lineup of Williams, Joe Johnson, Brook Lopez and the two Celtics.
Another interesting facet to this move, should it happen, is the fact that the Celtics made a similar move a few years ago when they brought Garnett and Allen to Boston to compete for -- and eventually win -- a championship. This move isn’t guaranteed to have the same success, but that starting lineup should be able to compete with any NBA team as long as it stays healthy.
More from SB Nation:
See More:
