ESPN has an article up about how the LA Times "sources" is reporting that there is a big discussion (involving four teams) going on that may result in a trade that lands Kevin Garnett in LA.

The supposed trade would also send Jermaine O'Neal to Boston, while Indiana would Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum.  Sounds great! 

Um, what is Minnesota getting out of the trade, considering it is giving up the best player?  "The Wolves would likely acquire a lottery pick and young players."  Um, yeah.  And Kevin McHale would likely acquire a noose, presuming that the pitchforks haven't gotten to him yet.

The original LA Times article doesn't indicate much about what the T-Wolves would receive, either.

We love these trade rumors, especially by "real" credible "news" organizations.  Yeah, because they make us feel smart.  I could come up with a trade scenerio for all four teams far more plausible than that.  

The Wolves will not trade the best player in their franchise history for "a lottery pick and a bunch of young players".  It would cost, at the very least, Al Jefferson, Bynum, and a lottery pick.  That's what I would demand if I was Kevin McHale.  Here's what might actually happen:  Larry Bird might give up on O'Neal, and move him if he can dump some of his absurd salary contracts on the Lakers (see Troy Murphy and Mike Dunleavy, Jr.), and get back a young player or a top pick. 

Minnesota is not going to move Garnett, unless he forces their hands.  If so, McHale will move him to the Bulls for their top pick plus one, maybe two, of their top three players (Gordon, Hinrich, Deng), and probably Tyrus Thomas, too.  Presuming the Bulls are willing to make that move.  The other option would be Phoenix (for a package that includes Shawn Marion, the Hawks' unprotected pick next, and they will probably demand Barbosa).  

The Celtics aren't getting a premier player, not unless they package Al Jefferson plus the #5 plus some salary cap relief.  Maybe they can offer that for Jermaine O'Neal, though I doubt they will.  Rather, they'll stay put, and hope that Jefferson can continue to grow, and become the low post presence that O'Neal is in Indiana.  Remember, the Celtics have Paul Pierce, who, when healthy, is capable of being a top-10 player in the East.  Easily.  Add to that an improving Jefferson, and a young player at #5... maybe Danny Ainge and the Celtics are anticipating an improvement, and possibly a playoff spot.  It's not out of the question.

But the trade scenario "proposed" most definitely is....

Oh, bonus:  Here is another winner, from the Chicago Tribune.  It sends KG to Phoenix, Marion to Boston, and... the #5 to Minnesota.  Oh, and a lottery pick next year.  Oh, and two more picks this year (#24 and 29, sweet!  That's like $6 million of picks, if they want to sell them).  Oh, and expiring contracts (Kurt Thomas and Theo Ratliff), so the Wolves can pursue... whom?  

See, this is what kills me!  Why would the Wolves be looking to free cap space.  Even if KG leaves as a free agent, the year he leaves (2009) also happens to be the best year for free agents, and you know have over $22 million free if KG leaves... enough to overpay two stud free agents.  So why would Minnesota going to trade KG for cap relief now?!?

 Subscribe to my feed