Nets, Celts working on blockbuster - Garnett, Pierce Involved In Trade Talks

Updated: June 27, 2013, 7:24 PM ET
By Marc Stein | ESPN.com

Tim Leger breaks down the Nets and Celtics trade talks that would include Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce.

Garnett, Pierce Involved In Trade Talks

Fast-moving trade talks between the Brooklyn Nets and the Boston Celtics that would land Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett in Brooklyn have reached the point that the teams were trying to reach verbal agreement on the framework of a deal by the end of Thursday night, according to sources familiar with the talks.

The last step to the teams signing off on the trade, sources said, is convincing Garnett to waive his no-trade clause, with talks to that end between Garnett and Celtics officials commencing Thursday night.

"It's in the hands of KG and Boston management now," a source said.

No trade between the teams can officially be consummated until July 10 -- when a leaguewide moratorium on signings and trades is lifted after free agency begins July 1 -- but the teams are making fast progress toward finalizing the trade parameters.

"It's very serious and can happen very soon," one source close to the talks said.

According to a Yahoo! Sports report, Brooklyn has agreed to send three first-round picks (2014, '16 and '18) along with Kris Humphries' expiring contract, Gerald Wallace, Tornike Shengelia, Reggie Evans and a sign-and-traded Keith Bogans to the Celtics for Pierce, Garnett and Jason Terry. By agreeing to add Terry to the trade, sources said, Brooklyn alleviated some of Boston's concerns about absorbing the remaining three years and $30 million on Wallace's contract.

Pierce has a team option for $15.3 million that the Celtics would have to pick up by week's end for such a deal to have any shot in July. Because Pierce is making nearly $17 million this season, Brooklyn needs the deal to wait until after the start of free agency and the lifting of the moratorium on July 10, since the $15.3 million figure is used in the trade.

Yahoo! Sports reported the Nets' pursuit of Garnett and Pierce as a package. The New York Daily News reported earlier this week that the Nets were chasing Garnett. Sources told ESPN.com the Nets hatched the idea of trying to acquire both Boston stalwarts in the same deal because Pierce's inclusion is seen as the surest way to persuade Garnett to waive his no-trade clause.

The addition of Garnett and Pierce to the trio of Deron Williams, Joe Johnson and Brook Lopez would appear to give the Nets one of the most formidable rosters in the NBA under rookie coach Jason Kidd.

Earlier this offseason, Boston denied the Nets permission to contact then-head coach Doc Rivers, who eventually left to coach the Los Angeles Clippers.

But the Celtics, now that Rivers has departed, are a team in transition that is said to be looking to accelerate the rebuilding process by chasing draft picks and creating cap space.

Information from ESPNNewYork.com regular contributor Mike Mazzeo was used in this report.

112288

It would sure take care of our salary problem.

Guess this gives me my answer as to what to tell the Celtics ticket rep who keeps calling to offer me season tickets next year.

Maybe the year after bro.

Have to post this quickly before the names change again. Data are 2012-13 figures.

Kris Humphries: Age 28, PF, MPG 18.3, FG Shooting 44.8%, FT Shooting 78.9%, RPG 1.9 + 3.7 = 5.6

• Okay at everything. MPG increased for three years (20.6 to 27.9 to 34.9) then plummeted last year to 18.3. Is he damaged goods?

• Last year, he averaged one rebound and one point about every three minutes. If he could maintain those pace and play 30 MPG, he would average about 9.2 RPG and 9.5 PPG for the Celtics

Reggie Evans: Age 33, PF, MPG 24.6, FG Shooting 47.9%, FT Shooting 50.9%, RPG 3.3+7.9 = 11.1

• Not a bad shooter unless he gets fouled. (Ouch!)

• Should provide strong rebound help unless he develops Jason Terry disease and starts to tail off due to age.

Gerald Wallace: Age 30, SF, MPG 30.1, FG Shooting 46.8%, 3-pt. 28.2%, FT Shooting 63.7%, RPG 1.0 + 3.6 = 4.6

• Seems like a place-holder, chipping in with occasional points and a rebound or two when spelling Green or (?) Josh.

Keith Boguns: Age 33, SG, MPG 19.0, FG Shooting 38.0%, 3-pt. 34.3%, FT Shooting 64.7%

• Another older veteran, but not one who commands deference.

• Sucks at FG shooting; marginal at three-point shooting; barely acceptable at free throw shooting.

Tornike Shengalia: Age 21, SF/PF, MPG 4.9, FG Shooting 43.5%, FT Shooting 56.3%, RPG 0.5 + 0.7 = 1.2

• Throw-in who would have to blossom quickly to stick with the team. Did these guys practice their free throws with drops in their eyes?

Bottom line: Here’s hoping any or all of them (with the possible exception of Evans) is shipped out in other trades. Okay, MAYBE keep Humphries because of his expiring contract. Hard to imagine a team personality based on their collective “strengths.”

Sam

Report the trade has been agreed to