KG on The Market?

[maes]

^ maes, good observation, but you gotta take into consideration of KG's age when he first entered the league.

True, although i'm not sure how much it helps because i think it's the years of NBA schedule that destroys the body more than just being 31, other sports have athletes well into their 30s and even early 40s.

JON was another high schooler and he looks like he's slowing down quite a bit, missing a lot of games last few seasons.

In any case, it's at least a gamble if Minny is going to re-sign KG to $20M a year for the next 5-6 years, to assume he'll be worth that.

Let's look at the most successful big man in the league right now, Tim Duncan is being offered only a 2 year extension. Duncan is the same age as KG and been playing only 10 years. And the assumption is Duncan will retire after this extension.

[Andrew]

True, although i'm not sure how much it helps because i think it's the years of NBA schedule that destroys the body more than just being 31, other sports have athletes well into their 30s and even early 40s.

I think that's something a lot of people overlook when they talk about players like Kobe and LeBron playing 20+ years in the league and shattering all the career scoring records. Those players have a head start in some respects but also put their bodies through the same NBA grind from an earlier age as well, which is still going to take its toll. Then again, Moses Malone came out of high school and played for 20 years, albeit moving into a lesser role in the late 80s/early 90s.

That said, KG is probably going to remain at this level for at least another couple of years, he's still playing over 90% of the Timberwolves' games and there hasn't been much slippage in his numbers except for assists, which is bound to happen anyway given the current state of the team.

[Riot]

Garnett keeps himself in such great shape and he is so tough. The daily grind of the NBA schedule doesn't bother him because he can just shake off ankle sprains and other injuries. He is a freak of nature.

As for the rumors, it's just another rumor. I'll believe them when he is at a press conference. The plan a few days ago was to build around Garnett and try to give it one more shot so I have no idea what made them change their mind in a matter of 72 hours or so. If they really are calling around it's probably just to get his value and that's all. They wouldn't trade him without his request and nothing points to Garnett wanting out.

[air gordon]

it may not come down to his request now since he has 1yr left to opt out and the t'wovles don't want to risk losing him for nothing.

problem is the longer they wait to trade him, the lower his value gets/less negotiating power they have

[Slizz]

Looks like that Celtics rumours getting hotter:
http://www.startribune.com/wolves/story/1256570.html

[-Young Buck-]

Well if i were Minny i would trade him right away. They havent done anything really except maybe one or two years they had a legit team. KG, if he is smart, will leave after his contract up and go to another team. Because minny has shown him through his whole career that they arent smart enough to get a team around him.

As for teams trading for him, how could you worry about his contract? He has shown nothing buy loyalty to his team. I think if he is traded to the celtics, bulls, or someone that can contend for the playoffs every year, he would resign no doubt. He has good character about him. How could you not want him on your team?

[Dro]

According to ESPN, KG is "not interested in being a Celtic":

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2912075

If the Minnesota Timberwolves are listening to offers for Kevin Garnett, the player is trying to make their job easier.

Forget Boston, is the word from the star center.

Garnett's agent, Andy Miller, told ESPN.com's Chris Sheridan that Garnett made it known to the Wolves and Celtics late Wednesday that he had no interest in playing for Boston. The implication was clear: If Minnesota dealt him to Boston, Garnett would opt out of his contract next summer.

"The Boston trade isn't happening," Miller told Sheridan on Thursday. "If a trade were to happen, that's not a destination that we're interested in pursuing."

Asked where Garnett would prefer to be dealt, Miller replied: "Too early. Ask me in two days."

[maes]

I can't believe Minny & Boston started trade talks w/o even consulting KG first.

Asked where Garnett would prefer to be dealt, Miller replied: "Too early. Ask me in two days."

There's always a spot in his home town.

[Sauru]

big shock there, a big name player who has been stuck on a shit team his entire career not wanting to get traded to another shit team. lol, i can see him push for the suns, though the wolves might want too much in return for him. infact after everything boston offered the wolves probably think they can get a kings ransom for him, though its really kg who has the say so and control here. knowing that teams will start to offer less, kg will remain in minn

[cyanide]

I'm just still amazed how stupid Ainge would've been if the Boston trade went through.

Which pieces? The latest incarnation of the deal, according to sources, would have required the Celtics to send blossoming forward Al Jefferson, its No. 5 overall pick in next Thursday's draft and Theo Ratliff's cap-friendly contract in addition to Wolves alumnus Wally Szczerbiak and troubled guard Sebastian Telfair in exchange for Garnett and Wolves guard Troy Hudson.

Stupid, stupid. As much as I respect the Celtics franchise (Larry's one of my favorite players), but Ainge has got to go.

[maes]

Sounds like Garnett is strongly hinting he wants in on Phoenix.

Garnett, sources say, wants to move to a warm-weather city and a team that can claim legitimate championship potential.

The Wolves and Suns have also discussed a Garnett trade. The Wolves, though, naturally want to trade Garnett out of their conference if they can.

If it has to deal with the Suns -- given the strong possibility Garnett won't sanction a move elsewhere -- Minnesota is expected to demand that Phoenix part with Amare Stoudemire in the exchange, as well as a first-round pick from Atlanta in the 2008 draft that is fully unprotected.

ESPN's Ric Bucher said on a podcast with Bill Simmons that the Suns have told him that they wouldn't trade Stoudemire for Garnett because of the luxury tax hit that they would be faced with.

I doubt Phoenix does it...Amare is young and costs $12M, KG is getting older and costs $21M.

[Riot]

There's always a spot in his home town.

Please, Garnett spent one year in Chicago. He spent the majority of his youth in Mauldin, SC. I would hardly call Chicago his home town.

[Dro]

McHale is an idiot if he thinks he can get more from Phoenix than what Boston was offering. The best chance of a deal being done is a 3-way trade involving Minnesota, Phoenix, and Boston, where Marion and others go to Boston, Boston sends a package of young players/picks to Minnesota and KG comes to Phoenix.

However, Shawn Marion is being an enormous douche and has said that he would opt out of his contract after a year if he was traded to a place like Boston or Minnesota, so naturally, I don't think either team would be too interested in him. Fucking ass.

[LakersRule24]

KG should come to LA.

[TheBigEasy]

However, Shawn Marion is being an enormous douche and has said that he would opt out of his contract after a year if he was traded to a place like Boston or Minnesota, so naturally, I don't think either team would be too interested in him. Fucking ass.

Why is that? Why is it ok for KG to control where he is going, but not for Marion? I can understand both of them ... With what is rumored to leave Boston (Jefferson, the 5th and Green), neither Marion nor KG would be better off there. Boston would continue to suck, even in the east. So why would anyone wanna play there.

As for Minny ... if they trade KG, they won't be competetive for quite some time. Why should Marion wanna go there?

KG to Phx makes perfect sense, even if they have to give up Stoudemire in the process. It would almost guarantee a championship, as KG would easily defer to Steve Nash. Problem with this is ... in 2-3 years both of them would retire, Marion would be older and Stoudemire gone. Phoenix has to think ... do the deal, be a lock for the championship the next 2-3 years and than start from scratch. Or try to make it work with Stoudemire on the team now, and use him as a building block for the future.

Tough question ... Minny on the other hand has to realize, that trading Garnett is the only way right now. They are going nowhere right now and they won't be able to get him the right help. And KG is too loyal to demand a trade. I would have ran out of there 2 years ago, after the Sprewell/Cassell situation imploded.

I hope KG is traded to a contender and wins his ring. The guy deserves it ...

[Dro]

However, Shawn Marion is being an enormous douche and has said that he would opt out of his contract after a year if he was traded to a place like Boston or Minnesota, so naturally, I don't think either team would be too interested in him. Fucking ass.

Why is that? Why is it ok for KG to control where he is going, but not for Marion?

There are a select few players in the NBA who should have the right to determine where they want to go. Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, and Tim Duncan are in that group, and I think LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are there as well. Shawn Friggin' Marion? No way he has that sort of leverage. The dude is making 17 mil a season and has expressed interest in being "the man" on a team. Well, he could go to Boston, and he'll be the first option on some nights and the second option on other nights.

Honestly, I think he's scared. If he decides to opt out after next season, it turns into a contract year for him. If he does go to a team where he's the first of second option, his lack of playmaking ability is going to be exposed to the rest of the league.

EDIT: And as for Amare for KG...no. All that does is improve our rebounding and defense slightly, which isn't enough to guarantee a championship. Definitely not worth trading 24 year old Stoudemire for 31 year old Garnett if it doesn't dramatically improve our chances to win it all.

[-Young Buck-]

I think its okay for KG because he is on a terrible team, and has been suffering for his whole career while being loyal to his team. Marion on the other hand is just being greedy. He is already on a good team, gets a ton of cash, i dont know why he would want to leave. Maybe he is jealous of Joe Johnsons success since he left the suns.

[Sauru]

However, Shawn Marion is being an enormous douche and has said that he would opt out of his contract after a year if he was traded to a place like Boston or Minnesota, so naturally, I don't think either team would be too interested in him. Fucking ass.

Why is that? Why is it ok for KG to control where he is going, but not for Marion? I can understand both of them ... With what is rumored to leave Boston (Jefferson, the 5th and Green), neither Marion nor KG would be better off there. Boston would continue to suck, even in the east. So why would anyone wanna play there.

As for Minny ... if they trade KG, they won't be competetive for quite some time. Why should Marion wanna go there?

KG to Phx makes perfect sense, even if they have to give up Stoudemire in the process. It would almost guarantee a championship, as KG would easily defer to Steve Nash. Problem with this is ... in 2-3 years both of them would retire, Marion would be older and Stoudemire gone. Phoenix has to think ... do the deal, be a lock for the championship the next 2-3 years and than start from scratch. Or try to make it work with Stoudemire on the team now, and use him as a building block for the future.

Tough question ... Minny on the other hand has to realize, that trading Garnett is the only way right now. They are going nowhere right now and they won't be able to get him the right help. And KG is too loyal to demand a trade. I would have ran out of there 2 years ago, after the Sprewell/Cassell situation imploded.

I hope KG is traded to a contender and wins his ring. The guy deserves it ...

i think if getting kg guarenteed phoenix a ring then its worth it, even if they gotta go through 5-6 years of crap team rebuilding afterwards. now i dont think it does guarentee it, but it is thier best chance ever imo.

also i think people are wrong to say kg is only a slight upgrade on amare. maybe by stats it looks this way but playing on phoenix has a way of inflating your stats. nash is great at making others look really good. not saying amare is not good, i just think kg would work out even better in phoenix than amare is, atleast in the present. i think we would actually see a stat boost for kg in phoenix for several reasons. first being obvious, playing in phoenix and with nash makes almost everyone get a stat boost. then you got the fact that he would probably enjoy the game more which as anyone should know, enjoying the game while you play tends to lead to better results. you would also see a new energy in him knowing this is the best team he has ever been on and he now has a serious shot at the title.

in short, if you put kg on the suns with only the loss of amare i would put them as my fav to win it all next season

[maes]

also i think people are wrong to say kg is only a slight upgrade on amare. maybe by stats it looks this way but playing on phoenix has a way of inflating your stats. nash is great at making others look really good. not saying amare is not good, i just think kg would work out even better in phoenix than amare is, atleast in the present. i think we would actually see a stat boost for kg in phoenix for several reasons. first being obvious, playing in phoenix and with nash makes almost everyone get a stat boost.

Good point.

But i think KG will average less than he does in Minnestoa.

+ He will have Nash feeding him the ball for high % shots
+ He will be on a faster paced team
- No longer will every play go through KG
- In Phoenix's system, he's not going to be a ballhandler & pass out, Nash has the ball 90% of the time and the rest of the time it's in Barbosa's.

As an example, last few years every play Portland ran went through Zach Randolph. His #s looked amazing. But he's not that good, and everybody in the league knows that, it's just that he was the only option at that time.

Still, it's not about personal stats. If KG just wants to win, Phoenix is a great place to go.

[Sauru]

i really believe that KG is the kind of player to take the lesser stats for a chance to win. i never saw KG has a stat whore personally, so i think phoenix is perfect for him. you say he will have a higher % of shots, if he keeps the same ppg average but his fg% takes a jump then its just as good, if not better, than his ppg going up slightly.

you are right though about nash handling the ball, it will be an adjustment for KG, but like i said, i think he wants to win enough and is not about personal achievments so it will work

[Riot]

Garnett would fit perfectly with Steve Nash. Garnett has had his best years with point guards who dominate the ball. Billups, Marbury, Cassell. Garnett is one of the best players in the league at setting up the pick and roll and pick and pop. Him and Nash would be a great duo.

With that said, Garnett is going to stay in Minnesota.

[NovU]

kg in phx? from phx's standpoint, i don't think it'll be much improv.
kg/amare will just be sharing touches from nash and amare's already shown his effectiveness w/ nash aside. well... depends how u look at tho. if phx don't gotta give up too much for KG, then y not.

[Sauru]

kg and amare would never share touches, no way the deal happens without amare in it, infact the deal wont happen period

[NovU]

besides, i don't expect suns to make changes but only an adjustment like any other powerhouses wiill do. i understand a lot of ppl wanting to see blockbuster trade deal but owners dont wanna take too much risk for their already a serious contending team. for kg, it'd be nice but for suns, i'd see it as a risky deal.

[Riot]

Someone posted this on Timberwolves forum and thought it was interesting. This is basically just a summary of what Rick Bucher said earlier today.

Bucher reiterated that he believes KG will be traded before Thursday's draft, but earlier today on the radio he said the Timberwolves are having some complications with Garnett trade talk because, in Bucher's words, "there's too many cooks in the kitchen."

He said essentially Glen Taylor doesn't know who to trust most right now. In the past he had always left final say in personnel moves up to McHale, but according to Bucher, he is growing weary of some of his decisions.

Essentially he says that a source indicated it's essentially McHale and Babcock vs. Stack and Hoiberg in terms of the way things are being done in the front office right now. Apparently, McHale first iniated contact with Phoenix last week and contrary to popular belief, it was Stack who spoke to Ainge about this constructed trade that fell through and not Ainge's former buddy McHale.


Now, McHale feels he "owes it" to KG to try and work out a deal with Phoenix and is trying to make something work. Babcock is esentially on McHale's side, whereas Stack does not want to settle on negotiating only with Phoenix and instead wants to take his time over the next week and speak to Chicago, Golden State and any other teams that could be interested. Apparently Hoiberg is agreeing with Stack's line of thinking while Babcock and McHale just want to work something out with the Suns.

Bucher noted that it has not reached the point where it's getting heated in the front office, but he mentioned that there is definetly a divide in the line of thinking between Babcock and McHale vs. Stack and Hoiberg. He said due to this a trade could take a little longer.

Finally, Bucher said a Wolves source indicated to him that if forced to make a decision on the future, it seems as though Taylor will give Stack final say based on his success in Chicago.