According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Celtics have been "in regular contact" with the Los Angeles Clippers about a trade that would send Kevin Garnett west.
A weekend slated to be filled with James White dunks, ridiculous Kyrie Irving crossovers and meaningless exhibitions of top basketball talent has become Boston Celtics trade rumor central.
Adrian Wojnarowski and Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports reported early Saturday morning that the Celtics have been "in regular contact" with the Los Angeles Clippers about a trade that would send Kevin Garnett west in exchange for DeAndre Jordan and Eric Bledsoe.
Late Friday night, reports claimed that the Celtics have had discussions with the Lakers about a Rajon Rondo-for-Dwight Howard swap, a deal which at least as of now seems highly unlikely.
Garnett possesses a no-trade clause, but, according to Yahoo!, "there's hope that Garnett, a 15-time All-Star, could be coaxed into accepting a trade if an agreement is reached."
Yahoo! reported that there exist "differing factions within the Celtics and Clippers on the prudence of the deal," and ESPN's Chris Broussard tweeted this shortly after:
Vinny Del Negro wants KG, willing to give Bledsoe/Jordan for him. Clips front office totally against the move. Front office has final say.
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) February 16, 2013
Also according to Broussard, the Clippers are willing to trade a Huffy bike for a fully-loaded Lexus:
If Boston wants WGreen, RTuriaf & C Butler, sure the Clips front office will take KG, but not for Bled & Jordan.
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) February 16, 2013
During an ESPN Radio interview Friday at the All-Star Weekend festivities, Garnett reiterated a desire to wear green for the remainder of his career.
"It's my preference, I will retire a Celtic and be buried in green and that's where it stands," said Garnett. "As far as the organization, where they feel they want to go, their visions for the future, I can't speak on that. You have to ask them that. For right now, this is what it is, if it changes, I'll have to deal with that."
For what it's worth, a report last week by Shaun Powell of Sports On Earth said Garnett would think about waiving his no-trade clause to play in Los Angeles, near his Malibu home, but only if Paul Piece is dealt first.
The Celtics would likely only consider dealing Garnett if the move set them up for a brighter future, and both Bledsoe, 23, and Jordan, 24, would make sense in that regard. Acquiring both of the youngsters would give Boston a 26-and-under core of Bledsoe, Jordan, Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley, Jeff Green and Jared Sullinger, very enticing moving forward especially if Rondo and Sullinger return healthy next season as they vow.
