Kevin Garnett to Boston in a blocbuster deal

In this first posting, I could have choose from Michael Vick situation to Barry Bonds' quest for home run #756 as its first subject. But instead, I choose to discuss about the blockbuster trade in the NBA between the Boston Celtics and the Minnesota Timberwolves that occured today.

In that deal, the T-Wolves sent the franchise player Kevin Garnett to Boston in return of forwards Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes and Gerald Green, guard Sebastian Telfair and center Theo Ratliff, two first-round draft picks and cash considerations. Also, Garnett has agreed to a three-year extension added to the remaining two years on his contract that will keep him in Beantown through the 2011-12 season.

On paper, the trade made Boston a legitmate contender for a NBA title with Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce as a potential triple threat on the court. But also, this trade will likely turn the East from crappy to competitive. Yeah, the West is still the best conference but I'm pretty sure the balance between the two conferences will return as long as Commissioner Stern doesn't hire phony officials who decide the outcome of a game like Tim Donaghy.

However, the addition of K.G. doesn't necessarily mean a NBA title for the Celtics. The fact having three aging all-stars can be a problem, especially with injuries. Ray Allen has been injury prone in recent years, so has Paul Pierce last season. The lack of depth in the bench with the departure of Green and Gomes could also hindered the Celtics in the long run. What would happen if one of the three is down with injuries? Who's gonna step up to support the trio in dire situation? For that reason, they need some key role players that can help them in playoff situations. At least, they didn't traded PG Rajon Rondo and C Kendrick Perkins.

This trade could decide the fate of general manager Danny Ainge who has made some horrendous decisions during his tenure. If KG, Allen and Pierce play well together, Ainge will be seeing as a genius. If not, and the players traded to Minnesota blossom there, don't be surprised if Ainge finds himself unemployed.

I hope this trade helps the Celtics and the NBA, because the league definitely needs its most storied franchise to return to glory in order to improve the level of competition that has been boring in the last seven years.