Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett were traded by the team they thought they would retire in. However, after a disappointing early exit in the playoffs last season, it was clear the Celtics and their star players were going in different directions. Boston needed to get younger and with Doc Rivers going to the Los Angeles Clippers, a new atmosphere was imminent. The two players understood the organizations reasoning and Garnett waived his no trade clause. During the NBA draft, it was announced that the two players, along with Jason Terry, had been traded to the Brooklyn Nets. In exchange, the Nets sent Kris Humphries, Gerald Wallace, Kris Joseph, and three first round picks over the next five years.
As for how the trade worked out, well the Nets are still adjusting to all the new faces to put it nicely. They are a complete mess and are one of the worst teams in the league. Pierce is currently resting an injury, while Garnett has finally started to really show signs that Father Time has caught up to him. However, all the blame cannot be put on the two aging stars. First year head coach Jason Kidd has had a hard time adjusting to his new role. He gave us one of the greatest moments in sports when he seen clearly on video telling Tyshawn Taylor to bump into him while he was holding a cup of soda to cause a time out. The Celtics, however, are 8-12 and are leading the Atlantic Division. Clearly, the entire division is struggling right now and that is the only reason the Celtics are in first place. Tomorrow the Celtics head to Brooklyn to face Pierce and Garnett in their new home.
