The Brooklyn Nets want to compete for a championship, right now. The Boston Celtics want to rebuild. And today, the huge trade agreed upon earlier in July was executed and became official today.
The Nets have acquired Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Jason Terry and D.J. White from the Celtics in exchange for Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries, MarShon Brooks, Kris Joseph, Keith Bogans and three first round draft picks (2014, 2016 and 2018), as well as the right to swap first round picks in 2017, Nets General Manager Billy King has announced.
“Today, the basketball gods smiled on the Nets,” said Nets Principal Owner Mikhail Prokhorov. “With the arrival of Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, we have achieved a great balance on our roster between veteran stars and young talents. This team will be dazzling to watch, and tough to compete against. ”
“We are excited to welcome Kevin, Paul and Jason to Brooklyn,” said King. “All three players have championship pedigree and possess the veteran qualities that will make us a stronger team.”
“We would like to thank Paul, Kevin, and Jason for everything that they have done for this franchise. We would not have won Banner 17 without Paul and Kevin and they will go down amongst the all-time great players to have ever worn a Celtics uniform,” said Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge. “At the same time we are excited to welcome Gerald, Kris, Keith, MarShon and Kris to the Celtics family. They bring a wealth of talent, experience, depth, and flexibility to our team.”
“Paul and Kevin exemplified everything it means to be a Celtic,” said Celtics Managing Partner and CEO Wyc Grousbeck. “They were instrumental in bringing back Celtic Pride and providing our fans with the franchise’s first championship in over 20 years in 2008. We wish them nothing but the best in the future.”
“We are really excited to welcome Gerald, Kris, Keith, MarShon and Kris to the Celtics organization,” said Celtics Head Coach Brad Stevens. “They collectively bring a great deal of versatility, unique skill sets and production to our roster. I cannot wait to get to work with them.”
In 18 seasons and 1,323 career games, Garnett holds averages of 19.1 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.5 blocks. This past season, the 6’ 11” power forward averaged 14.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game while playing in 68 contests. In 131 playoff games, Garnett has averaged 19.2 points, 11.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists. A fifteen-time All-Star, the veteran was selected as the NBA MVP during the 2003-04 season with the Minnesota Timberwolves. That season he averaged career-highs in points per game (24.2) and rebounds per game (13.9), while leading the NBA in total points (1,987) and rebounds (1,139). The Mauldin, SC native has been named first team All-NBA four times in his career, second team three times and third team twice. Garnett ranks 11th all-time in NBA history in games played (1,323), sixth in minutes (47,801), 11th in field goals (10,151), second in defensive rebounds (10,757), 10th in total rebounds (13,843), and 15th in points (25,274). He was the 2007-08 NBA Defensive Player of the Year and has been selected to the All-Defensive first team nine times and second team three times. Garnett helped lead the Celtics to the 2008 NBA Championship. For the 2008 playoffs, Garnett averaged 20.4 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. Following his career at Farragut Academy in Chicago, Illinois, Garnett was selected in the first round (fifth overall) of the 1995 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Pierce, a ten-time All-Star, played the first fifteen seasons of his career with the Boston Celtics where he was selected All-NBA third team three times and second team once. He ranks fifth all-time in NBA history in career three-pointers made (1,823), 20th in total points (24,021), 30th in points per game (21.8) and 10th in free throws made (6,434). Through 1,102 career games he has compiled averages of 21.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. This past season, he held averages of 18.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists. The Celtics selected Pierce with the tenth pick of the 1998 NBA Draft. Boston made the playoffs in ten of the Oakland, CA native’s fifteen seasons in Boston, once capturing the Larry O’Brien trophy (2008). In 136 career playoff games, Pierce has averaged 20.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.
In 1,101 games with the Hawks, Mavericks and Celtics, Terry has career averages of 15.7 points, 2.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. The 14-year veteran’s 1,911 made three-pointers rank him fourth in NBA history. He has amassed 17,286 total points in his career and won the 2008-09 Sixth Man of the Year award as a member of the Dallas Mavericks when he averaged 19.6 points per game. Terry was also a member of the 2011 NBA Champion Mavericks, and in his 93 career playoff games, holds averages of 16.5 points and 3.4 assists per game. Originally drafted by the Atlanta Hawks with the tenth pick of the 1999 NBA Draft, Terry has made the playoffs in nine consecutive seasons dating back to 2004-05. In 2012-13, his lone season in Boston, the Seattle, WA native averaged 13.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists.
Following his career at Indiana University, White was a first-round draft pick (29th overall) of the Detroit Pistons. He has played in 136 career NBA games with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Charlotte Bobcats and Boston Celtics and recorded averages of 6.0 points and 3.2 rebounds while shooting 50.7% from the field.
