Who Will Acquire Kevin Garnett: The Dallas Mavericks, The Golden State Warriors, The L.A. Lakers, or the Phoenix Suns?

July 08 07

NBA fans used to wonder if Kevin Garnett would get traded. Now NBA fans wonder when and where Kevin Garnett will get traded.

It’s become a foregone conclusion that Minnesota will deal The Big Ticket. Four teams have emerged as frontrunners for Garnett’s services: the Dallas Mavericks, the Golden State Warriors, the L.A. Lakers, and the Phoenix Suns.

Trade rumors also reveal a lot about organizations. Interesting facts emerge. Here’s what we’ve discovered about the teams trying to acquire Garnett:

The Dallas Mavericks:

What we’ve learned: Forget last season’s 67 wins. And forget their 2005-06 appearance in the NBA Finals. Dallas is considering all options except trading Dirk Nowitzki.

What’s the problem: The Mavericks lack the right assets. Dallas is apparently offering Josh Howard, Devin Harris, and draft picks for Garnett. The Wolves aren’t interested in Howard’s contract and want something else. A third team would probably have to get involved for a Mavs-Wolves deal to materialize.

Keep in mind: Mark Cuban is a determined SOB. If he wants Garnett, the club will do everything to acquire him.

This deal is personal for Cuban. Don Nelson, Golden State’s coach, used to work for Cuban in Dallas. Cuban believes Nelson broke his contract with the Mavericks to join the Warriors. So he’s suing Nellie. By acquiring The Big Ticket, Cuban will be preventing Nelson and the Warriors from getting Garnett. Revenge is best served cold.

The Golden State Warriors:

What we’ve learned: Don Nelson and Chris Mullin are still tinkering. First, they traded Jason Richardson. Now, they’re eyeing The Big Ticket. Bottom line: Golden State isn’t resting on last season’s success.

What’s the problem: The Warriors inconsistent history. Will they actually pull this deal off?

Keep in mind: Golden State has some attractive young players. And they’re full of surprises-just think back to last year’s playoffs.

The Los Angeles Lakers:

What we’ve learned: Los Angeles knows they can’t trade Kobe Bryant and get back equal value. Such a thing doesn’t exist. So the Lakers are attempting to appease their current superstar by bringing in another superstar like Garnett.

What’s the problem: The Wolves want prospects for K.G., but Kevin McHale, Minnesota’s GM, isn’t sold on young Andrew Bynum. His trade value nose-dived after last season’s playoffs.

Keep in mind: In two seasons, Bryant can become a free agent by exercising an opt-out clause in his contract. This gives #24 leverage.

The Phoenix Suns:

What we’ve learned: Phoenix had chemistry issues last season. The specifics remain unknown, but the problem was serious enough for the club to consider a shakeup.

What’s the problem: Phoenix wants to keep Amare Stoudemire. But they would probably have to give up STAT in any trade for Garnett. This is a tough call.

The Big Ticket may be too big a ticket for the Suns. Phoenix wants to shed payroll. Garnett has an expensive contract that calls for a multi-million dollar payment if he’s traded from Minnesota.

Keep in mind: The Suns know they have to swing a deal to capitalize on Steve Nash’s fine play at point guard. He’s only got a few seasons left.

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20 Comments: Who Will Acquire Kevin Garnett: The Dallas Mavericks, The Golden (...)

Posted by
JC
on 07.12.2007

I THINK THAT THE LAKERS WITH HAVING BACK FISHER THEY WILL GO A LITTLE MORE DEEPER INTO THE PLAYOFFS,NOW IF THEY GET KG ,THERES A BETTER CHANCE LA COULD CONTENT WITH THOSE POWERHOUSES IN THE WEST AND WIN IT ALL!!!!!!! .

Posted by
Roger
on 07.10.2007

THE COMMENT POSTED RIGHT ABOVE LELE’S IS MINE .

Posted by

on 07.10.2007

JACOB MAN R U STUCK ON STUPID THE SUNS CANT HARDLY AFFORD THE PLAYERS THEY HAVE NOW AND THEY DONT WANT STAT TO GO AND HE GETS PAID 12 MILL WHICH DEAL IS BETTER ON THE POCKETS 12 MILL OR 21 MILL TRUST ME SHAWN AINT GOING TO MINNESOTA DREAMS OF K.G. IN PHX THIS YR KISS THEM GOOD BYE .

Posted by
LELE
on 07.10.2007

PAT BURKE IS GREAT .

Posted by
knicks 4 eva
on 07.10.2007

1.2 millon is alot of money in case u did not know hes on getting paid that much because he probably wont start and hes getting old also jacob they arent looking 4 hill 2 be a leader so he wont really be a key to sucessly K.G. salary is 21 mill and the suns arent about to pay him that much when they have that do his job well so like i said either Dallas Golden State or stay in minnosota .

Posted by
knicks 4 eva
on 07.10.2007

actually Jacob from australia my girl dede is right if they wont let STAT go what the hell makes u think that bell the matrix diaw and grant r going to the timber wolves 4 for the price of 1 ahh..i think not like i said hes asking 4 to much money and it doesnt look like the matrix and hiz 15 millon dollar contract r going any where right now so phx cant afford to pay to big stars and if they arent trading any of there key players a trade seems highly unlikely the suns r a good team and adding K.G. would compound to $, and player problems phx has to deal with already K.G. is adding to the headache if the matrix waz getting traded it would have happened already happened .

Posted by
LJ BBall Fan
on 07.10.2007

The Suns whining message is getting old — find a new tune Suns’ haters. Talk about tired, tired, tired. Honestly, why bother unless you’re afraid of the team. .

Posted by
LJ BBall Fan
on 07.10.2007

If KG goes to PHX, watch out for PHX! If KG doesn’t go to PHX, watch out for PHX! With or without KG, one heck of a team, Getting Hill is not so exciting after the pre-drft hype of the KG deal but once the dust settles, it might be fun so long as he stays healthy. I just don’t see how PHX can get KG with that salary unless Sarver caves on the tax issue. Not likely. .

Posted by
Jacob from Australia
on 07.9.2007

ah... sorry knicks 4 eva but even though the suns signed grant hill they got him for a huge cut price from the 27 million he was on last year. how much??? they got him for 1.2 MILLION!!!! crazy contract that could shake up the deals here. i see grant hill and shawn marion plus maybe diaw or raja bell for KG. just watch out though if the suns trade shawn marion.... it could be a big mistake dont forget he is an all star and got serious game. .

Posted by
TRUE BURKE FAN
on 07.9.2007

PERSONALLY MAKING A DEAL FOR TO THE SUNS MAYBE FOR A STUD DOWN LOW IN THE POST LIKE PAT BURKE SEEMS LIKE A REAL GOOD DEAL....YEA I NO BURKE DONT GOT A LOT OF SPEED BUT HES LIKE A BETTER VERSION OF A ZACH RANDOLPH...THE WOLVES WOULDNT HAVE TO PAY HIM MUCH AND THEY GET EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANT...OR MAYBE TRADE GARNETT TO THE WARRIORS FOR ADOYLE FOYLE ITS LIKE THE SAME THING YOU WOULD GET WITH BURKE A STUD DOWN LOW WITH A TON OF MOVES AND A FUTURE ALL STAR OR MAYBE EVEN SUPERSTAR...IF YOUR GOING TO THE MAVS IM NOT REALLY FEELING ANYBODY BUT MAYBE MBENGA AND CROSHERE WOULD MAKE THE TIMS A PREMIERE TEAM IN THE LEAGUE......THOSE ARE YOU BEST BE KG AND FOR THE TIMBERWOLVES......EVERYONE HOLLA LET ME KNOW WHAT YALL THINK .

Posted by
knicks 4 eva
on 07.9.2007

The suns have signed grant hill 4 some reason and cant afford K.G. The lakers r like a soap opera right now with the kobe issues and r really unorganized. Dallas already has a good team and they arent letting dirk go so a trade is unlikely (50 50) golden state has money and a good team if they negotiate and he might go to G.S. hey its just a thought .

Posted by
dede
on 07.9.2007

PHX is not that stupid they arent going to give up STAT 4 K.G. thats not a good bargin .

Posted by

on 07.9.2007

F THAT HE NOT GOING TO PHX BECAUSE THEY CANT AFFORD TOPAY ANOTHER BIG STAR SO FORGET THAT .

Posted by
Garnett is going nowhere
on 07.9.2007

There is no way that KG wants to go to the Suns where whining is the standard. He wants to go to a team that can win a ring...not cry a river in the desert. He certainly won’t want to go to LA where there is more drama and ugliness than Rosie O’Donnel’s dressing room. He won’t go to Dallas where they have proven to be choke masters instead of contenders. Garnett will not go anywhere because he likes it in Minnesota and he will make much more money by staying with them. Keep dreaming that Garnett will be the hero that helps your team overcome the Spurs. .

Posted by
Rico
on 07.9.2007

Let this be a lesson to all Superstars. You ask for too much money, you end up a loser. The San Antonio Spurs have won 4 championships by keeping a modest team and salary. You may be able to afford 9 cars, but when you retire as a loser with no championships (as Gary Payton almost did) which will you rather give back: The Money or the Chips? .

Posted by

on 07.9.2007

Phoenix might be the best choice... Adding KG to the Suns roster would make them a "super team", even capable of dethroning the "boring" Spurs team. .

Posted by
macmar
on 07.9.2007

get kobe happy and get kg to LA! and make the lakers instant contenders in the deep deep west. .

Posted by
scooter libby
on 07.8.2007

The trade the Lakers should make is with the Wizards, Kobe for Arenas, Haywood and Jarvis Hayes, the Lakers get size, scoring and an outside shooter, the Wizards get scoring, attutude and improves immediately defensively. . .

Posted by

on 07.8.2007

Go get KG Phoenix...get it done and NOW! .

Posted by
wal
on 07.8.2007

i think the big ticket will end up in dallas phoenix cant take him unless they give up something valuable gs wont take him and definately lakers cant take him but ah whereva he go hell be a huge asset .

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	About Oly Sandor
Daily take on NBA Oly Sandor is an NBA analyst and sports journalist based out of Vancouver, Canada.After years of the free-lance game, Oly Sandor is bringing his unique brand of NBA analysis exclusively to (...) More

Who Will Acquire Kevin Garnett: The Dallas Mavericks, The Golden State Warriors, The L.A. Lakers, or the Phoenix Suns?

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