Blockbuster Deal Could Re-Shape NBA's Eastern Conf.
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – After capturing a second-straight NBA championship, everyone is still chasing the Miami Heat and that chase may be about to pick up steam in Brooklyn.
According to Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, the Brooklyn Nets and the Boston Celtics are discussing a blockbuster trade that could include multiple players and draft picks. The focus of the trade would be to bring Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Nets.
Wojnarowski said the trade would be as follows: the Nets would receive KG, Paul Pierce, and possibly another player like Jason Terry or Courtney Lee in exchange for Gerald Wallace, the expiring deal of Kris Humphries, Tomike Shengelia, and three future first-round picks.
One key sticking point could be Garnett's no-trade clause which he would have to waive in order for the trade to move forward.
If Brooklyn acquired Pierce and Garnett, it would be for a one season push to unseat the Heat at the top of the Eastern Conference. The Nets would have a powerful starting lineup of guards Deron Williams and Joe Johnson, Pierce, Garnett, and talented center Brook Lopez.
Boston would shed Pierce's $15.3 million salary plus Garnett's $12.4 million payout in 2013. The team would take on Wallace's deal of approximately $10 million per season and get Humphries' $12 million salary which would come off the books in the summer of 2014.
That would leave the Celtics with just more than $30 million in salary commitments for the 2014 free agent class which will include all three of the Heat's Big Three. The Celtics would also be armed with multiple first-round draft picks for at least three upcoming drafts.
