Blockbuster trade looms between Celtics, Nets
In the hours before the draft, a trade emerged that could create a significant shift in power in the Eastern Conference.
Boston, now in full rebuilding mode, is reportedly ready to move Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry to Brooklyn, which is coming off that first-round playoff loss to the Bulls. The Celtics would receive some combination of Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries, Reggie Evans, Keith Bogans and three first-round picks.
This trade can't happen until at least July 10, so the lack of concrete news on draft night doesn't mean much. Garnett needs to waive his no-trade clause for this deal to happen, according to reports.
Several league sources expect the trade to eventually go through. It would give the Nets a potential lineup of Pierce, Garnett, Brook Lopez, Joe Johnson and Deron Williams, with Terry coming off the bench.
Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau spent some good years in Boston as an assistant to Doc Rivers, who left for the Clippers last week.
“Sort of sad. You hate to see it and I certainly hate to see them go to Brooklyn,” Thibodeau said after the draft. “But that's the NBA. It's constant change and you have to be ready to adapt. I think it's good for them, they have an opportunity to continue on; good for the Celtics, where they can start their rebuilding; and it was good for Doc.”
Noah feels Heat on soccer field:Joakim Noah took the field at a Steve Nash Foundation charity soccer game in New York on Wednesday. Marco Belinelli also participated.Noah told USA Today that Miami's repeat championship is already weighing on him.#8220;At first I said I didn't care, but I was lying to myself,#8221; Noah said. #8220;I was driving in my car and I just didn't feel good about it at all after they won.#8220;Well you know what? It's going to be extra motivation to work extra hard in the offseason and I feel like we'll be the team that beats them next year.#8221;The Bulls have lost to the Heat in the playoffs in two of three years during the Power Trio era.#8220;I think we're pretty close,#8221; Noah added. #8220;We got a lot of work to do. We don't like them, they don't like us, but at the end of the day, you've got to give credit where credit is due. They're a very good team, but we feel like if we're healthy, we'll have our shot.#8221;Aldridge wants out:The Oregonian confirmed a Daily Herald report that Portland all-star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge has asked to be traded. Aldridge's camp has made it known that he'd like to land with the Bulls, according to a league source.At this point, there's no telling what Portland might do: Keep trying to build with Aldridge and rookie of the year Damien Lillard, or try to take a step back and earn a high pick in next year's draft, which is expected to be strong.There's no timetable for any sort of Aldridge deal, so it's probably something the Bulls will continue to explore. They do not want to trade Joakim Noah, a superior defender, for Aldridge.Local players left out:Two guys who were not drafted on Thursday were Illinois guard Brandon Paul, who attended Warren High School in Gurnee; or Illinois State power forward Jackie Carmichael. Some mock drafts had Carmichael going late in the first round.