It is almost official - Kevin Garnett will join the Boston Celtics. All that is left are the official announcements:

“…The package going back to Minnesota, sources say, is built around two assets Wolves vice president Kevin McHale has long coveted: Al Jefferson and Theo Ratliff’s expiring contract.

It is believed the deal also calls for the Celtics to ship youngsters Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair and Ryan Gomes to Minnesota, along with a future first-round draft pick and the return of a first-rounder the Wolves surrendered in the Wally Szczerbiak-Ricky Davis trade in January 2006.”

link: Sources: Celtics, Wolves agree to Garnett megadeal

With Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett joining Paul Pierce, the Celtics will be expected to be a playoff team. The trade instantly elevates the Celtics as one of the elite teams in their division. The trade also crushes the hopes and dreams of the Lakers fans. There will not be any Kevin Garnett - Kobe Bryant tandem. And it would not be surprising to hear more ‘trade-me’ requests from Kobe soon.

Catherine Forsythe

Tags: nba, trade, boston celtics, minnesota timberwolves, l.a. lakers, kobe bryant, playoffs