Celtics director of basketball operations Danny Ainge acknowledged yesterday that he has talked with the Minnesota Timberwolves about a potential trade for Kevin Garnett.
However, Ainge refused to comment about a published report that had the Celts shipping Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, Theo Ratliff and the fifth pick in next week’s NBA draft for the All-Star forward.
A league source confirmed the teams have talked but are not close to a deal.
Ainge added that based on conversations and calls from other teams, he has not heard a proposal that would make him part with the No. 5 pick.
"A lot of people attempt to make trades for that pick that are one-sided," he said. "So there’s nothing going on for the pick yet."
Taking all the rumors together, it sounds like the Wolves are calling around, trying to create a bidding war atmosphere for KG. By tossing out names like Jefferson and Stoudamire, they are setting the bar high. However, I would imagine that the counter offers are going to be much lower. It is up to the teams to work out something in the middle.