Everyone Wants Kevin Garnett - But What Does He Want?

Kevin Garnett is a free agent. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think that's ever happened before. He's always re-signed for the maximum amount (or for so much that the league felt like it had to start setting maximum amounts). So now that he's "old" and "on his last legs," we'll see just how much interest that teams have in him. Note: there's a lot.

The Nets have been whispering to anyone caring to listen for months that they'd love to have Garnett in Brooklyn. The latest gossip is that the Spurs would love to have him too.

KG intrigues San Antonio? Get in line - Boston Celtics Blog - ESPN Boston

The Spurs will consider everything and everyone this summer when free agency begins. But one option tossed out this weekend by one in the Spurs organization is not just another name. Kevin Garnett... Some will have more money to offer than the Spurs will. Some might have more young talent to put around him. All the Spurs could give Garnett is the closest thing to what he had in Boston, a veteran core with a chance to contend.

Every team would love to have him even if not every team has a realistic chance.

The thing is, does he want any of them? Does he even want the Celtics at this point? Word is that he's still considering retirement.

Boston Celtics are in good hands with Doc Rivers - ESPN Boston

Garnett's trusted friend Sam Cassell said KG was still talking about retiring as recently as 10 days ago, but Cassell was trying to persuade him otherwise. Cassel's advice: Play as long as you can. "KG is a loyal guy," Cassell said. "I can't see him playing for anyone else except Doc at this point."

As several others have pointed out, he's a fiercely loyal guy. He's not going to chase a ring and he's clearly got plenty of cash. He might not accept a veteran minimum contract purely out of pride, but I could see him telling Doc and Danny to figure something out that keeps him in Boston while adding a piece or two around Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo.

But I could also see him walking away while he can still walk. He's got more miles those long legs than anyone rightly should and every inch has been a battle because that's how he plays day in and day out. Maybe he'll just decide that he gave it his all and he just can't do this to his body anymore. If he does, nobody in the world would fault him or question his desire.

I'm greedy, so I'm hoping he comes back. But if he doesn't, I'm happy to see him go out on his own terms.