The Brooklyn Nets made the blockbuster trade deal with the Boston Celtics that brought Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Jason Terry to town, but before everything was finalize there were questions on whether Garnett would waive his no-trade clause to make the move a reality.
In a New York Post article, Garnett revealed some of the factors that brought him to choose Brooklyn over Boston.
"Being able to build something," he said after yesterday's press conference introducing the three newest Nets. "The bones of this, to be able to play with Deron Williams and Brook Lopez, Joe Johnson. ... I feel like this was one of the better opportunities I've had since I've been in the league."
But Garnett is famously known for his loyalty, so it took some convincing on behalf of the Nets to get him here. Both Williams and new coach Jason Kidd put on their recruiting shoes and made calls to Garnett on draft night, but the most persuasive argument came from his teammate and friend.
"I talked to Jason Kidd, and he was warming me to the [possibility] of coming to Brooklyn," Pierce said. "Then he started warming me to the fact that they were trying to get Kevin, too. That's when I called Kevin and asked what he thought about coming to Brooklyn."
Garnett even revealed that he even contemplated retirement, but in the end the opportunity to chase a second championship with Pierce was an opportunity he couldn't pass up.
"I don't like change much," Garnett said. "Once I commit to something, I like to go full throttle. It's unfortunate ... but when I saw the Doc Rivers situation [unfold], I kind of knew the writing was on the wall.
"I have my connections there. It was tough leaving [Rajon] Rondo and other things. But, like I said, it's a new chapter, new things to embrace. That's what I'm doing."
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