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Brooklyn Nets Trade Rumors: Kevin Garnett Returning Home?

By Kenneth Teape

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Brooklyn Nets Trade Rumors: Is Kevin Garnett Returning Home To Twin Cities?

The Brooklyn Nets effectively made everyone available when they announced that Joe Johnson, Deron Williams and Brook Lopez were all available in trade. One player that fell through the cracks, and with reason, was Kevin Garnett.

The veteran power forward was rumored to potentially be a buyout candidate with the Nets, but that route may not longer be available because a team is rumored to want to trade for Garnett. That team may surprise some people, but when you really think about it there would be no better place for Garnett to seemingly end his career; the Minnesota Timberwolves.

According to Marc Stein, the Timberwolves are making a late push to bring Garnett back home to where his career started.

It would be nice to see Garnett end his career where it started, as it would be a fitting end to what has been a Hall of Fame career. It would be a nice sentiment, because on the court Garnett is way past his prime and no longer much of a force while playing. This season, the 38-year old Garnett is putting up near career lows across the board. His 6.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 0.3 blocks per game are lowest for his career other than last season or his rookie campaign. Garnett no longer finishes games for the Nets, and only starts games because of his status as a veteran.

There was strong indications that Garnett was going to hang it up after last season, especially with Paul Pierce moving on from the Nets to the Washington Wizards. Garnett decided to come back and finish out his contract, and who could blame him; do you know anyone that would pass up nearly $12.5 million to play basketball.

While Garnett wouldn’t be going to the Timberwolves to save their season, and it would be hard to imagine the Nets asking for much in a return package, they still need to have something coming back to them. According to Stein, the Nets could actually getting back a solid package headlined by Thaddeus Young.

If the Nets were able to land Young in exchange for Garnett, it would represent a massive upgrade in the front court. Garnett is obviously over the hill, but Young is still a player capable of providing above average stats. His numbers are down from last season, but 14.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game are still solid numbers. He would be a great complimentary piece in the starting lineup, and would help push the Nets closer to a playoff spot as he would provide much more positive impact on the game than Garnett has this season.

Alas, this could all be for nothing as Garnett has a full no-trade clause. It would not be a surprise to see Garnett decline a trade to a team in the position of the Timberwolves, as this time they are not contending for an NBA Championship, let alone a playoff spot, which could go against what Garnett would be looking for at this stage in his career.

Or, Garnett could like the whole nostalgia thing, and want to return to the place he started his storied career. Whichever he may decide, at the end of the day it is his decision and solely his decision. If the Timberwolves are the only team that wants to trade for him, Garnett could exercise his no-trade clause and wait for a buyout. Then, he could pick which team he would want to sign with. The Los Angeles Clippers would probably be at the top of that list, as they have a need for a power forward currently and the chance to play for Doc Rivers again is something that has enticed Garnett since the two were separated two offseasons ago.

Next: What lessons did we learn from Brooklyn Nets' first 52 games?

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