Los Angeles Clippers Have “Backed Off” Trying to Acquire Kevin Garnett

The Los Angeles Clippers were in the thick of a pretty intense trade rumor all week long when they seemed to be very close to acquiring Doc Rivers and Kevin Garnett from the Boston Celtics. But after some intense talks and false starts on a trade, it appears as though the Clippers have lost out on getting Rivers and have “backed off” in their attempts to acquire Garnett.

According to The Boston Globe:

"As for the 37-year-old Kevin Garnett, the Clippers have backed off trying to acquire the All-Star big man for now, a league source said. The fiercely loyal Garnett has a rare no-trade clause in his contract, which has two years left on it worth nearly $24 million, though only half of the $12 million he’s due the second year is guaranteed."

That no-trade clause and Garnett’s loyalty that Baxter Holmes mentioned is very important in this whole situation. Notice that Paul Pierce’s name has been in and out of trade rumors but Garnett’s has been very closely attached to Rivers and wherever he’s been rumored to be going. When Rivers was rumored to be going to Los Angeles, Garnett’s name followed soon after. Now that Rivers and the Clippers no longer seem to be a fit, Garnett’s future seems to be in Boston until Rivers says otherwise about his own future.

Garnett could end up in Los Angeles but he’s likely not going to be making any decisions without Rivers first making his decision. All of this really means that Celtics fans will have to continue to wait until for closure in this situation but when it comes it will come quick and clustered.