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5 alternate timelines for Kevin Garnett

By Dave Stevenson

Jan 19, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett reacts from the bench during the second half of a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Timberwolves 114-99. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 19, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett reacts from the bench during the second half of a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Timberwolves 114-99. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images /

1. What if the Timberwolves traded him to the Lakers?

It would be really weird seeing Kevin Garnett in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform after seeing the Celtics and Lakers duke it out in two NBA Finals. But it almost happened back in 2007, according to the oral history of his career.

"The Lakers offered a package built around multi-skilled forward Lamar Odom and 19-year-old center Andrew Bynum, a promising second-year player who would eventually become an All-Star. Odom had a history of flaky behavior, however, and Bynum was unproven."

Minnesota eventually accepted the Celtics’ offer, which wasn’t as strong as the Lakers’ offer. The NBA landscape and Garnett’s career would be quite different had he been traded to the Lakers.

Back in 2007, Andrew Bynum was still a promising player. He is known today as a complete bust, showing general managers the danger in overvaluing your players. With Garnett, the Lakers would have a strong core of Kobe Bryant and Garnett.

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However, they probably don’t pull off the Pau Gasol trade. Consider that to be a wash since Garnett was a monster until he got old. But the Lakers still potentially wind up with a Gasol since they drafted Marc Gasol in the 2008 NBA Draft. That’s one ridiculous frontcourt.

If Garnett goes to the Lakers instead of the Celtics, he wins numerous titles. It’s not likely a Garnett and Bryant duo lasts long, but they would accomplish quite a bit in a short period of time.

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