The Boston Celtics haven?t instilled fear in their opponents for quite some time. The duo of Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker couldn?t get the Green over the hump, and Pierce has been stuck in NBA purgatory ever since Walker was dealt by Ainge a few years ago.

Although some members of the media (i.e. Andrew Perna) have been critical of GM Danny Ainge, he did a wonderful job of stockpiling exceptional young talent through the draft in recent years. Boston may not have been very good, but they were certainly fun to watch. At times they played with enough energy to bring the most dormant Celtics fan to his feet. However, their inexperience could just as easily bring the same fanatic to his knees.

There aren?t many teams in the Eastern Conference you can say this about, but you might as well write in Boston for the 2008 NBA Playoffs. Go ahead, use a permanent marker.

The Timberwolves have been exciting for a long time thanks to Kevin Garnett, one of the league?s most entertaining and passionate players. Throughout his stay in Minnesota he was criticized for a lack of success, despite the weak supporting cast he carried most seasons. Garnett will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest players in NBA history, not to mention the confidence he give high school players in jumping straight to the pros, and now he?ll put on one of the most respected uniforms in all of sports.

The Boston End of the Deal
I think it?s safe to assume that Danny Ainge is subscribing to the tri-star philosophy. How can you go wrong when you have three all-star caliber players on your roster? Pierce has always been one of the most underrated players in the League, Ray Allen has always been one of the game?s best shooters, and Garnett is one of the most dynamic players in the world.

In the short term, it looks like Ainge fleeced Celtic legend Kevin McHale. Doc Rivers will be coaching one of the League?s most talented starting line-ups, despite the fact that the trade has left the rest of the roster depleted. The trio of superstars each has their own unique skill set, something that should maximize their individual talents.

Garnett will patrol the interior for the Celtics, with Allen playing on the perimeter and Pierce playing in between. Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins will probably round out the starting five for Rivers, but it?s really the big three that matter.

The only thing that worries me about this deal is what?s going to happen to Boston in three or four years. When the season starts Pierce, Allen, and Garnett will all be over thirty years of age. The numbers aren?t set in stone yet, but the trio will earn roughly $54.3 million next season. That?s less than a million dollars under the 2007-2008 salary cap. Even if the Celtics? ownership doesn?t mind paying a little extra to contend, that doesn?t leave them much financial flexibility to add complementary pieces to their star-studded roster.

While Boston will become one of the hottest tickets in League over night, they severely depleted their roster to acquire Garnett. Trading Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, and Gerald Green to Minnesota will hurt them a few seasons from now. Not to mention the pair of draft picks McHale got from the usually pick-happy Ainge.

Right now this deal gets an A+, but in a few years it could put the Celtics back in the basement if father time isn?t kind to the new triple threat. That?s why I?m dropping the grade down a few notches?

Grade for Boston: A-

The Minnesota End of the Deal
If you?re going to trade your best player, and the greatest player in the history of the franchise, you?re going to have to get a surplus of young talent in return. And while McHale certainly has his critics as well, that?s exactly what he did in making this deal.

I don?t think it?s a stretch to predict that the Timberwolves might even eclipse their 2006-2007 win total when you consider the talent and depth they now possess. Not only did they acquire two additional draft picks for the future, but they added Gomes, Jefferson and Green to play alongside young guns like Corey Brewer, Randy Foye and Rashard McCants. They could be looking to contend in the Western Conference before long.

In addition to the depth they acquired they also lowered their payroll quite a bit. With the expiring contracts of Theo Ratliff (also in the Boston deal), Ricky Davis and Eddie Griffin coming off the books at the end of season the Timberwolves payroll will be hovering somewhere in the $37 million range for the 2008-2009 season. That will give McHale enough cash to pursue veterans to bolster their young core next summer.

At first glance this deal looks slightly one-sided. The Celtics are going to experience success before the Timberwolves, but if Minnesota has to deal Garnett ? this is the trade they want to make. Don?t scoff at the idea of giving Minnesota a higher grade on this one, the deal could potentially make them better now and in the future. The same cannot be said about the Celtics.

Grade for Minnesota: A

Wow. Deals like this don?t come around too often. What do you think of the blockbuster trade between the Celtics and Timberwolves? Weigh in and you might see some of your stuff in the next ?Beyond The Arc? [email protected]