Kevin Garnett was traded by the Brooklyn Nets to the Minnesota Timberwolves in February, and Paul Pierce said his former teammate is in a good place now.

"He's happy,'' Pierce said. "I'm glad he waived his no-trade clause. I told him, 'They don't appreciate you in Brooklyn, man.' They didn't even use him right.

"He's where he's supposed to be. He IS Minnesota. He never sold his house there.''

Pierce wanted to remain with the Brooklyn Nets in order to stay with Garnett.

"I would have stayed in Brooklyn because of Kevin,'' Pierce said. "I told him, 'I don't really like this situation but I would never leave you if you want me to stay.' But they decided not to re-sign me so I never had to make a choice. I would never have left Kevin like that.''