Kevin Garnett holds all the cards when it comes to his future. Just like last season, the Boston Celtics are playing the wait-and-see game when it comes to the veteran. They are currently awaiting word from Garnett before moving on with the rest of their offseason moves. ESPN.com's Jackie MacMullan reports that Garnett is looking to return for one more year and fulfill the contract he signed with the Celtics.
"Who holds the cards? Kevin Garnett. Kevin Garnett may or may not need surgery. We haven't heard either way. That might determine whether he wants to come back for another year. I'm hearing that he wants to come back for one year. That's what I'm hearing right now," MacMullan said.
Garnett has a no-trade clause in his contract. He can either play out one more year of his deal or retire. While the team is waiting on Garnett, the veteran is waiting for Boston to say what they are doing with Paul Pierce. Garnett likely will not want to return if the Celtics plan on shipping Pierce off in a trade.
In 2013, the Celtics will either be rebuilding or they will have one or two other players to help Pierce, Garnett and Rajon Rondo win a championship. Pierce is owed $15 million next season. Boston is not too thrilled about paying that. Danny Ainge is deciding whether a trade or buy out with Pierce is at all possible. He likely will not get much in a trade for aging veterans so he is in favor of keeping the band all together.
Ainge will be forced to contemplate whether or not the core group that won a championship back in 2008 can do it again? Since then, they have made one NBA Finals appearance and one conference finals appearance. If the Celtics chose to move forward and send Pierce backing, Garnett will likely call it a career. He has made hints at retirement earlier in the season, leaving many to believe that he actually considering going through with it this time.
If Pierce comes back and Boston pays him the $15 million, they will rely the group that limped to the playoffs to try and pull off a stronger season. Rondo will be back at full health at some point and Boston could try and get Utah's Paul Millsap or Al Jefferson to assist in what they have now.
Nothing will happen until Garnett gives formal plans on his future. Whether it is one more year in Boston or heading off to retirement land, the Celtics are looking for an answer.