Kevin Garnett appeared to be toying with retirement throughout the season, but it was unknown just how serious he was about the idea. The NBA veteran normally brought up the idea towards the end of his last few seasons, but never acted upon it seriously. The Boston Celtics were always confident that he would return. As trade rumors swirled around he and other teammates, Garnett almost pulled the trigger on retirement.
While on a promotional tour in China promoting his sneaker collection with Anta, Garnett told Sina Sports that if he and Paul Pierce were going to be separated, he would have retired. Both players had rumors surrounding them for much of the final months of the season. At one point, it appeared Garnett was actually going to be headed to the Los Angeles Clippers without Pierce, but with head coach Doc Rivers. Instead, it was only Rivers that left.
Garnett possessed the upper hand the entire time, holding on to one of the few no-trade clauses left in the NBA. He had the right to determine whether or not he would be leaving Boston. When Pierce appeared to be on the way out, Garnett waived the clause and the option of retirement.
CelticsLife.com reported the moderator of the interview asked, "Can you say if the transaction is only you, no Pierce, you would choose to reject it?" Garnett responded, "I would refuse, if I was traded away, I would choose to retire, without a doubt, I would choose a direct retired."
Instead, Pierce and Garnett will start the season off with the Brooklyn Nets. Pierce made comments in the offseason that he had to call Garnett and convince him to let this trade happen. The two planned on playing together and Pierce knew this was the best situation.
The trade worked out for everyone. The Nets got there super star lineup in order to be a contender in the championship race. Pierce and Garnett got the chance to continue playing together once it looked like Boston was no longer an option. Garnett also won big time because the veteran got the Nets to sign him to a contract worth $12 million in guaranteed cash through the 2014-15 season.
