The Brooklyn Nets made a blockbuster move last offseason to acquire Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce in a trade with the Boston Celtics. The two veterans were considered a package deal after Ray Allen departed to the Miami Heat and Rajon Rondo worked to recover from a torn ACL. A year later the Nets are dealing with a disappointing ending to the postseason and the risk of losing both Pierce and Garnett this summer. However, one player looks to return which could mean both are back in Brooklyn in 2014.
Garnett is a future hall of fame player with nothing left to prove. His legacy has already been made. So what is the allure of returning for one more year after he averaged his lowest amount of playing time in his career in 2013-14? Garnett has a player option he has the choice to pickup or decline. With likely no other team looking to add him for one year, it appears Garnett is going to pickup the option and play one more season in Brooklyn.
According to the New York Post, Garnett will play out the final year of his contract, worth $12 million. While it is still not a guarantee, all indications say that Garnett will not pass up on the chance to make that amount of money considering no other team will get that to him.
With Garnett back on the roster, does that mean Pierce comes back? The forward is a free agent this summer and admits he has not considered what his future holds for next season. Pierce and Garnett only agreed to a Boston trade because they got to go together. With Garnett staying in Brooklyn, could that lead Pierce to re-sign as well? The forward likely wants to be with a team contending for a championship. That could be the Nets if all the pieces comeback together and that includes Pierce and Garnett.
Pierce will have some suitors. He told the media after the postseason loss that he believes he can play at least two more seasons in the league. Contract size might play a factor, but the readiness to win will be the biggest. The Los Angeles Clippers are ready for him. A reunion with Doc Rivers could be a an option. Pierce is a California native.
Is there a possibility the Boston Celtics get Pierce back? The forward has admitted that he never truly wanted to leave Boston in the first place. However, the Celtics are still a season or two away from contending. With Pierce and Garnett back and Deron Williams hopefully in better shape, the Nets could be an easy favorite for a solid playoff run.
