Nets’ Kevin Garnett Error Gave Celtics Their 18th Championship – 3 Instances Where Brooklyn Ruined Their NBA Future

June 28, 2013. This date will mean different things to people all over the world. But for NBA fans, it only means one thing – the shocking Boston-Nets trade. Franchise keystones Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce were traded to Brooklyn for a rebuild. The package included role players and some draft picks. The ‘Empire State’, for its part, was looking to clinch a title.

All the signs pointed to one. The Nets had made it to the postseason for the first time since 2007, thanks to the offseason acquisition of Joe Johnson to join Deron Williams and Brook Lopez. Not to mention, they just got a shiny new head coach in Dallas legend, Jason Kidd. When the opportunity to get that ring fell right in their lap in the form of KG and ‘The Truth,’ Brooklyn did not think twice. Come to think of it, did they think at least once?

The Nets had no idea what they lost during the Boston trade

The price Brooklyn paid to get the future Hall of Famers was, in hindsight, really steep. However, the Boston Celtics simply struck gold with those. Take a look at this Instagram post by Sportscenter. “Still wild to look back at the trade that helped land Boston a title,” followed by a head-exploding emoji, aptly referring to the current situation of both teams now. The post summarized the trade succinctly.

Brooklyn received Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Jason Terry, and D. J. White. The ‘Beantown,’ for their part, got 5 players – Keith Bogans, MarShon Brooks, Kris Humphries, Kris Joseph, and Gerald Wallace. They were also proud recipients of three unprotected first-round picks (2014, 2016, 2018) and a pick swap.

You don’t need us to tell you about the 2016 and 2017 first-round picks, now, do you? The Jays’ era of Cs started with those two – Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The same franchise superstars that led Boston to their 18th title last night! While the Cs benefitted massively, the Brooklyn Nets had just taken the first step toward their downfall. Let’s take a look at the three instances that led to the ultimate demise of what should have been a top-contending team!

• The foremost, nothing but the Kevin Garnett-Paul Pierce trade

As mentioned above, the ‘Big Apple’ was shaping up to be a serious contender in the Eastern Conference. They had a championship roster that was only boosted by the presence of the ‘Big Ticket’ and Paul Pierce. Sure, they were far from their prime. But they were key pieces to the Celtics’ dynasty and veterans with 12 and 9 playoff appearances, respectively. Together, they have played in 226 postseason games! So, even if they wouldn’t play big minutes, whatever gas they had in their tank could be maximized for the Nets’ title run. Or at least that was the theory.

However, things didn’t go their way. For instance, the Nets’ 2013-14 season saw a five-game gap from the previous year, finishing with a 44-38 record. As for Pierce, he appeared in 75 games, finishing the regular season having played 28 minutes, averaging 13.5 points per game. Both these numbers were the then-lowest for the 2008 champ. It didn’t end there. The 10x All-Star signed with Washington in the offseason. And that’s how Paul Pierce said his goodbye to the Nets. What about Garnett?

KG stayed with the Nets for two seasons, playing a total of 96 games. As expected, he played minimal minutes. The 2008 DPOY’s stat line when he was traded to Minnesota was 6.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 20.4 minutes per game. He finished his stint as a -67 for the team aiming for the sky. Having faced the result of one eager decision would make you think they would have learned something. But no. The nail in the coffin was en route.

• James Harden? Yes, please!

Brooklyn’s love for Big 3 was not done yet. Once again, they were looking to create a trio of superstars who would give them a short, quick path to a championship. And that was when ‘The Beard’ was open for business. Having had a splendid 9 seasons with the Rockets, he left on a sour note. January 14, 2021, was the fateful day that the Nets welcomed Harden to Brooklyn to join Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

And the price they paid? Caris LeVert, Rodions Kurucs, three first-round picks, and four first-round pick swaps. Basically, all their trump cards. They don’t have a first-round pick this season or until 2027. We all know how the ‘Empire State’ suffered under the elite trio. From unhappy teammates to controversial situations throughout, the Nets quickly saw the mistake they made. It was just a little too little late.

• The hammer drops with the Brooklyn Nets final decision with regard to Ime Udoka

When the name Ime Udoka comes up, his improper workplace conduct, unfortunately, is the first subject that comes to mind. The fact that he is one of the best coaches out there or that he led Boston to their first NBA Finals since 2010 the year he was hired all come secondary. And it’s not anybody’s fault. However, this was also the main reason the Nets, who had been in pursuit of the man since 2016, ultimately the position going to Jacque Vaughn.

In fact, NBA reporter, Marc Stein had shared that the Nets owner, Joe Tsai was under incredible pressure to not hire Udoka. More specifically, “some strong voices [were] urging Joe Tsai to back off.”

At the time this whole drama was unfolding, the 2014 NBA champion (as a coach) was under a year-long suspension by the Cs. However, the Houston Rockets jumped in on the opportunity to get the hard-nosed coach. On April 25, 2023, they signed him as their new head coach. Since then, the Rockets’ offense and defense have seen an increased efficiency. They have legitimately arisen as a threat to look out for. There is no doubt that, for the Nets, this was like adding insult to the injury.

Not only does Houston hold their first-round picks, they also got the guy the ‘Big Apple’ had been looking forward to as their coach. Suffice it to say that the Brooklyn Nets fumbled big time in their decision-making. What more can we say about a team so down on their luck as the Nets?

 But before you go, be sure to check this video of Leonardo Armato’s take on Caitlin Clark vs Angel Reese.

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