LOY's PLACE a celtics green blog: Rumor Mill is Working Overtime

Wow! Every time I turned around today there was a new rumor out there. It started with the Herald this morning that reported that the Celtics and Timberwolves are both still in talks and the Garnett to Boston trade isn't dead yet.

Despite reports to the contrary, sources confirmed last night there is still life to a Celtics [team stats] deal for Kevin Garnett. It was also stated strongly that the club would never make such a move before it had an agreement with the Timberwolves star on a contract extension.

Then, ESPN.com was reporting that the Lakers and Wolves were in talks about Garnett to LA and that a possible 4th team could be involved.

The Los Angeles Times cited league sources on Monday saying that the Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves are in discussions that could bring Kevin Garnett to Los Angeles.
Trade discussions have involved the Lakers, Wolves, Pacers and possibly a fourth team. The report says that the Lakers would get Garnett, while the Pacers would land Los Angeles forward Lamar Odom and center Andrew Bynum. The Wolves would likely acquire a lottery pick and young players. Another team would also have to be involved to make the deal work financially.
Sources told ESPN and ESPN.com that the fourth team at this point is the Celtics, who would get Jermaine O'Neal from the Pacers.

Chad Ford jumped on the wagon and presented this scenario.

For instance, here's one scenario that could work:
The Wolves send Kevin Garnett and Marko Jaric to the Lakers.
The Lakers send Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum to the Pacers and the No. 19 pick to the Wolves.
The Pacers send O'Neal to the Celtics.
The Celtics send the No. 5 pick, Theo Ratliff, Gerald Green and Sebastian Telfair to Minnesota.
The deal seems as though it probably would work for the Lakers, Pacers and Celtics.
The Lakers would get the guy they want to pair with Kobe in KG. Surely that would end any talk of a Kobe trade this summer.
The Pacers would get the two guys they want in exchange for O'Neal in Odom and Bynum. They've been waiting patiently for a straight-up swap with L.A. for weeks involving those three players (and a draft pick).
The Celtics would get another star quality player to pair with Paul Pierce without having to give up Jefferson

Then, while everyone was still discussing these trade scenarios, and before the ink was dry on Ford's column, the LA Times reported that the talks broke down and it was back to 2 way discussions between LA and Minny.

The talks turned into discussions about a four-way deal among the Lakers, Minnesota, Indiana and Boston, in which the Lakers would have gotten Garnett. However, the deal broke down, reportedly because the Celtics didn't like what they would have gotten, ending the four-way negotiations.
The Lakers are now back to direct two-team talks with the Timberwolves. However, sources say, Minnesota Vice President of Basketball Operations Kevin McHale wants young players and high draft choices and isn't keen on the Lakers offer of Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom, plus another minor player to make the trade work financially.

AZ Central picked up on the trade talks and reported this:

The talks turned into discussions about a four-way deal among the Lakers, Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics, in which the Lakers would have gotten Garnett. However, the deal broke down, reportedly because the Celtics did not like what they would have gotten, ending the four-way negotiations.
he Lakers are now back to direct two-team talks with the Timberwolves. However, sources say, Minnesota General Manager Kevin McHale wants young players and high draft choices and isn't keen on the Lakers' offer of Andrew Bynum, who is young (19), and Lamar Odom (27), who isn't.

True Hoop has this speculation to add to the smoke out there.

Also, I'm wondering if the Celtics would go for oft-injured Jermaine O'Neal when they have been dreaming about turning that fifth pick into the likes of Kevin Garnett or Shawn Marion. Also, have you noticed that the Suns are working out top lottery talent tomorrow? The workout reportedly will include studs like Corey Brewer, Joakim Noah, and Jeff Green. If agents think those guys might end up in Phoenix, I'm guessing that means those agents think a major Sun like Shawn Marion could be headed somewhere high in the lottery, and Boston has to be one of the most likely destinations.

ESPN was reporting two different versions of the trade on Sports Center with one including Jefferson and the other not including him. Also reported was that Kobe still wants out of LA even if Garnett comes there.

In the meantime, FSN is reporting that Danny will be going to Phoenix to view the Brewer, Noah, Green workout tomorrow. Rumors are already circulating that he is going to discuss a trade or try to convince Marion to come to Boston. Or, he may be planning to make the pick at this time and just wants to see these 3 guys work out, especially since Green didn't work out against competition during the first workout.

Things are changing every hour and it seems that every time I refresh my browser there is another new rumor out there. Do these rumors even have substance behind them? Who is putting them out to the media? I am starting to believe that most of them are just posturing by teams or some reporter reading a message board. Regardless, we will keep you up to date on any breaking news or rumors as we get them. 3 days until the draft and a lot could happen in those 3 days. Stay tuned.

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