(AFP)
Updated: 2007-08-01 09:12

BOSTON, United States - Kevin Garnett was traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Boston Celtics on Monday, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported, citing an undisclosed source.

Newly-acquired Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett, center, stands with forward Paul Pierce, left, and guard Ray Allen during a news conference in Boston, Tuesday, July 31, 2007. The Celtics sent the Minnesota Timberwolves forwards Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes and Gerald Green, guard Sebastian Telfair and center Theo Ratliff, two first-round draft picks and cash considerations in the trade for Garnett. [AP]

The deal brings together all-starosed forward Garnett with long-time Celtics playmaker Paul Pierce and veteran guard Ray Allen to make Boston a force to contend with in the National Basketball Association after years of struggles.

None of the three have ever been able to claim an NBA championship despite years of success on the court. And with all in their 30s, the chances to pull off a title run might hinge upon all of them coming together as a team.

Garnett was traded for forwards Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes and Gerald Green, center Theo Ratliff, guard Sebastian Telfair as well as two future first-round NBA Draft picks, according to the report.

The Celtics were 24-58 last season, the NBA's second-worst record, and have not won a playoff series since 2003.

Garnett has the right to opt out of his 22 million-dollar contract after next season and solving that issue was said to be among the things that made the trade difficult to achieve.

But Garnett is expected to receive a multi-year extension and reportedly has agreed to waive a clause that would hurt the Celtics' under NBA salary cap rules.

The Celtics and Timberwolves had discussed the deal before last month's NBA Draft. Top executies Danny Ainge of the Celtics and Kevin McHale of the Timberwolves are friends from their playing days in Boston.

Garnett, the league Most Valuable Player in 2004, spent his entire 12-year career with Minnesota. He has career averages of 20.5 points and 11.4 rebounds in 927 games.

Allen has a 21.5-point career scoring average. Pierce's is 23.6 points a game.

Garnett, 31, averaged 22.4 points and 12.8 rebounds last season.