Kevin Garnett would have retired if not traded with Paul Pierce

Kevin Garnett was in no mood to continue his basketball career if he were separated from Paul Pierce.

Pierce and KG have been teammates since the former Minnesota Timberwolves MVP was traded to the Boston Celtics prior to the 2008-2009 season. They won a championship together in their first year and made the Celtics title contenders in each subsequent season. The relationship between the two goes back to their AAU days in high school, so they’re tighter than many realize. Because of all that, Garnett says he would have retired if he and Pierce weren’t traded together.

Garnett is in China and answered fan questions in an online chat, as far as I can tell. Here’s what KG said via Sina Sports (it’s been translated by Google):

Moderator: Can you say if the transaction object is only you, no Pierce, you would choose to reject it?

Kevin Garnett: I would refuse, for sure, if I am a man was traded away, I would choose to retire, without a doubt, I would choose a direct retired.

Moderator: I heard that after this season you ready to retire?

Kevin Garnett: That is a rumor, I was thinking just want to find a good place, and now Jason – Terry, Paul – Pierce told me to go with the Nets, the Nets have done coach Kidd I think for me is a good choice, I went, really looking forward to next season.

The translation is choppy, but you can tell what Garnett was saying. It says a lot about his relationship with Pierce that he wanted to stick together with his buddy.

At 37 years old, Garnett has had a long career and was considering retirement. But he, Pierce and Jason Terry are on a good team with the Brooklyn Nets and will be competing for the Eastern Conference championship. KG may avoid playing back-to-back nights to save his body, but he still has enough to help them.

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