“Almost Purple, Forever Green”: The Kevin Garnett Deal That Nearly Changed NBA History
Boston, MA โ August 1, 2025
Long before Kevin Garnett became the snarling heart and soul of the 2008 champion Boston Celtics, he was a phone call away from donning the purple and gold of their fiercest rivals: the Los Angeles Lakers.
Itโs a story often whispered in league circles but rarely acknowledged outright. In a recent interview celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Celtics’ 2008 title run, Garnett confirmed what many speculated: he was moments from committing to the Lakers in the summer of 2007.
> โYeah,โ Garnett said, staring off as if replaying the scene in his mind. โIt was real close, man. Kobe and I had talked. I respected his fire. And the Lakers were aggressive. It almost happened.โ
At the time, the Minnesota Timberwolves were actively shopping their 10-time All-Star, and the Lakers had a compelling package centered around young talent and picks. Garnett was intrigued. So was Kobe Bryant, who personally called Garnett to sell him on a partnership.
But then, Danny Ainge made the move that shifted the NBA landscape: he dealt for Ray Allen, signaling to Garnett that Boston was not just serious โ it was all-in.
> โI remember Ray called me, Paul [Pierce] called me, even Doc [Rivers],โ Garnett said. โThey werenโt just building something โ they were building it around brotherhood, defense, and legacy. That hit different.โ
Garnett waived his no-trade clause days later. The rest is Boston lore.
A Champion Born in Green
What followed was one of the most culture-shifting trades in NBA history. Garnettโs arrival in Boston redefined the franchiseโs identity, transforming a team that had missed the playoffs into an instant powerhouse.
His defensive intensity, unfiltered emotion, and team-first mentality made him the anchor of the Celticsโ Big Three, alongside Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. In 2008, they delivered the cityโs first NBA title in 22 years, defeating โ ironically โ the very Lakers he nearly joined.
> โThat chip was more than a ring,โ Garnett said. โIt was validation. It was family. It was war. And it was sweet because it came in green.โ
Garnett played six seasons in Boston, earning Defensive Player of the Year, five All-Defensive honors, and eternal love from the TD Garden faithful. His fiery pregame rituals and iconic screams of โAnything is possible!โ became symbols of Boston pride.
And in 2022, the Celtics made it official โ raising Garnettโs No. 5 jersey to the rafters alongside Russell, Bird, and Havlicek.
> โHe couldโve been a Laker,โ said former teammate Kendrick Perkins, shaking his head. โBut he became a Celtic โ and not just any Celtic. One of the most beloved in history.โ
Legacy Cemented
In todayโs NBA, where loyalty is rare and rivalries often diluted, Garnettโs choice to go green โ and stay green โ means even more. He didnโt just win a title. He revived a dynasty.
> โLooking back?โ Garnett grinned. โL.A. had sunshine, sure. But Boston had grit. And grit? Thatโs forever.โ
Would you like an alternate ending that imagines what could’ve happened if he’d gone to L.A.?
