In these trying times for Boston Celtics fans anxiously clinging to hope for a blockbuster deal in the works for years, I'd like to share a memory of mine about the last time we were in that position.
It was a little less than 12 years ago, and recently-minted Celtics General Manager Danny Ainge had just worked out a deal with former teammate and then-Minnesota Timberwolves GM Kevin McHale for a certain marquee player you have probably already divined.
Said a one Marc Stein (then of ESPN):
"The proposed trade that would have sent Kevin Garnett to Boston, agreed to in principle by ex-teammates Kevin McHale and Danny Ainge, was taken off the table Thursday after Garnett got word to the Celtics that he doesn't want to play for them.