Only Garnett Can Trade Garnett

The Los Angeles Times are reporting that the Lakers are in trade talks with Minnesota, Indiana, and a fourth team in order to acquire Kevin Garnett. While negotiations are a step in the right direction for LA, Minnesota has to reciprocate interest before it means anything.

The Lakers will never acquire Garnett on negotiations alone because they simply don't have enough to coerce Minnesota into letting KG go. The only way they can get him is if Garnett becomes a nuisance and demands a trade. Kevin McHale is never going to voluntarily give him up for Odom and Bynum (who would?). But if Garnett can tie his hands and force him to take the best deal available, he could be playing in Tinseltown next year.

Unfortunately for the Lakers, Garnett has yet to take such a stance. KG's reiterated that he likes it in Minnesota and might not be so inclined to playing with Kobe Bryant. While he's not opposed to a change of scenery, he isn't demanding one. The Sixers would've never dealt Iverson for Andre Miller had Iverson not necessitated a trade. Until the Big Ticket decides he's had enough with the Timberwolves, he has no shot at playing in Hollywood.