The general consensus heading into the 2011/12 season suggested it could be the last run for the Celtics' Big Three before a rebuild, but that view has since shifted. While Ray Allen may not be back in Boston next season, it's looking more likely that the Celtics will try to retain Kevin Garnett for at least one more year. According to Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald, Garnett may hold off on making a decision until he gets an idea of the Celtics' approach and the other players they'll attempt to sign.
"Kevin’s very loyal, and he hates change," a source told Bulpett.
"But I think it’d be hard for him to come back if it’s a total rebuild. If he’s going to play, he has to be playing for something…. I think he’ll wait to see what’s going to happen. If [GM] Danny [Ainge] can give him a solid answer right away, then maybe he gives them an answer, too. But KG’s going to want to know who he’ll be playing with."
Bulpett also hears from the same source that it may be difficult for Garnett to accept the Celtics bringing in a free agent who makes big money and has a lesser role than KG. However, that's an unlikely scenario. Besides the fact that there simply aren't many big-name free agents for the Celtics to target, the team may not have the room to pursue one anyway. If the C's re-sign Garnett for even half of last year's salary, and also bring back Brandon Bass and Jeff Green, the club wouldn't have a ton of cap space left over to use on a top-tier free agent.
Although Bulpett suggests that Garnett may be waiting on the Celtics before he decides whether to re-sign, the situation will require some give and take. Garnett's cap hold amounts to $22MM+, so the Celtics won't even have the room to sign free agents until they ink Garnett to a new deal that would reduce his cap hit.
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