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NBA Trade Deadline Tracker: Mayhem Ensues

By Phil Watson

Jan 31, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic (1) looks for a foul call against the Golden State Warriors in the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic (1) looks for a foul call against the Golden State Warriors in the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 5, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Thaddeus Young (33) drives to the basket past Brooklyn Nets center Kevin Garnett (2) during the third quarter at the Barclays Center. The Timberwolves defeated the Nets 98-91. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Thaddeus Young (33) drives to the basket past Brooklyn Nets center Kevin Garnett (2) during the third quarter at the Barclays Center. The Timberwolves defeated the Nets 98-91. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Garnett returns to Minnesota, Young to Nets

In the feel-good, sort of, trade of the day, the Minnesota Timberwolves will reacquire forward Kevin Garnett from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for forward Thaddeus Young.

The Timberwolves traded Garnett to the Boston Celtics in the summer of 2007, with Garnett going on to help the Celtics to their first NBA title in 22 years.

Young was acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers in August as part of the blockbuster in which Minnesota sent Kevin Love to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie came closer to realizing his dream of having a franchise stocked with nothing but future draft picks.

But while the “KG coming back to Minnesota” element of the story makes for a nice reunion/farewell for Garnett, the Timberwolves do give up a productive player in Young for an aged veteran who can only go about 20 minutes a night, at best.

Young averaged 14.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.8 steals in 33.4 minutes per game in Minnesota, with a shooting line of .451/.292/.682.

Garnett—the only Timberwolf to win NBA MVP honors—is averaging 6.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and one steal in 20.3 minutes this season, shooting 45.5 percent from the floor and 82.9 percent from the foul line.

However, this could mean that coach/team president Flip Saunders will pull the trigger on Gorgui Dieng at power forward, which could be brilliant or a complete disaster—with very little room for middle ground.

Next: Jackson To Detroit In 3-Team Deal