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Boston Celtics Top 25 Moments In Franchise History

By Bill Speros

BOSTON - 1996: Red Auerbach, former head coach and General Manager of the Boston Celtics poses for a portrait in front of Celtics championship banners in Boston Massachesetts in 1996. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1996 NBAE (Photo by Greg Foster/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON - 1996: Red Auerbach, former head coach and General Manager of the Boston Celtics poses for a portrait in front of Celtics championship banners in Boston Massachesetts in 1996. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1996 NBAE (Photo by Greg Foster/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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UNITED STATES – SEPTEMBER 10: Basketball: Portrait of Boston Celtics Kevin Garnett (5) with (L-R) Ray Allen (20) and Paul Pierce (34) at Sports Authority Training Center, Waltham, MA 9/10/2007 (Photo by Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (SetNumber: X78681 TK1 R1)
UNITED STATES – SEPTEMBER 10: Basketball: Portrait of Boston Celtics Kevin Garnett (5) with (L-R) Ray Allen (20) and Paul Pierce (34) at Sports Authority Training Center, Waltham, MA 9/10/2007 (Photo by Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (SetNumber: X78681 TK1 R1) /

9. Big Three – Part Two

Danny Ainge had tried and failed to turn the Celtics into a championship contender for several seasons. The 2007 NBA Draft presented the Celtics with the opportunity to be bold. When the summer dealing was finished, the Celtics would keep Paul Pierce and add both Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett to their nucleus.

All three were still in their prime, with a career scoring average of 65.6 points. Before the draft, Ainge traded Delonte West, Boston’s No. 5 lottery pick, and Wally Szczerbiak in exchange for Allen.

A month later, Minnesota Timberwolves GM Kevin McHale did Ainge a solid and dealt Garnett to Boston. In exchange for Garnett, Boston would send Al Jefferson, Theo Ratliff, Jeff Green, Ryan Gomes, Sebastian Telfair, two first-round picks and cash to Minnesota.

Next: No. 8

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