On "Running Up The Score," Shawn Marion shared the story of how he was nearly traded to the Boston Celtics as part of a three-team deal that would have sent Kevin Garnett to the Phoenix Suns and picks to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He also reveals that Kobe Bryant once recruited him to join the Los Angeles Lakers.
I suppose that even without being mentioned, Al Jefferson would still have to be part of the trade due to cap reasons.
So, instead of being a 2 team trade, it would be a 3 way. Apparently Phoenix backed down because they didn't want to drastically change their playing style (according to Marion in the clip).
So, the timeline for this appears to be:
End of 2006/2007 season: Boston, Phoenix and Minnesota talk about a 3 way trade. Phoenix backs down for reasons stated above. Trade happen as a 2 way instead. Then, during the 2007/2008 decides they might risk changing their playstyle, but KG isn't on the market, so they pivot to Shaq instead.
How different the NBA landscape would be back then?
We would have a Phoenix team with Nash, Amare and KG.
The Boston Big 3 would instead be Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Shawn Marion.
Cue another one in for the endless "what if" scenarios we might have had throughout NBA's history.
* I understand I have already posted this thread on the GB, but I'm posting here as well because I think it presents a huge "what if" scenario which I think would be a great starting point for a debate.
