Former Boston Celtics trio unveiled at press conference.
The Brooklyn Nets have officially unveiled Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry, with the trio claiming that they have arrived in the city to win a championship.
Both Garnett and Pierce revealed their disappointment at not being able to end their careers in Boston, but with the trade giving them the best possible chance of winning a championship, it was a move that they felt they had to make.
Pierce, who spent the first 15 years of his career with the Celtics admitted that it has now started to sink in that he will be a Nets player next season, while Garnett explained what it will take to win a title next year with the likes of the Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers and Chicago Bulls providing stiff competition in the Eastern Conference.
“I think we’re going to be right up there with the best of them,” Pierce said Thursday as quoted by ESPN.
“Obviously I would’ve loved to have finished my career in Boston, but that day and age is finally over with. My ultimate drive is winning a championship.”
The Nets are entering the fourth year of owner Mikhail Prokhorov’s five-year championship plan, and it would appear that following the blockbuster trade deal they are primed for their best shot yet.
Brooklyn have also signed free-agent Andrei Kirilenko this summer, giving them additional depth on the bench with their starting line-up looking particularly strong.
First-year coach Jason Kidd is likely to go with a starting five of; Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Pierce, Garnett and Brook Lopez, which is arguably one of the strongest in the league.
It is understood that the team’s payroll is around $101m next season, while its projected luxury tax bill is around $83m. Nevertheless, it is an exciting time for the Nets, who undoubtedly believe that they have the pieces in place to dethrone the Heat next season.
“Obviously having Jet [Terry] and Paul with me was a really really big issue,” Garnett told the media.
“I don’t know anyone who loves change, but change has to happen for things to be better.”
The veteran will be hoping to silence the critics with a big season next year, and it clear that the belief around the Barclays Center is that this current roster is more than capable of delivering on its promise.
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