BOSTON (AP) - Kevin Garnett gives Boston a new Big Three that brings the Celtics much closer to what their old Big Three delivered - an NBA title.

The Celtics, who have 16 championships but have gone without one for more than two decades, obtained the former MVP and 10-time All-Star yesterday in a 7-for-1 deal - the NBA’s biggest trade for one player.

Boston sent the Minnesota Timberwolves forwards Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes and Gerald Green, guard Sebastian Telfair and center Theo Ratliff, two first-round draft picks and cash considerations. Besides Ratliff, 34, the other four are 24 or younger.

With Paul Pierce and Ray Allen already on the roster, the Celtics have been transformed from a promising collection of youngsters who had the NBA’s second-worst record last season into an instant contender in the mediocre Eastern Conference.

"This is probably my best opportunity at winning a ring," Garnett said. "It was a no-brainer."

The Celtics won their last championship, the third with the original Big Three of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish, in 1986. Two members of that club orchestrated yesterday’s blockbuster trade - Celtics executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge and Timberwolves vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale.

But Ainge cautioned that it’s much too early to equate the two trios.

"These guys will never be the Big Three until they win" a championship, he said.

Garnett signed a multi-year extension - Ainge wouldn’t say how long. He had one year plus an option year remaining on his contract.

The Timberwolves get the Celtics’ first-round pick in 2009, unless it is among the top three, and a return of Minnesota’s conditional first-round draft pick obtained in January 2006 when they sent Ricky Davis to the Timberwolves for Wally Szczerbiak.

The previous biggest NBA trade for one player came in 1999, when Houston obtained Scottie Pippen from Portland for six players.

"I’m confident I made the right decision here, even though it was a difficult one," said Wolves Owner Glen Taylor, who made it clear that Garnett did not request a trade.

The Garnett trade eclipses the latest one involving an NBA star, Allen Iverson. Philadelphia traded the guard and Ivan McFarlin on Dec. 19 for Andre Miller, Joe Smith and two first-round draft choices.

"This is a tremendous day," said a smiling Pierce, who had been frustrated for years as the sole star on a rebuilding team. "I feel like a rookie again."

The key to the deal for Minnesota is Jefferson, whom the Celtics were reluctant to lose. He had a breakout season in 2006-07, his third with Boston, when he averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds after struggling with injuries. He joins a youth movement in Minnesota, which drafted forward Corey Brewer from Florida.

"The past few seasons our on-court performance has been disappointing to our fans, myself, Glen Taylor and the entire organization," McHale said. "Through this trade, we have obtained very talented young players with a lot of potential, future flexibility with the salary cap and two future first-round NBA draft picks.

"Personally, I want to thank Kevin for all of his hard work through the years and what he has meant to the Timberwolves franchise."

The teams had discussed a trade for the 6-foot-11 Garnett, the NBA’s leading rebounder each of the past four seasons, before the June draft. But he preferred other teams than Boston, and the Celtics didn’t want to give up Jefferson.

The acquisition of Allen, 32, in a draft-day trade with Seattle to go with Pierce, 29, was a major factor in changing Garnett’s mind. It gave Garnett, 31, a better chance at a title after Minnesota missed the last three playoffs in the tough Western Conference.

He also realized that he didn’t fit in with Minnesota’s strategy of rebuilding with youth.

The Celtics’ other starters are second-year point guard Rajon Rondo and center Kendrick Perkins. Only nine players are under contract, although they are expected to sign second-round draft picks Glen Davis, a forward from LSU, and Gabe Pruitt, a guard from Southern California.

The Timberwolves came within two wins of the NBA Finals in 2004. Garnett averaged 24.2 points and a league-high 13.9 rebounds that season, joining Bird as the only players to average at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and five assists for five consecutive years.

But Minnesota has fired two coaches and not made the playoffs since. Garnett never said he was unhappy and never asked to be traded but expressed frustration with some of McHale’s personnel decisions and challenged him to upgrade the roster.

"I’d say this certainly is a big day in our franchise’s history," Taylor said. "Kevin Garnett has really meant a lot to our franchise, not only as a member of our team, but as a friend. On the other hand, it was time we had to make a decision on the direction of this team, look toward the future and try to figure out the best way we can develop a team that has a better record and better success than we’ve had."

Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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