Well, that scenario worked for the Celtics, but IMHO it is unrealistic to think that any team would give real value for Garnett or Pierce. Other teams have scouts who watch the Celtics.
I think you could expect to get similar value, and maybe a bit more than the Nets got for Carter. So an expiring contract (or cap space), a young rotation player (certainly not a star), and/or a draft pick.
They are not going to singlehandedly rebuild the team like this, but there is the potential to get some value for these guys.
The question is, could they get more value by using them as an expiring contract, and combining them with other assets to try to get a younger star type player who another team is willing to dump for salary reasons. And would that be better for the team?
It's possible but as we saw this off season dumping high price expiring stars for good youth isn't a great payoff
Teams were able to dump big expiring contracts for cap space for the chance to entice an unbelievable free agency but 2011 free agency isn't nearly as attractive
Zach Randolph
Tony Parker
Jamal Crawford
Caron Butler
Maybe Carmelo Anthony - I doubt it
JR Smith
Tayshaun Prince
Shane Battier
Troy Murphy
Mike Dunleavy
Maybe David West
Jason Richardson
That's about it for quality
So will someone dump someone decent for Paul Pierce for cap space in 2011... not unless they are a team that just has to dump salary for fiscal reasons and not free agency reasons
A contender might be interested but a pick in the late twenties for Pierce and some scrubs doesn't sound very good
KG, unfortunately unless he retires early giving away money or just can't play because of his knee and is deemed unable to play and insurance kicks in, is ours, I am afraid
Perk, Wallace and Baby are the guys we will have to trade to try to get something in return for
Perk should net a first rounder in this years draft