Why Garnett Chose the Celtics Over the Lakers

Former NBA MVP and champion Kevin Garnett revealed that he was on the verge of transferring to the Los Angeles Lakers before going to the Boston Celtics. Garnett described his 2007 decision and what happened during that process on the "Out The Mud Podcast."

Garnett said Chauncey Billups had a major influence on his decision to leave the team. He recalled that during summer workouts, Billups told him he needed to find a new path because he had used up his peak years. He said those words hurt him.

In a conversation with Kevin McHale, then a Minnesota executive, Garnett said he began looking for a new situation. He said McHale and Danny Ainge started the process, and he had previously faced Paul Pierce and Ray Allen as rivals, so the idea made sense to him.

According to Garnett, the Lakers and the Phoenix Suns were the options on the table. He said he tried to reach Kobe Bryant several times but could not get through on the phone. Garnett said Bryant came across as too arrogant, which is why he decided to pursue the Celtics. He also added that before going to Boston, he got information about Paul Pierce from Antoine Walker.