Days after the Boston Celtics dealt head coach Doc Rivers to the L.A. Clippers, Danny Ainge sent Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Jason Terry to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Gerald Wallace, Reggie Evans, Kris Humphries (the former Mr. Kim Kardashian), Keith Bogans and three first round draft picks.

Pierce had been with the team since 1998 and was their mainstay during some very lean years. The team’s fortunes turned when the Celtics acquired Garnett from the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2007. Garnett, Pierce (along with Ray Allen) would lead the Celtics to an NBA title in 2008, their first in 22 years. The Celtics also went to an NBA Final in 2010 falling to the L.A. Lakers in seven games.

When I first heard about the deal, a colleague told me, “We dealt Garnett and Pierce for a bunch of bums.” To which I replied, “Well, of course we’re getting bums. They’re from Brooklyn.”

Yet a little perspective is in order. The Celtics have been showing their age. Garnett is 37 and Pierce is 35. It’s time to move on. The Celtics will stink for a few years but will regain their championship form in the next five to ten years. 

Meanwhile, Garnett and Pierce will get a new lease on life and give new Nets head coach Jason Kidd proven winners. I can see Garnett and Pierce face Rivers in next year’s NBA Finals. You heard it here first. Nets and Clippers in the 2014 NBA Final. 

If nothing else, Celtics’ seats will be cheap.