Sportsfrog.com

OK,. so it’s still not 100% official. Just 99.9% official. It will be announced today. And the reacting is already well underway:

In Boston, elation. Jackie McMullan for the Globe:

“There are a handful of players in the league who can provide the kind of instant impact Garnett does. He’s a gifted scorer, a voracious rebounder, and a defensive presence who alters shots and intimidates offensive players. When’s the last time a Celtic could boast that? He also has a deft passing touch for a big man. Garnett plays hard, plays long, and plays with an intensity that has been sorely lacking around here. He desperately wants to win — now — and with Allen and Paul Pierce in tow, he’ll have a shot at accomplishing that.”

Very true. The Celtics have to be among the favorites to win the East next year.

In Minnesota, resignation that it was probably the best deal that could be made. Patrick Reusse in the Minneapolis Star Tribune:

“People on the fringe of the Wolves’ operation kept telling reporters that Taylor wanted Garnett gone — not for any personal reason, but because of this—Garnett could have opted out of his contract after the 2007-08 season. To avoid that, the Wolves would have had to offer another extension for huge dollars. Taylor’s team has been in salary cap Hades for years with Garnett’s contract and would remain there for the foreseeable future with a KG extension. So, the owner kept leaning on McHale to make the best possible trade, and if the details being reported by media throughout the land are accurate, the Wolves wound up with three players who will be helpful.”

Yup, about as good as Minnesota could have done at this particular point in time. And, in the process, they are the immediate favorites to have the most ping pong balls in next year’s lottery.

Oh, and Bill Simmons thinks Kevin McHale must still be working for the Celtics.