If not for Tim Donaghy, the imminent trade of Kevin Garnett to the Boston Celtics would have been the major story of the offseason in the NBA.

The Celtics are expected to seal the deal for Garnett (left) at any moment which would complete a radical makeover for Boston.  A draft day trade brought guard Ray Allen from Seattle (which cost Boston this year's No. 5 overall pick, Jeff Green).  Now, the addition of Garnett in what is being reported as a five-for-one trade with Minnesota -- where the Celts may also be tossing in one or even two more future draft picks -- gives Boston still another All-Star caliber player to go with Allen and their own 25 points-per-game swingman, Paul Pierce.

The ramifications are obvious.  The Celtics will go into 2007-08 with three superior starters, which makes them instant contenders.  But all three will all also happen to be at least 30 or older on Nov. 1.  And depending on the draft picks involved, the Celts may not have any fresh talent coming on board until a certain ex-referee is eligible to come off supervised probation sometime in the next decade. 

This a great story line for a league that desperately needs some juicy drama that doesn't involve federal investigations. And getting the Celtics, one of the NBA's former glamor franchises, back in the playoff mix would certainly help a little problem like miserable TV ratings.

Unfortunately, outside of Boston and the die-hard NBA fans remain, it's Tim Donaghy and whatever he has to say to the FBI that's the only news that really counts.

Photo credit: David Guttenfelder/AP