I can be objective about the Lakers. And objectively speaking, I say they suck. - 6/4/08 Simmons in ESPN the Magazine

Simmons:

Myth: L.A. and Boston were reborn this season with two legal megadeals.

Truth: At least the Celts gave up Al Jefferson for KG. How was the Gasol trade legal? If I kill my mailman and no one ever finds out, does that make it legal? Jerry West's old team (Memphis) gift-wrapped its best player for the team that once employed West for 40 years, taking back a pupu platter (Kwame Brown, a third-string guard and two crappy picks). This happened even though the Lakers' season would have been over without a center. Had this trade taken place in a fantasy league, it would have led to three weeks of vicious e-mails, crumbled friendships, guys quitting and maybe even a fistfight. In the NBA, it led to the Lakers being presented the 2008 Western Conference trophy by … yup, a crying Jerry West. The NBA, where chicanery happens.

As usual, this Simmons rant is complete garbage. First, to compare Kevin Garnett to Pau Gasol is ridiculous. KG is a first ballot hall of famer, Gasol has been an All-Star once in his entire seven year career (he was the 2002 Rookie of the Year after playing professionally in Spain for years). Garnett is an 11 time All-Star, 2004 MVP, 4 time All-NBA First Team, 3 time All-NBA Second Team, and 2 time All-NBA Third Team.  He's also been on the All NBA Defensive First Team 7 times and on the second team twice. Lastly, he was named 2008 Defensive MVP with the Celts this year. I believe that these stats separate the two as players on totally different athletic levels. 

Onto the traded players themselves. For Gasol (career 18.8 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 3.1 apg, 1.8 bpg) the Lakers gave the Grizzlies forward Kwame Brown, guards Javaris Crittendon and Aaron McKie (used to balance contracts and isn't even in the league), the draft rights to Pau's brother Marc, and the first round picks in 2008 and 2010. The Lakers will also get a second round pick out of the deal in 2010.

Kwame Brown career statistics - 7.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.1 apg, and .7 blg. 

Javaris Crittendon rookie/career statistics - 5.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1 apg.

This year's 28th draft pick currently pegged as J.J. Hickson (by ESPN's Chad Ford). Freshman from N.C. State who averaged 14.8 pts and 8.5 rebounds in 31 games.

In total, the Grizzlies got rid of Gasol's contract, and added 13 points, 8 boards and 3 assists. Plus the two picks and the cap room. And Crittendon looks to be a player with legit upside and raw talent that needs to be molded a bit to conform to the NBA style of play.

For Garnett (career 20.4 ppg, 11.2 rpg, 4.4 apg, 1.6 bpg, heralded leader) the Celtics gave the Timberwolves  guards Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green and Sebastian Telfair, forwards Al Jefferson and Theo Ratliff (expiring contract) and a 2009 first round draft pick (top three protected)

Al Jefferson career statistics - 13.4 ppg (21 ppg in 2008), 8.1 rpg (11 ppg in 2008). (career highs in both) 

Ryan Gomes career statistics - 11 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.5 apg

Sebastian Telfair career statistics - 7.8 ppg (9.3 in 2008), 1.7 rebounds, 3.8 apg (5.9 in 2008)

Gerald Green - no longer on 15 man roster

Theo Ratliff - no longer on 15 man roster 

In total, the Timberwolves got rid of Garnett's contract (he makes a league high $22 mill per), got an expiring contract in Ratliff, a hack in Green (dunk contest aside) and 32 points, 15.5 boards and 5.5 assists. Note that Jefferson's numbers are a bit inflated because the Timberwolves are downright awful and in total rebuilding mode.

How were the two trades not at the very least, comparably bush league moves? While Jefferson is a good player, he is not on his way to become the starting forward on the all decade team, nor is he a first ballot hall of famer, 2004 MVP, 2008 Defensive Player of the Year and the list goes on. While Gasol is a nice player and looks great with Kobe, you can't argue that the Celtics and Timberwolves should have gotten equal talent in return for their trades. Gasol is no KG and he is not the born leader that KG is in the locker room. Both teams got away with killing the mailman and both teams are blowing up in the NBA Finals, while their trade partners are sitting in the dumps.

This is just the usual SG bullshit. He is about as objective as a crooked politician, objectively speaking.