Boston – All-star Kevin Garnett was traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves to Boston on Tuesday for five players and two draft picks.
The Celtics – who have 16 championships but none since 1986 – obtained the former MVP and 10-time all-star from Minnesota for forwards Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes and Gerald Green, guard Sebastian Telfair and center Theo Ratliff and two first-round draft picks.
With Paul Pierce and Ray Allen already on the roster, the Celtics become contenders in the Eastern Conference.
“This is probably my best opportunity at winning a ring,” Garnett said. “It was a no-brainer.”
Meanwhile, the agent for Troy Hudson said the Timberwolves have agreed to buy out the guard’s contract.
SWIMMING
Hansen takes 200 breaststroke title
Taking on an event he rarely swims, Michael Phelps settled for a spot in the “B” final of the 200-meter breaststroke on the first night of the U.S. National Championships in Indianapolis. He was third in the consolation heat, which left him 11th overall.
As expected, Brendan Hansen easily won the event, finishing in 2 minutes, 9.91 seconds – far off his world record of 2:08.50. Phelps finished in 2:15.06.
Other winners on the first night of the meet: Erik Vendt knocked off American record holder Larsen Jensen in the men’s 1,500 free; Davis Tarwater took advantage of Phelps’ absence in the men’s 200 fly; Rebecca Soni claimed the title in the women’s 200 breast; and Kathleen Hersey took the women’s 200 fly.
CYCLING
Tour winner Contador accused of doping
German authorities said they have received documents from doping expert Werner Franke he claims show Tour de France winner Alberto Contador was involved in doping. Franke said he has documents from last year’s Operation Puerto doping investigation in Spain that show Contador, a Spaniard who won the doping-marred Tour on Sunday, had taken HMG-Lepori as a testosterone booster and an asthma product called TGN.
Christian Brockert, spokesman for Germany’s federal criminal police office, said the office will meet with the district attorney’s office deemed to be responsible and assess the documents.
Also, German cyclist Patrik Sinkewitz was fired by his T-Mobile team and acknowledged he “secretly” used a testosterone gel before failing a doping test in June.
FOOTNOTES
Rangers sign left wing Hossa
The New York Rangers avoided an arbitration hearing by agreeing to terms with forward Marcel Hossa on a one-year contract worth $780,000.
The Ottawa Senators and Chris Kelly avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a $1.26 million, one-year deal.
The Buffalo Sabres and defenseman Nathan Paetsch agreed to a three-year contract.
Brett Hull is leaving TV after a year to work full time for the Dallas Stars in their front office.
Pittsburgh defensive back Elijah Fields, expected to compete for a starting job, was suspended for the season because of an unspecified violation of team rules.
Senior forward Tyrone Nelson was dismissed from the New Mexico State basketball team after he pleaded no contest to charges stemming from an August 2006 robbery of a pizza delivery man.
