KG on trade rumors: 'I bleed green, I die green'

WALTHAM — Celtics superstar Kevin Garnett has heard all about the trade rumor that has the Los Angeles Clippers interested in offering Celtics GM Danny Ainge a package that includes Caron Butler if Garnett would only waive his "no-trade" clause.

Garnett has been a Celtics icon since coming to Boston in the summer of 2007, along with Ray Allen, and joining Paul Pierce to form the "Big 3." Last summer, Garnett signed a three-year, $36 million deal that includes a very rare full no-trade clause, meaning he can veto a deal anywhere.

Before Tuesday's practice, Garnett was asked if he would be interested in waiving his no-trade if Ainge came to him with a deal that made sense for everyone.

"Well, Danny made it very, very obvious since Day 1 when he brought Ray and myself here to be aligned with Paul that he was going to do whatever is best for this organization," Garnett said. "He's always made that apparent so I've always understood that. I bleed green, I die green. That's what it is. But it is a business and when that crosses the path, I'll deal with it. But trades are part of this league. Every year you're going to hear certain things. If I were you all, I wouldn't read too much into it."

Garnett has a home in Malibu and the Clippers are considered contenders in the Western Conference, which has led to speculation that he might waive the no-trade clause.

Told Kevin Garnett will not waive no trade unless Pierce is dealt, and then only to LA. Lives in Malibu.

— Shaun Powell (@Powell2daPeople) February 4, 2013

"It's part of the year," Garnett said. "Right after the All-Star, you start to hear things," Garnett said. "Some of it's chatter, some of it's real and you just have to be able to block certain things out, be able to play through certain things. If it's going to happen, it's going to happen. It's out of your control a lot of times. The things you do control, you control as well as you play. Obviously, if a situation comes up where you have to move, you deal with it."

Can this team – as constructed – compete?

"My own personal views on this team, I won't share them," Garnett said. "Management usually makes those decisions on what they feel is best for the organization, and a lot of times the players are just parts, moving, and not decision-making. Danny talks to the key guys here about certain things, and that's cool. He has always given us informative information and been upfront with us. I don't anticipate that changing anytime soon."

Would he be open to going somewhere else?

"If you define his best and what I feel is best, maybe that's different. [Until then], this is what I am," Garnett said tugging his green Celtics practice shirt.