Gerald Wallace on Nets' trade for Garnett, Pierce: 'It backfired'
The Brooklyn Nets have backed themselves into a corner with a series of shortsighted moves over the last number of years, including the 2013 trade that sent three first round picks and five players to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry.
Gerald Wallace - who the Nets originally acquired by trading the first round pick that turned into Damian Lillard to Portland - was part of the package sent to the Celtics, and he gave his belated take on the trade after Boston beat Brooklyn on Wednesday.
"It was one of those stories of a get-rich-quick scheme. You either hit it big or you don't," the veteran forward said, as reported by the New York Daily News' Stefan Bondy. "They took a gamble. It backfired," Wallace added.
Between player salaries and luxury tax payments, the Nets fielded the most expensive team in NBA history last season, with only 44 wins and a second round appearance to show for it.
They then let Pierce walk in free agency, and now find themselves a 16-19 team despite maintaining the NBA's highest payroll. In addition, the Nets already look capped out for next season and don't own their own first round pick in any of the next four drafts.
So yes, it could be said every decision they've made recently has backfired.