Boston Celtics · Franchise era 6 of 7
The modern Big Three: the Boston Celtics story
The story in one sentence
Garnett and Allen joined Pierce, transforming Boston overnight into a defensive champion and a two-Finals team.
Ubuntu and the 2008 championship
Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo gave the era its recognizable core.
Its ending created the conditions for tatum and brown.
Timeline
How it unfolded
Before 2007–08
What came before
After tragedy and decline, Pierce became the franchise constant and eventually gave Boston a star worth building a new contender around.
- 26TradeJune 28, 2007
June 28, 2007
The draft-night trade that opened Boston's championship summer
The Celtics needed a second established star to make a larger Kevin Garnett pursuit credible; Seattle chose youth and a reset.
To BOSDraftPICKround asset
To SEADraftPICKround assetRay Allen to BostonBOS receives Ray Allen, Rights: Glen DavisSEA receives Wally Szczerbiak, Delonte West, Rights: Jeff Green5 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade → - 05TradeJuly 31, 2007
July 31, 2007
The deal that completed Boston's Big Three
The Celtics condensed nearly every rebuilding asset into a title-ready core; Minnesota committed to a full reset around Al Jefferson.
To BOS
To MINDraftPICKround asset+5 assetsGarnett to BostonBOS receives Kevin GarnettMIN receives Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Ryan Gomes + 5 more9 original assets · 2 outcomes tracedOpen trade → 2008
NBA Finals: Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers
2012
Eastern Conference Finals: Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat
After 2012–13
What came next
Draft capital from the Brooklyn trade became a durable homegrown core that made repeated deep runs and won the 2024 championship.
The core