NBA Free Agency & Trade 2013: Winners and Losers In the Brooklyn Nets-Boston Celtics Blockbuster Trade For Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce

Thursday's blockbuster trade between the Brooklyn Nets and the Boston Celtics has certainly shaken up the playing field for next season as one ball club continues to add more arsenal in its attempt to contend for an NBA title while the other decides to finally end an era and start the rebuilding process as quick as possible.

The Nets, who acquired Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry, hope the collection of playoff-tested veterans are enough to put them over the hump after a mediocre first season in Brooklyn.

On the other side of the story, the Celtics will try to collect as many assets as they can in the form of draft picks to form a young and talented squad that could contend for a championship in the succeeding years.

But for now, it's very intriguing to look at the possible consequence for both ball clubs following that big trade.

Brooklyn Nets

Better Starting Five - With the injection of Garnett and Pierce to the lineup, the Nets suddenly have a formidable starting unit along with All-Star mainstays Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, and Brook Lopez. Despite playing at the downside of their careers, Garnett and Pierce are expected to produce solid numbers right away and give the Nets the kind of leadership they need to succeed in the postseason.

'Meaner Defense' - Garnett and Pierce were once part of one of the stingiest defense in the league. Garnett, who won the Defensive Player of the Year in 2008, will continue to provide a high level of intensity on the defensive side in every game. Pierce, meanwhile, is touted as one of the best defensive communicators in the history of the NBA and his presence will certainly have an impact for the Nets next season.

'Tied with the Olds' - Though the acquisition of Garnett and Pierce is a solid move, this 'experiment' also put the Nets in an awkward position with regards to building for the future of the organization. The Nets actually shipped three first round picks (2004, 2016, and 2018), depriving them a chance to add youth in an ageing lineup.

The 37-year old Garnett and the 35-year old Pierce have just a couple of years left in the tank while the 31-year old Johnson enters the twilight years of their career. Only the 29-year old Williams and the 25-year old Brook Lopez are playing in their 20s, making it hard time for the Nets front office to lay down the groundwork for the future.  

Boston Celtics

Basket Full of Picks - After breaking up the core of the 2008 Championship team, the Celtics have added four additional first-round picks as sort of consolation. The Celtics can use these assets over a span of five years, giving them the leverage to acquire young talents via draft or trades.

Moreover, with the lineup the kind of lineup they have right now, the Celtics have put themselves in position to get future top-pick Andrew Wiggins, whom many scouts called a once in a generation talent. Wiggins, who will play his freshman season with the Kansas Jayhawks, is widely expected to enter his name in the 2014 Draft.

The Rondo Puzzle - With Ray Allen, Garnett, Pierce and Rivers all gone, the Celtics have found themselves with one relevant tradable asset from their championship years--Rondo, their talented multi-time NBA All-Star point guard. Whether or not they are going to ship away Rondo has remained a big question until now as Celtics GM Danny Ainge insisted that Rondo is untouchable from trade talks as of now. However, in the end of the line, Rondo may eventually play for another city as C's continue to forge for the future.

There's no doubt Brooklyn got the right personnel for them to go for the championship next season. If they want to win an NBA title, win it now because the future isn't looking good for the franchise. The Celtics, on the other hand, are playing their cards wisely. A combination of luck and good decision-making will put this proud ball club back in the thick of things in no time. Yet, a mishap could only mean championship banner No.18 may wait for a long time.