Boston Sent Several Veterans for Szczerbiak
The Celtics and Timberwolves exchanged sizeable packages in January 2006. Boston acquired Wally Szczerbiak, Michael Olowokandi, Dwayne Jones and a future first-round obligation. Minnesota received Ricky Davis, Marcus Banks, Mark Blount, Justin Reed and two second-round choices. The Celtics wanted Szczerbiak's shooting alongside Paul Pierce, while the Timberwolves revised their rotation around Kevin Garnett. Multiple players and future picks meant neither club's return could be evaluated from the most recognizable names alone.
Szczerbiak Provided Boston Perimeter Scoring
Szczerbiak gave Boston another experienced outside scorer, though his Celtics tenure was relatively short and injuries limited his longer-term effect. Olowokandi offered frontcourt size without becoming a major new defensive anchor, while Jones contributed very little. The incoming first-round right later became associated with the No. 6 selection used on Jonny Flynn in 2009, but that pick's rights moved again. Flynn's NBA career in Minnesota must not be misrepresented as Boston playing production generated by the 2006 agreement.
Minnesota Received Players and Productive Picks
Davis supplied some veteran scoring with the Timberwolves, while Banks, Blount and Reed had varying roles. The more interesting long-term value came from the second-round choices: No. 36 Craig Smith in 2006 and No. 31 Nikola Peković in 2008. Both developed into Timberwolves contributors, with Peković later becoming a substantial interior presence. Those Minnesota seasons are tangible receiving-team payoff from the draft rights, not merely eventual names attached to picks traded elsewhere.
A Narrow Advantage Reflects the Second-Round Results
The Celtics obtained useful shooting in Szczerbiak and additional trade flexibility, while Minnesota found multiple roster contributors and unusually productive second-round value. Both teams had credible objectives at the time. Boston didn't receive a permanent star to pair with Pierce, and Minnesota's veteran additions alone wouldn't have decided the comparison. The inherited slight Timberwolves edge rests on the combination of Davis's immediate output and the longer-term success of the Smith and Peković selections, rather than treating every asset as equally valuable.
Final Verdict
Slight Wolves Edge. Minnesota receives B+ for Ricky Davis's scoring and the useful second-round outcomes of Craig Smith and Nikola Peković, alongside other veteran depth. Boston gets B for Wally Szczerbiak's shooting and additional assets, but the stay was shorter and the future first's rights changed hands again. Jonny Flynn's later Minnesota games are not credited to the Celtics.