Feb 3, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers point guard Eric Bledsoe (12) drives to the hoop against Boston Celtics power forward Kevin Garnett (5) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

It seems that, for now, the trade talks between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Boston Celtics regarding Kevin Garnett and Eric Bledsoe have come to a halt.

According to Yahoo! Sports Adrian Wojnarowski, the Celtics were looking to deal Kevin Garnett for Eric Bledsoe, Deandre Jordan, and other peices and was willing to deal Paul Pierce for Josh Smtih after Garnett was dealt.

For now, the Los Angeles Clippers have terminated talks with the Boston Celtics on a Kevin Garnettfor Eric Bledsoe and DeAndre Jordan trade, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

The Celtics have been eager to continue the conversation on the deal, but league sources said the talks will remain dormant unless Clippers star Chris Paul pushes the issue with management.

Several prominent executives and coaches with championship contenders told Yahoo! Sports they believe the Clippers would become more dangerous with Garnett.

Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro is a proponent of the deal, too, sources said.

The Celtics won’t consider moving Garnett to the Clippers for any other combination of players, and won’t revisit the talks unless Bledsoe and Jordan are in the package, sources said.

Boston hasn’t approached Garnett to waive his no-trade clause without an agreement in place, but there’s strong belief he would ultimately agree to it. What’s more, Boston could simply trade Paul Pierce and leave Garnett with even less desire to finish his career with a young, rebuilding roster.

Dealing Garnett is interesting enough, and obviously if Garnett is dealt that would mark the final moment of the Big Three era. The new roster that would be a mixture of youth and experience. They’d have a Rajon Rondo and Eric Bledsoe backcourt. That has worlds of potential defensively. Especially when pairing them with Deandre Jordan and Josh Smith.

It’s definitely an interesting inquiry, but Ainge came out today and said that–like many other GMs–that he isn’t looking to deal anyone right now. We’ll see how things play out between the Clippers and the Celtics. Normally, where ther is smoke there is fire. That’s not the last time you’ll hear that between now and Thursday.

Feb 3, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers point guard Eric Bledsoe (12) drives to the hoop against Boston Celtics power forward Kevin Garnett (5) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Just yesterday after defeating the Los Angeles Clippers, it was reported that the Clippers contacted the Boston Celtics about Kevin Garnett’s availability.

Well, early this morning those reports were shut down. Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times reported that various NBA officials told him that the Clippers had not even been in contact with the Celtics about the matter.

The Clippers are not pursuing Boston Celtics center Kevin Garnett despite what has been reported, according to NBA officials who were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

Furthermore,  the Clippers’ front office has not had any conversations with Boston’s front office about a rumored deal in which L.A. would use back-up point guard Eric Bledsoe and small forwardCaron Butler as the centerpieces to acquire Garnett, said the officials.

Bledsoe is the starting point guard while Chris Paul remains out with a bruised right kneecap that has kept him out of 10 of the last 12 games and will sideline him again Monday night against theWashington Wizards.

The Clippers already struggle when Bledsoe goes to the bench for a rest and would be without a point guard if Bledsoe was moved.

The same NBA officials said that the Clippers can’t even consider moving Bledsoe until the team sees if Paul signs a contract extension with L.A. this summer.

Obviously, there are many sides to this story. Its getting closer and closer to the trade deadline and its getting harder and harder to decipher what is the truth and what’s not. The Clippers may very well have interest in the Big Ticket. That doesn’t mean that they want everyone to know. This could simply be them shutting down reports so that the Celtics can’t build a larger market for Garnett.

After all, Eric Bledsoe is seen as a very valuable piece right now. He looks like he could be one of the better point guards at both ends of the floor. At the end of the day, the Clippers competition would have to up the ante on Garnett if they wanted a shot. That would make it even harder for the Clippers to get him.

It could still be the other way around. This may not be true at all. It doesn’t make sense for the Clippers to deal Eric Bledsoe right now because Chris Paul has missed 10 of the Clippers last 12 games. He’s obviously the only capable point guard on their roster right now. It makes sense for them to keep him.

If they’re going to deal Bledsoe, you figure it would be after this season anyway. When they get a chance to find another option at point guard either through the draft or free agency.

Who knows what the truth actually is here. Make of it what you will, but just remember that where there’s smoke there is usually fire.

Feb 3, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers point guard Eric Bledsoe (12) shoots the ball against Boston Celtics power forward Kevin Garnett (5) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Clippers contacted the Boston Celtics inquiring about Kevin Garnett’s availability according to The Sporting News’ Sean Deveney. He tweeted that the offer would include Eric Bledsoe and Caron Butler as well.

This is an intriguing offer to say the least. There are a lot of NBA GMs that are very high on Eric Bledsoe. I wouldn’t be surprised if Danny Ainge was one of them. With Rondo out for the season, Ainge has some incentive to make this deal happen.

It could work one of two ways for the C’s if it happens. Eric Bledsoe would show tons of potential and may have what it takes to be one of the best point guards in the NBA someday. Then Ainge could flip Rondo when he returns to health next season and get whatever he could for him.

If Bledsoe doesn’t pan out, the Celtics would still have a good prospect who’s young and has showcased some talent in the past. GMs wouldn’t hesitate to jump on the opportunity to fill their team’s point guard position with that kind of talent–even if it didn’t work out in Boston hypothetically speaking.

It would take a lot for this deal to happen, obviously. Boston would be looking for some type of pick back in the process–either a future first rounder or likely a second rounder this season.  Kevin Garnett is still one of the best defenders in the league even with his old age. He wouldn’t likely stay long, but it would definitely propel the Clippers to another defensive level.

It would be hard for this trade to become anything because of Kevin Garnett’s no trade clause. He would have to want to play for the Clippers before anything happens here. Also, this would mean that Ainge is finally ready to give up on this era. Paul Pierce would be out of the door shortly after Garnett.

I don’t think its likely that the trade happens, but its definitely an interesting one to keep our eyes on. And the thought of possibly having a defensive backcourt of Avery Bradley and Eric Bledsoe is something that the world deserves.