9 Players the Boston Celtics gave up on way too soon

4. Al Jefferson – Traded in 2007

Al Jefferson was somewhat the last of a dying breed. He’s one of the best low-post scorers in recent league history. And it all started with the Boston Celtics, who drafted him as the 15th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. The unfortunate part of it all is that just when he was beginning to hit his stride as a player for the Celtics, during his third year with the team, Boston traded him as part of the package for Kevin Garnett.

I understand this was a move that was necessary. The Celtics needed to include Jefferson if they were going to land KG. They played the same position and it’s hard to see how they would’ve fit on the same team. Nevertheless, you can’t deny the fact that Jefferson could’ve been an absolute star had he remained in Boston.

Jefferson spent the prime of his career with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz. His career likely goes a lot differently if he remains in Boston. And perhaps the Celtics still win a championship with a core of Paul Pierce, insert another star they could’ve traded for, and Jefferson.

You can’t argue with the results, but Jefferson would’ve been an absolute star in Boston had he never been traded.