Ian Eagle: Garnett Setting up "long-term relationship" with Brooklyn?

Could Kevin Garnett, a Brooklyn Net for all of 13 months up to this point, stay with the organization beyond his playing days? Nets play-by-play man Ian Eagle believes so, as revealed in an interview with CLNS Radio, via TheBrooklynGame.

"This could be just the start of a long-term relationship," Eagle said. "Kevin's got a lot of interests outside of just playing basketball, as we know, and I think he saw Brooklyn as an opportunity to try to capitalize on a number of those interests. When the smoke clears, I wouldn't be surprised if Kevin Garnett has some role moving forward beyond his basketball-playing years”  

"Kevin sees a bigger picture here than just playing one more year with the Nets."

Eagle, however, does not see Garnett coaching in any capacity.

"My feeling is not from a coaching standpoint," Eagle added. "That would shock me, something like that. I just don't see -- he just takes every possession so seriously and it would drive him nuts."

If Garnett does indeed stick with Nets organization at the end of his illustrious playing career, it would be quite shocking. The 19-year veteran, who is expected to come back to Brooklyn for his 20th season, initially didn’t want to come to Brooklyn and had to be convinced to waive his no-trade clause by former teammate Paul Pierce. Now, just over a year later, he’s considering sticking around in Brooklyn and beginning a “long-term relationship” with the team?

Eagle also spoke about the Nets’ decision to allow Pierce to bolt to Washington in free agency for significantly less money. He said that the decision was not only financially motivated, to get closer to the luxury tax line, but also due to the direction the Nets want to go in.

"The numbers that I heard thrown around (between the Nets and Pierce) were $10, $11 million per year, looking for a two-year, $20 to $22 million deal," Eagle said. "While the Nets engaged in some early discussions, I think once the decision was made to trim some payroll and to go a bit younger, they decided that Paul didn't necessarily fit into the future plans."

Follow @NetsTakeOver