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On Friday, I made several attempts to speak with Pelinka. We’ve known each other for 20 years. He was a role player on the Michigan “Fab Five” basketball teams that I covered for the Ann Arbor News. We also occasionally run into each other in Los Angeles. I left a message at his office. I left a voicemail on his cell phone. I wrote him a detailed email explaining why I was contacting him. I also sent him a text message that my iPhone confirmed that he read. Pelinka did not respond to my inquiries. Whether it was Bryant, Garnett or some other highly compensated veteran player who contacted Hunter on Oct. 27, 2011, doesn’t really matter. (Although a court case and Hunter’s phone records will eventually reveal the callers.) The point is that during the lockout, Hunter was caught between the NBA’s elite and the rank-and-file players who actually worked in the union. FOXSports.com

Kobe Bryant, Billy Hunter, NBPA, Kevin Garnett 

Steve Bulpett: Kevin Garnett will not need surgery on his foot/ankle. Medical staff thinks rest will solve the problem. Twitter @SteveBHoop

Boston Celtics, Injuries, Kevin Garnett 

With Rivers back, the Celtics can now begin formulating their roster for next season. Ainge said he has not talked with Kevin Garnett, who will turn 37 on Sunday and is considering retirement. "I don't think I have the answers that Kevin will want," Ainge said. "So I gotta figure there's a lot to do (before we talk) and I think there's a lot of questions in Kevin's mind as there is every year, to determine whether he's coming back. I'm not ready to answer everything that he will want to know." Boston Globe

Boston Celtics, Danny Ainge, Kevin Garnett 

Though Ainge regularly talks with Rivers, he said he has not had contact with either Paul Pierce or Kevin Garnett, whose futures figure prominently in his immediate plans. Boston Herald

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce, Trade, Doc Rivers, Kevin Garnett 

The effect of retired players on the salary cap - which could eats into play with Kevin Garnett - is not uniform in the new collective bargaining agreement, meaning how it impacts a team's cap is undetermined until a buyout or settlement is negotiated. The Celtics had a situation like with Rasheed Wallace, who retired with two years remaining on his contract. He and the Celtics agreed to a buyout so the final two years of his contract would not impact the salary cap. The buyout amount, however it, does affect the cap. Boston Globe

Boston Celtics, Rasheed Wallace, Salary Cap, Kevin Garnett 

Ben Rohrbach: Ainge on KG: "I'll touch base w/him some time next week. … He needs time to chill and contemplate his life. I do anticipate KG will play." Twitter @brohrbach

Boston Celtics, Danny Ainge, Kevin Garnett 

Rivers said he had no idea whether Garnett would return, but the future Hall of Famer made it clear his decision is tied to what happens with Pierce. It’s highly unlikely the Celtics would encourage Garnett to retire, and since there is no retirement clause in the collective bargaining agreement, how much of a salary-cap break — if any — the Celtics would receive by Garnett leaving in the middle of a multi-year contract depends on a potential buyout. Boston Globe

Boston Celtics, Kevin Garnett 

Team sources said KG might undergo offseason surgery to shave down the bone spurs in his ankles, an operation that is not viewed as a major procedure. Two of his teammates privately speculated he is considering retirement. "I have no clue," Doc admitted. "I was positive last year [he was coming back]. I'm not as sure this year." ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, Injuries, Kevin Garnett 

As the Celtics began their offseason last night, there were no easy answers in sight. “Well, you’re not going to find Paul Pierces and Kevin Garnetts on the free agent market,” Ainge told the Herald. “Those guys don’t exist — except for guys that are probably going to stay where they are.” Boston Herald

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce, Free Agency, Danny Ainge, Kevin Garnett 

Garnett, who will turn 37 later this month and just completed his 18th NBA season, said it was simply too early to know whether the trio will be back in Boston next season. "I haven't really thought about it, to be honest with you. I'm kind of digesting , obviously, the current, and Doc came to me, pulled Paul and I to the side and all three of us agreed to speak later -- too emotional," said Garnett. "Obviously, it was a big game, tough loss, especially at home. But more importantly in the future, it's a different day for that conversation." ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, Kevin Garnett 

"One of the big reasons I came [to Boston] was because of Paul," said Garnett. "Obviously, you want to be in a situation where it's better. I want to make sure that I'm able to always help a team. I want to be in positions to where I'm giving something. I demand a lot of myself, both physically and from a skill level. But I'd be lying to y'all if I said Paul didn't play into that factor. Like I said, it's too soon of a conversation for me right now." ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, Kevin Garnett 

In the quiet of the losing locker room, Rivers gathered Garnett and Pierce and told them that they would talk privately sometime soon. The sorrow of the night hung too heavily. Around the NBA, there's belief that the arrival of Flip Saunders as general manager of the Minnesota Timberwolves will start the process of Garnett's old coach and franchise eventually offering KG the opportunity to invest in the franchise. Yahoo! Sports

Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves, Kevin Garnett, Flip Saunders 

"Whatever [Garnett is] going to do is up to him," said Terry. "He’s earned the right to make a decision. I think he’s signed for two more years here, as am I. I’d hate to see him go. I hope he’s not thinking that. It’s solely up to him. It’s on him. No pressure from this side of the locker room. Again, just an honor to play alongside a great like him." ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, Kevin Garnett 

Evans Clinchy: Doc on KG: "I really didn't want him to go out like that." Twitter @evansclinchy

Boston Celtics, Kevin Garnett 

Evans Clinchy: Doc just denied that "I really didn't want him to go out like that" was an implication of retirement. His tone seemed to say otherwise. Twitter @evansclinchy

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce, Doc Rivers, Kevin Garnett 

Adrian Wojnarowski: Doc Rivers says he was "positive" Kevin Garnett would play another season at end of last year. This time? "I'm not so positive" Rivers said. Twitter @WojYahooNBA

Boston Celtics, Doc Rivers, Kevin Garnett 

Peter Stringer: Doc on convo w/ KG: "He told me he loved me and I told him I loved him. Kevin always checks on me and he wanted to know if I'm OK." Twitter @celtics

Boston Celtics, Kevin Garnett 

Peter Stringer: Doc on getting band back together next season: "I've given it 0 thought. I immerse myself, that's the only way I can do it. I don't know." Twitter @celtics

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett 

Garnett made it clear, though, that for the Celtics to contend next season, or even to be a viable playoff team, that changes would be needed. “We need some additions,” he said. “Health hit us pretty hard this year, and I’m sure we’re going to address that.” Boston Herald

Boston Celtics, Kevin Garnett 

Rivers was asked whether Paul Pierce’s and Kevin Garnett’s future plans would have any impact on his decision to return. “Mine is a whole separate thing, and I don’t want mine to be a decision,” Rivers said. “I mean, I’m coming back until I say I’m not. Mine’s not that important. It really isn’t. It’s really important with them though.” Boston Herald

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce, Doc Rivers, Coaching, Kevin Garnett