Celtics acquire Olowokandi; Green, Brooks, Williams are born.
On this significant day in Boston Celtics history, the renowned team traded wing Ricky Davis, center Mark Blount, guard Marcus Banks, forward Justin Reed, and two second-round picks to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2006. In return, Boston acquired forward Wally Szczerbiak, center Michael Olowokandi, power forward Dwayne Jones, and a first-round draft pick. While initially appearing inconsequential, this trade paved the way for subsequent deals that brought Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett to Boston in the following years.
Additionally, it marks the birthday of former Celtic forward Sly Williams, born in 1958 in New Haven, Connecticut. Williams, drafted by the New York Knicks, played briefly for the Celtics before being released after six games due to personal reasons, averaging 2.8 points and 2.5 rebounds per game.
MarShon Brooks, a former Boston guard, was born today in 1989 in Long Branch, New Jersey. Drafted by the Celtics in 2011 but quickly traded to the Nets, he returned to Boston as part of the trade involving Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. Brooks played two seasons with the Celtics before being traded to the Golden State Warriors.
Lastly, former Boston forward Gerald Green, born in 1986 in Houston, Texas, entered the NBA directly from high school and endured a journey through various teams before rejoining the Celtics in 2016. Green notably won the slam dunk contest during NBA All-Star weekend in 2007 and contributed 8 points and 2.1 rebounds per game during his three seasons with Boston.
