There is a divide currently on who is right in the recent Pat Riley-Jimmy Butler trade drama. The divide seems to seep into former championship-winning duo and current best friends as well. Kevin Garnett and Paul Peirce on their podcast have discussed the saga at length. The latter always has hard words for the President and his “Heat Culture” meanwhile the former is trying to understand The Godfather’s point of view. That’s why a fan reminded KG about his personal trade experience.

“So what was Danny Ainge mentality when you got shipped to Brooklyn? Lmao.” The question from the supporter got a reply from the 15x All-Star, “@ky__ren RIGHT 🤷🏿‍♂️… TRADITIONAL THINKING 💯.”

This was about Kevin Garnett’s trade from the Celtics to the Nets back in 2013. Danny Ainge, a former Celtics champion, would join the front office role and was the one to form the Big 3 in the Beantown. But he was also the one to break that up.

Ainge moved not just KG, but his best friend Peirce as well along with Jason Terry and D.J. White in exchange for five players plus 3 first rounds of picks. Naturally, the move was criticized by the Celtics fan base, but today it was instrumental in bringing that 18th banner.

Those first-round picks helped them draft franchise cornerstones, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Investing in the future is what KG tried to explain to Peirce during their conversation.

“Pat Riley is like, you’re declining. And if I’m going to make an investment, it’s going to be for that decline, not the incline. You understand?” Ultimately, it is all business from the 2004 MVP’s point of view. But The Truth has scathing comments for Pat Riley and his behavior.

Kevin Garnett agreed with Paul Peirce pointing out Miami’s tradition

Seeing the Heat not put up a fight in the Eastern Conference, some fans used Riley’s 79 years as an excuse and called him “washed.” However, The Godfather has been champion 9 times, including his time as a player, assistant coach, coach, and now an executive.

Over the years, he has coached many notable names like Shaquille O’Neal, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, and others. Evidently, they all were traded out during their time.

This is what Peirce exactly pointed out. “Once I got what, Shaq, I got a chip out of you, all right, who gives a f–k about him. LeBron, all right, get out. Wade, you too. Once I get what I want out of you, kick rocks.” This is when Kevin Garnett agreed and chimed in “Heat tradition.”

That’s what the majority of the discourse is about. The treatment of Pat Riley or the stubbornness of Jimmy Butler. It will be interesting what the future holds if the two are on the same page.