Powered by the offseason blockbuster acquisitions of perennial All-Stars Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to join with established star Paul Pierce, the trade enabled the Celtics to finish the season with a record of 66–16 in addition to posting the best single-season turnaround in NBA history.
[16] He was acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Theo Ratliff, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, Boston's 2009 first-round draft pick (top three protected), the return of Minnesota's conditional first-round draft pick previously obtained in the 2006 Ricky Davis–Wally Szczerbiak trade and cash considerations.
[17] By adding Garnett to Celtics veteran Paul Pierce and perennial All-Star Ray Allen, the trade brought a new era of relevance to the long-struggling franchise, but it also left the roster short-handed.
[25] On September 26, center Esteban Batista and guard Dahntay Jones signed non-guaranteed contracts with the Celtics, two days before the beginning of training camp and the team's departure to Rome for the 2007 NBA Europe Live Tour.
[27] Later in the season, on December 18, the Celtics released yet another player, Brandon Wallace, in order to have even more roster flexibility that coach Doc Rivers said they needed.
[29][30] His decision to come to Boston was strongly aided by a conversation with future teammates Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, who convinced him to sign with the Celtics during the 2008 NBA All-Star Weekend.
[32] After the signing, Cassell immediately flew back to his hometown of Baltimore to attend funeral services for a deceased family member.