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Seven years ago, the Celtics built one of the first modern super teams, with All-Stars Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen coming to Boston to team up with longtime Celtics star Paul Pierce and young point guard Rajon Rondo. In their first year together, the new-look Celtics won 66 games in the regular season and beat the Lakers in the NBA Finals.

On December 18th, the Celtics traded away the last remaining member of that team, as Boston sent Rajon Rondo to the Mavericks for three players. Rondo had played for the Celtics since being drafted to the team in 2006, and was named to four All-Star teams during his stay.

Paul Pierce, who played in Boston for 15 seasons before being traded along with Kevin Garnett in 2013, said he was “shocked” that the Celtics let Rondo go, but understands the business behind the deal.

Via the Boston Herald:

“Not a lot of trades happen in mid-December. You know, teams are trying to find their stride. But we had a chance to talk. We had our weekly mass text, and he understood the situation. The Celtics were either going to go in one direction, build around him, or continue with the youth movement. So I think Rondo understood it.

I was shocked definitely, because I thought this was a year they were going to maybe this summer find some pieces to put around him. But he had a great run in Boston, and as long as he’s happy, that’s all that matters.”

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(Thanks to Eye on Basketball for sharing this story.)