WHOEVER declared the National Basketball Association (NBA) dead was paying attention only to the product on the court.

The real NBA season started Monday, when the Los Angeles Times reported on its web site that a blockbuster trade is being discussed that would solve two of the biggest off-season mysteries at once: the futures of Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett.

Bryant, who has stated emphatically that he wants to be traded, presumably would be pacified if the Lakers were successful in prying Garnett from the Minnesota Timberwolves for Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom and Kwame Brown. The trade would be stunning from the standpoint that it would directly affect two of the league’s biggest stars.

The Times first reported the potential trade as one involving as many as four teams, with the Indiana Pacers getting involved by sending their own disgruntled superstar, Jermaine O’Neal, to the Boston Celtics, for whom Garnett does not want to play.

Then came word that the talks, initiated Friday by Lakers owner Jerry Buss and Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, had evolved into a potential two-team deal for Garnett, with the Celtics backing out.

The Times reported that the Celtics were not keen on what they were getting out of the deal, presumably O’Neal, but also stressed that Boston holds the asset Minnesota general manager Kevin McHale wants the most for Garnett—the No. 5 pick in Thursday’s draft.

Bryant, who has been publicly silent for three weeks since stating emphatically that he wants to be traded, reportedly met with Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak on Friday and did not back down from his demand. His thoughts on the Garnett scenario should be known soon enough, as Bryant is scheduled to make a public appearance at his basketball camp in Santa Monica, California, this week, a source close to the player told Newsday.

The rapid acceleration of the Garnett talks on the heels of his public rejection of possibly being dealt to Boston, coupled with Taylor’s intervention in the matter, only buttressed the notion that Minnesota has been “pushing Garnett hard” to multiple teams, a person with knowledge of the situation said Monday.

The Lakers’ involvement, given the essential ultimatum from Bryant to surround him with championship-caliber talent or trade him, has invigorated two of the most intriguing off-season story lines.

On Thursday, the league will usher in two of the most-hyped talents in recent memory, Greg Oden and Kevin Durant, who will be selected with the first two picks of the draft. What happens after that will pack far more suspense.

Before the Lakers-Timberwolves discussions became public Monday, the buzz centered around the Phoenix Suns, who have scheduled workouts Tuesday with Joakim Noah, Brandan Wright, Corey Brewer and Jeff Green, a source confirmed. None of those players is expected to be available to Phoenix with the 24th and 29th selections, fueling speculation that the Suns are close to moving into the top 10.

The person with knowledge of the workouts also confirmed that the Suns and Celtics have engaged in “pretty legit” discussions involving the No. 5 pick and Shawn Marion. The Suns also have the Atlanta Hawks’ unprotected No. 1 pick in 2008 to peddle in such a deal.

A Garnett-to-the-Lakers blockbuster undoubtedly would overshadow any number of draft-day deals or free-agent signings that are materializing, but it wouldn’t be the only headline-grabber.

In news that was expected, Detroit Pistons point guard Chauncey Billups exercised his opt-out clause Monday and will become a free agent Sunday. But given the few teams with cap space, Billups is expected to re-sign with Detroit.

The Pacers, who don’t have a first-round pick, might turn to other suitors for O’Neal if they can’t revive the talks with the Celtics. The Hawks, who have the third and 11th selections, are thought to be entertaining offers for the No. 3 pick and might even be inclined to package both in a bigger deal.

Philadelphia 76ers GM Billy King, who has three first-round picks Thursday, has publicly shot down speculation that he’s considering trading point guard André Miller and the 12th pick to Atlanta for the third selection. The Hawks, perennially inept on draft day, also are said to be considering a deal for the Portland Trail Blazers’ Zach Randolph.

It’s typically not good for a sport when the off-season is more entertaining than the season itself. In this case, the NBA will take all the buzz it can handle. Obviously, there is plenty to go around.

For coach D, the battle is far from over

SUPPOSEDLY, Derrick Pumaren should be giddy about the turn of events. After a disappointing effort in the opener, the Talk ’N Text Phone Pals regrouped as quickly as they could and won the next two games of their semifinal series against defending champion Red Bull Barakos.

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UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas stopped De La Salle, 25-14, 25-21, 25-17, yesterday then nipped San Sebastian College in the tiebreak to clinch the first championship berth in the Shakeys V-League volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

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WHOEVER declared the National Basketball Association (NBA) dead was paying attention only to the product on the court.

THE title says it all as it was indeed an experience of a lifetime for the high-school players who attended the recent Nike-All Asia Basketball Camp in Beijing, China.