Kevin Garnett, the 36-year-old emotional leader of the Boston Celtics, has re-signed with club, according to the Boston Herald. Marc Spears of Yahoo says Garnett has inked a 3-year, $34 million contract.

So it appears Boston’s glorious run is not quite over. They’ll lose Ray Allen to free agency – he’s rumored to go to Miami, where all aging shooters end up – but it isn’t a huge loss for the Celtics because young Avery Bradley will slide into the starting role.

Paul Pierce has two more years left on his contract. Rajon Rondo will return as point guard. With the Garnett situation cleared up, the next biggest free agent question is what becomes of Jeff Green.

If Green returns, the guess here is that he, along with rookies Jared Sullinger and Fab Melo, will be relied upon heavily to give Garnett and Pierce rest during the 82-game regular season so they’re properly rested for the postseason.

KG’s return has the Top of the East shaping up this way:
1. Miami
2. Boston
3. Philadelphia
4. Indiana
5. Atlanta
6. New York
7. Chicago (assuming Rose is out until early February)
8. Brooklyn/Cleveland (assuming Brooklyn keeps Deron Williams)