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Pitino says deal with European team for Radja close

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http://www.nando.net/newsroom/ap/bkb/1997/nba/bos/feat/archive/070997/bos73891.html




WALTHAM, Mass. (Jul 9, 1997 - 17:45 EDT) -- Dino Radja appears headed to
a team in Greece, a
deal that could be completed by the weekend and free up nearly $3
million for the Boston Celtics to
spend on a player coach Rick Pitino prefers.

"It's progressing," Pitino said of negotiations to unload the 6-foot-11
forward who failed a physical after
being traded to Philadelphia June 20. "We should know something within
12 to 72 hours."

Pitino spoke Wednesday after the end of the Celtics' four-day camp for
free agents. Radja reportedly
flew to Greece Monday, and was believed to be close to joining
Panathinaikos AC.

An agreement reportedly hit a snag, but Radja still is expected to sign
with the team, the Boston Globe
reported Wednesday.

Radja was scheduled to make about $5.6 million next season and is under
contract to Boston for three
years. If he leaves, "we would have about $2.8 million to work with,"
Pitino said.

He likely would use that money on a free agent center or power forward.

Pitino had hoped to unload Radja's contract before the team signed free
agent center Travis Knight to a
seven-year, $22 million contract Monday. Instead, to fit him under the
salary cap, Pitino renounced the
rights to two free agents he wanted to keep, Rick Fox and Marty Conlon,
and seven he didn't want.

Pitino, who expects Radja to play in Europe next season, said the
complexity of the contract was
holding up the deal.

The Celtics had traded Radja to the 76ers for forwards Clarence
Weatherspoon and Michael Cage,
who passed their physicals with Boston.

But Radja, who balked at going to Philadelphia, failed his physical and
the deal was nullified. The
Celtics believed he was healthy and filed an appeal of the nullification
with the NBA but withdrew it
before a hearing.

Radja missed much of the 1995-96 season with an ankle injury and all but
25 games last season. He
had arthroscopic knee surgery in January.

Radja led the Celtics in scoring and rebounding in 1995-96.

- --

Cheers,

                 Michael


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<H2>Pitino says deal with European team for Radja close<HR></H2>
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   WALTHAM, Mass. (Jul 9, 1997 - 17:45 EDT) -- Dino Radja appears headed to a team in Greece, a deal that could be completed by the weekend and free up nearly $3 million for the Boston Celtics to spend on a player coach Rick Pitino prefers.<P>

   "It's progressing," Pitino said of negotiations to unload the 6-foot-11 forward who failed a physical after being traded to Philadelphia June 20. "We should know something within 12 to 72 hours."<P>

   Pitino spoke Wednesday after the end of the Celtics' four-day camp for free agents. Radja reportedly flew to Greece Monday, and was believed to be close to joining Panathinaikos AC.<P>

   An agreement reportedly hit a snag, but Radja still is expected to sign with the team, the Boston Globe reported Wednesday.<P>

   Radja was scheduled to make about $5.6 million next season and is under contract to Boston for three years. If he leaves, "we would have about $2.8 million to work with," Pitino said.<P>

   He likely would use that money on a free agent center or power forward.<P>

   Pitino had hoped to unload Radja's contract before the team signed free agent center Travis Knight to a seven-year, $22 million contract Monday. Instead, to fit him under the salary cap, Pitino renounced the rights to two free agents he wanted to keep, Rick Fox and Marty Conlon, and seven he didn't want.<P>

   Pitino, who expects Radja to play in Europe next season, said the complexity of the contract was holding up the deal.<P>

   The Celtics had traded Radja to the 76ers for forwards Clarence Weatherspoon and Michael Cage, who passed their physicals with Boston.<P>

   But Radja, who balked at going to Philadelphia, failed his physical and the deal was nullified. The Celtics believed he was healthy and filed an appeal of the nullification with the NBA but withdrew it before a hearing.<P>

   Radja missed much of the 1995-96 season with an ankle injury and all but 25 games last season. He had arthroscopic knee surgery in January.<P>

   Radja led the Celtics in scoring and rebounding in 1995-96.<P>

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