SportsLine's take on Knight--from the Lakers column

[STRAUSS@WCUVAX1.WCU.EDU]

   [ISMAP]-CBS SportsLine/Pro Sports Xchange
   
                              Los Angeles Lakers
                                       
   
  HOT TOPICS:
  
   GETTING INSIDE
   
   The re-signings of small forwards Robert Horry and Jerome Kersey are
   more important than ever for the Lakers in the aftermath of losing two
   free agents to teams who were able to outbid them.
   
   Backup power forward Travis Knight signed with the Boston Celtics for
   $22 million in a seven-year deal that has an out clause after three
   seasons. And reserve shooting guard Byron Scott signed a two-year deal
   with Panthinaikos of Greece for $2.5 million. Panthinaikos is the same
   team Dominique Wilkins played for in 1995-96.
   
   In Knight, the Lakers lost a promising, young, hustling rebounder. In
   Scott, they lost a veteran leader who set a great example and was
   particularly a positive influence on emotional starters Nick Van Exel
   and Elden Campbell.
   
...
   
   Knight also was a valued teammate and very coachable, qualities that
   appear to be essential in an NBA world in which teams are rebuilt or
   revamped so often. Lakers management wants continuity and stability so
   its team can grow and win together. That aspect already has been
   altered with the loss of Knight and Scott and it could change even
   more if Kersey doesn't return. That would mean adding yet another
   newcomer to the mix and seeing if he can meld on and off the court
   with a team that has championship goals.
   
...
   
   As for Knight, he decided to go to Boston in part because of his
   respect for new Celtics coach Rick Pitino, not to mention the
   impossible-to-pass-up $22 million.
   
   Knight could not pass on the opportunity to secure his financial
   future, even though he repeatedly had said he wanted to remain with
   the Lakers despite their inability to offer him a substantial salary
   increase (until 1998 or 1999) and regardless of what other teams
   offered.
   
   What he didn't expect was a $22 million offer.
   
   Why did the Celtics offer so much to a rookie backup?
   
   Well, he's 7 feet and can run the floor like he's 6-7. Plus, he
   hustles on the boards and is a smart defender, particularly against
   the pick-and-roll.
   
   Knight's agent, Arn Tellem, talked to almost a dozen teams on July 1,
   all of whom were interested in a 23-year-old who appears to have great
   potential. In his rookie season alone, he rose from 12th man to backup
   power forward and, due to injuries, started for a three week stretch.
   In another stretch, Knight played more minutes than starter Elden
   Campbell and was on the floor during the fourth quarter in close
   games.
   
   So Knight, who loves going to the beach in L.A. and respects Lakers
   management, thought he could wait one to two seasons for a big payoff
   when the Lakers could pay him substantially under either the early
   bird exception or the Larry Bird exception.
   
   But when the Celtics started talking about $3 million per year, he
   began to listen.
   

   Copyright © 1997 SportsLine USA, Inc. All rights reserved.
   CBS "eye device" is a registered trademark of CBS Inc.