Thoughts

[Jeremy Warren <jwarren@emerald.tufts.edu>]

	First of all I just want to point out that there is no longer any
such thing as a "salary slot".  The new CBA got rid of them.  Whatever
amount a team has under the cap can be offered to any one player with 20%
raises every year.  This is why LA could offer Shaq $120M over seven years
instead of just offering him money from the highest slot and why we (quite
fortunately) could only offer Dominique $4M per year (using Robert
Parish's slot) three years ago.
	Secondly I agree that we need to take a strong look at drafting a
point guard with the Dallas pick (Wesley may leave), but that point guard
is not Jacque Vaugh.  Chauncey Billups and Brevin Knight have much more
pro potential than Vaughn.
	That being said we should definitally take the best players
available with both picks.  Even if that means taking Mercer and Billups.
Yes we would have an incredible logjam at both guard spots.  But Mercer
and Billups would be able to match up with any guard duo in the league for
years to come.  Ideally (and realistically) I would be very satisfied with
Duncan and Billups.  Billups would need a few years to develop into a
bonafide NBA point guard, but Wesley can hold the fort down until then.
And Wesley/Minor/Billups would make a solid three guard rotation.
	Lastly if we do resign Rick Fox it has to be after Wesley is
resigned.  If Wesley bolts the only positive outcome is $3-4M more in cap
space the next few years.  And that would be negated by resigning Fox long
term.  If Fox really wants to stay in Boston, he shouldn't exercise his
option.

Jeremy