what the hell?? SHOOT ME

[JOzersky@aol.com]

FROM THE HERALD site

A three-team deal that has Miami sending reserve center Ike Austin and Jamal 
Mashburn to Boston in return for Sacramento guard Mitch Richmond may still be
in the 
works.
Sources said the teams have spoken about Austin and Mashburn being shipped to

Boston, which, would move rookie guards Chauncey Billups and Ron Mercer to 
Sacramento. The Kings would then send Richmond, of Lauderdale Lakes, to
Miami.
The deal, according to one NBA source, was close to being finalized over the
past few 
days but stalled because the salary cap-maxed Celtics' feared they won't be
able to re-sign 
Austin, who becomes a free agent at the end of the season -- a major reason
the Heat is 
willing to trade him.
Boston could clear room by parting with higher-salaried players Pervis
Ellison, Dee 
Brown or Dana Barros. They likely would be moved to other teams not involved
in the 
three-team deal.
That is why talks have not competely broken down, the source said.
Boston may be willing to part 
with Austin at season's end and settle for just Mashburn, who would be
reunited with 
his collegiate coach, Rick Pitino.
Boston is not the only team with reservations, though. Sacramento also has
grown 
hesitant about moving Richmond at all, according to a source close the Kings.
``They told me he wasn't going anywhere,'' the source said.
Heat General Manager Randy Pfund was not available for comment.

Is this fucking insane or what????????