Vescey on Walker

[Josh Ozersky <josh_ozersky@yahoo.com>]

The following is not from Jersey Red, ESPN International, or talk
radio.  Here is Peter Vescey, the most authoritative insider in pro
basketball:  

On the other hand, nobody was rooting harder for the Bulls to beat the
Jazz than Rick Pitino. Obviously, if Jordan returns and Pippen re-ups
(we're positive he won't accept anything less than a two-year blow-up
deal), the Bulls won't have the financial wherewithal to seduce
Antoine Walker a year from now when the Chicago-bred All-Star becomes
a free agent. 

Understand this: If the Bulls don't have what it takes to pry away
Walker from the Celtics, he'll stay put. There is no third option.
It's either the Celtics (at roughly $15 million per; unless the salary
cap rules change this summer) or the Bulls at comparable money. And
you can quote me.

Back to Josh:  trading walker now would be criminal.  If you can't pay
him Garnett money, and he won't take less, then you have to trade him,
but wouldn't it be insane to trade him, and then hammer out a CBA with
some kind of franchise player rule that would have allowed you to keep
him at a reasonable sum?  Just asking.





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