Peter May: Walker For Brian Grant Trade Discussed

[Way Of The Ray <wayray@ix.netcom.com>]

And he also tells us, that Pitino and Walker really dislike
one another.


                                [The Boston Globe Online][Boston.com]
                                [Boston Globe Online / Sports]

                                PRO BASKETBALL
                                A few Stern words on tough issues

                                By Peter May, Globe Staff, 10/11/98
                                (snip)

Happy trails?

If you're Antoine Walker, you might want to check residential listings in the
Portland area. Word around the league is that the Celtics have been calling to
check on the health of oft-injured Trail Blazers forward Brian Grant. The
obvious bait is Walker, who is determined to be the next $100 million player
while the Celtics are every bit as determined not to pay him that because he's
still much too raw. Walker for Grant, even up, would not fit under the
previous cap guidelines, but it might under the new ones. Grant is slated to
earn $6 million this season, the second of a seven-year, $56 million deal.
Walker is to receive a shade more than $2.1 million. The Celtics could absorb
the difference, but it might hurt them in the free agent market. Or they could
try to get Portland to take on one of their many contract undesirables to make
the deal financially even. Portland could do the same with someone such as
Walt Williams, for instance. The spat between Walker and Pitino this summer
only served to illuminate what both sides have been trying to hide: They don't
get along. As one executive familiar with the Boston situation said recently,
''Why do you think Antoine left Kentucky in the first place?'' Grant is not as
good as Walker, but he doesn't bring as much baggage. He's also about $40
million cheaper and already signed through 2004. But injuries are a concern;
he has played in just 85 games over the last two years. Walker and Rasheed
Wallace would make the All-Hothead front line in addition to taking a chunk
out of billionaire owner Paul Allen's hefty bank account.