Mitch Lawrence: Why Pitino Is Shopping Antoine

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

Q: When Rick Pitino lectured on the basketball camp circuit 
this past offseason, he had a standard line about his leading scorer,
Antoine Walker: Someday, he'll be the best power forward in the NBA.
So why is Pitino busy telling other clubs that he'll listen to trade offers
for Walker?

 Celtic COB Paul Gaston has laid down the law, prohibiting
Pitino from paying Walker or anyone else on the team in excess of 
$100 million. It remains to be seen how much Walker will command once a
new collective bargaining agreement is in place. But if it's the kind of
money Gaston refuses to pay, Pitino wants to get something for Walker before 
he walks out the Fleet Center door after this coming season.