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GETTING INSIDE
As the start of the trade and free-agent signing period nears, the Celtics
have gained some knowledge about additions. But some of the subtractions
have yet to be deciphered.

Midway through the Boston Pro Summer League -- the Celts' second circuit
appearance in the last month -- the club is certain of signing one free
agent (Adrian Griffin) and likely to add another (Wayne Turner). But there
is still nothing set on potential deals involving either Ron Mercer or
Antoine Walker. Or both.

Rick Pitino has all but said that only Paul Pierce is untouchable on the
Boston roster, and he has acknowledged that the names of Walker and Mercer
have arisen in trade talks this summer. It would not be out of the realm of
possibility for the Celts to close a deal for one or both on Sunday (Aug.
1), the day transactions resume.

"We're looking to see what we can do to make the Boston Celtics a better
team," Pitino said.

That's his way of saying the door is open for moves without implying that
his top people are being shopped. Yet Pitino has to wonder whether he will
ever be able to come to terms with Mercer, particularly in light of the
budget that Celtic ownership says he must live within. In addition, the
success that Pierce had playing the two guard position in the LA Summer Pro
League left the club thinking it would not be left wanting at that spot
should Mercer be sent away for a forward.

Mercer is eligible to sign an extension this summer, but the sides were not
close in their first meeting.

The trouble with a Walker move, as mentioned before, lies in his base-year
status. Any team wanting Walker must be able to absorb a $9 million slot,
while the Celtics can only accept some $4.5 million worth of talent in
return. There has been talk about using a team under the cap (namely
Chicago) to facilitate a maneuver, but it is a difficult line to walk.

Walker didn't help himself in the eyes of Boston fans when he did not attend
the local summer league. Pitino said rightfully that a player of Walker's
status generally does not come to such events, but the problem is that
Walker stated on at least three occasions publicly that he would participate
in the games as an act of support for the club and to test his rehabilitated
ankle.

When word came that Walker wasn't going to play, it was at least hoped that
he would show up and take part in some of the activities with the young
fans. But he had yet to arrive as the week was coming to a close.

As for those in attendance, Griffin, a 6-5 guard out of Seton Hall, proved
his case well enough to claim the roster spot formerly belonging to Bruce
Bowen. Bowen participated with the Celts in LA, but he was a longshot to be
retained for a third year.

Rookie Turner, a former Pitino pupil at Kentucky, may stick with the Celts,
as well. His outside shooting weakness has not gone away, but the staff is
impressed with the may he advances the ball and gets the team into its
offense. And with the greater enforcement of contact rules expected this
season, Turner's foot quickness should boost his stock at both ends of the
floor.

NOTES, QUOTES, ANECDOTES
Another former UK Wildcat, Jeff Sheppard, wowed the summer league fans on
opening night with some slick moves and acrobatic dunks. The next day, he
wowed the Celtic brass by disappearing.

Unknown to the Celts, Sheppard had been working on a deal with an Italian
club, and when word came through on Tuesday that a $300,000 contract was
his, he took off. He did try to speak with Pitino, but the connections kept
being missed. Word is that Sheppard was uncertain about what kind of NBA
shot he'd get this year after feeling he had been dealt with oddly in
Atlanta last season. Newly married, he decided to go for the sure payday.

The NBA still looms in his future. ...

NBA types at the Boston summer league have raved about the crowds, which
have been boosted heavily by outreach on the part of the Celts and the city
to youth groups. ...

Tony Battie and his brother, Derek, have been playing for the Celts here.
"We want to have a Battie on the court at all times," Derek cracked. ...

Counting the LA loop, the Celts are 11-0 this summer heading into their
Friday game. ...

When Sheppard left, his spot was taken by Pat Bradley, a University of
Arkansas product from neighboring Everett, Mass. ...

Draftee Kris Clack has been fairly nondescript in the league. He will have
to be in better shape by October to have a shot at making the club.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We have this crucial game tonight against ... who are we
playing?" -- GM Chris Wallace, joking before the Celtics' opener in the
Boston Summer League.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
Rick Pitino has said he wants the Celtics to become older, but he's added
that he won't change the roster simply for the sake of change.

That differs from when he arrived and said he needed different people to rid
the club of the defeatist feeling that had developed -- particularly in the
15-win season that preceded him immediately.

The belief is that everyone but Paul Pierce may be available if the package
is right. And with the Celtics holding attractive young talent, sources have
said the club will get to field some very decent offers for the likes of Ron
Mercer and Antoine Walker. Nothing much materialized on draft day. But now
that teams have had time to assess their rosters (before trading begins
again Aug. 1), there is the chance that talks could be rekindled.

DRAFT REVIEW: The Celtics did look at dealing their pick -- 55th overall --
but when they saw Kris Clack falling toward them, they could only hope he'd
still be there. Mind you, no one is ordering a 17th championship banner or
anything, but to find a player who fits their style that late in the draft
was a pleasant surprise.

FREE AGENT UPDATE: Damon Jones, Marlon Garnett and Eric Riley went into the
summer with strong hopes of remaining with the Celtics. But their prospects
have dimmed considerably, to the point where none is expected back. The same
goes for Bruce Bowen -- even though Greg Minor, who pushed ahead of Bowen
late in the year, is questionable because of his hip injury.

ROTATION REVIEW: Starters -- Point guard Kenny Anderson (12.1 ppg, 5.7 apg);
Off guard Ron Mercer (17.0 ppg); Small forward Paul Pierce (16.5 ppg, 1.71
spg, 6.4 rpg); Power forward Antoine Walker (18.7 ppg, 8.5 rpg); Center
Vitaly Potapenko (10.8 ppg, 7.2 rpg with Celts). Bench -- Guard Dana Barros
(9.3 ppg, 4.2 apg, 23.1 mpg); Guard Damon Jones (5.8 ppg); Guard/Forward
Greg Minor (4.9 ppg); Forward Popeye Jones (18 gp); Forward Walter McCarty
(5.7 ppg); Forward/Center Tony Battie (6.7 ppg, 1.42 bpg); Center Eric Riley
(2.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 9.6 mpg).

MEDICAL WATCH: Pervis Ellison (ankle surgery), Greg Minor (right hip
fracture) and Popeye Jones (left knee surgery) ended the season on the
injured list.