The Peril Of Too Many Large Contracts or More Trades On The Way

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

If the Celtics keep their current roster of core players intact 
through the 2001 season, they face a severe salary cap crisis,
due to having too many large contracts. If you were to add up the
salaries of the C's best players for next season (approximating Battie
and Fortson's extensions), it would go something 
like this:

Walker    = 9 M

Anderson  = 7 M

Battie    = 7 M 

Fortson   = 7 M

Williams  = 6 M

Potapenko = 5 M


That's $41 million for just half the roster.  Now, perhaps $7 million
apiece
for Battie and Fortson may be a little high, but they're both
going to be in that general vicinity. And while, $41 million for half a
roster may be acceptable for multi-billionaires like MSG or Paul Allen,
the C's are stuck with Paul "I'm running the team as a business" Gaston,
who's would hit the roof, if his total payroll is over $50 million...

Which it very well could be if you factor in Barros' $3.5; McCarty's
$2.6; Minor's $2.8... any ways you get the drift.  And while the salary
cap will go up next season from $34 to around $37 million, St. Pauly's
boy will be hemmorahging if the Celtics are $14 or so million above the
cap.

So, the solution to this cap dilemma is: There are going to have to be
more 
deals. Pitino has to move out one or two of the core group, bringing
back in return, a quality player(s); and other players with short term 
contracts.  That way you keep the talent level of the team at a high
level
and keep the cheap bastard owner happy too.

Enjoy this current group of Celtics, but don't get too attached, because
changes
are coming....
Ray