Time For The Celtics To Trade With The Magic - Everyone Else Has

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

Il Duce, they're calling out to you like the Sirens that tempted
Odysseus:
"Rick, why won't you make a trade with us? Rick, Rick, where are you?
This is John Gabriel of the Magic and we need to talk Rick, a trade, 
don't resist...."

And Pitino should't resist. There's no reason to lash him to the Celtics
masthead to prevent him from answering Orlando's call for they possess
seven back-up power forward/center types in Armon Gilliam, Ben Wallace, 
Derek Strong, Pat Garrity, Terry Davis, Michael Smith, and Chris Gatling
- 
some of whom who could help the Celtics in a bench capacity. 

So, whom would you choose to trade for?

Derek Strong is locked in at $3 million a year till 2003, and nearly
died
after having a severe reaction to anesthesia.  I'd avoid him.

Armon Gilliam has one year to go at about $3 million; pretty good
offensively,
but not really cut out for Pitino's system.  Pass.

Michael Smith is at $2.3 million and he's also a free agent next year.
Two or three years ago, Steve Bulpett was mentioning that he be a good
fit for the Celtics.  A tandem of Walker and him would cause a lot of
mismatches because of Smith's abilty to run the court. I say he's a
possibility, especially with Pitino's rejuvenative powers.

Terry Davis is too old.

Pat Garrity is signed up for 2002 and he's not going anywhere. Same
thing for
Doleac.

Ben Wallace would be a lot more interesting if he didn't have a problem
with
his hand, and possibly not be ready to play until January. He has one
year
left at $900,000.  

So Gatling or Smith seem to be the best and most likely candidates.
Ray