Dallas Morning News: Don Nelson Seeks Mercer For Walker

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

Thanks to Josh O. for mentioning this article... Hard to believe
Samaki Walker is the player that can be a future all-star...

      Dallas Morning News

      Mavs seeking deal for Celtics' Mercer 
      Nelson floats exchange for Walker
      07/30/99
      By Marc Stein / The Dallas Morning News
      Free-agent signings start Sunday in the NBA, and the Mavericks' plans 
      don't stop with retaining Gary Trent and Cedric Ceballos.
      Coach-general manager Don Nelson revealed Thursday that he is also 
      pursuing Boston's Ron Mercer in a sign-and-trade deal that would send 
      Samaki Walker to the Celtics.
      "There is some work that still needs to be done, but we're looking at it," 
      Nelson said. "If that's what Samaki wants - which is what I think he wants 
      - we'd be willing to do that if it can be worked out."
      Walker - who fell out of favor with Nelson after rejecting a four-year, 
      $20 million contract extension - is one of Dallas' four free-agent 
      forwards, along with Trent, Ceballos and A.C. Green. Mercer, ironically, 
      was drafted by Boston in 1997 with the unprotected lottery pick (No. 6) it 
      received from the Mavericks in a 1996 swap featuring Walker, Eric Montross 
      and the Celtics' Antoine Walker.
      Nelson admits a sign-and-trade deal "can't be easily done," because Samaki 
      Walker would first have to agree on contract terms with the Celtics and 
      sign that deal with the Mavericks. Boston, also expected to demand a 
      first-round draft pick in such an exchange, would then have to offer a 
      player (or players) with salary-cap numbers matching Walker's new wage.
      Boston has been openly shopping Mercer, the ex-Kentucky standout whose 
      negotiations for an extension with the Celtics quickly got ugly. If the 
      trade can be completed, the Mavericks would inherit Mercer's demands for 
      new contract - reportedly more than the $42 million over five years 
      Michael Finley received from Dallas.
      Mercer, a 6-7 shooting guard, averaged 15.9 points on 44.3-percent 
      shooting in his first two seasons and will earn roughly $2.3 million in 
      1999-2000 before becoming a free agent next summer. He would force the 
      Mavericks to shift Finley to small forward, with Dirk Nowitzki backing up 
      Mercer, Finley and - Nelson hopes - a re-signed Trent. It's doubtful the 
      Mavericks would also have room for Ceballos.
      The Celtics held a private workout with Walker recently, and agent Norm 
      Nixon said Monday that "it's pretty certain Samaki's not going to be back" 
      with the Mavericks.

    
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