TSN report

[peter delevett <pdelevett@amcity.com>]

Boston Celtics
Team Report posted JUNE 12, 1999      

                         By TSN correspondent
                         Peter May
                         Boston Globe

                         Why are the Celtics trying to move someone who, when
he was drafted, was declared to be one-half of the "dream backcourt" by the
coach himself? 

                         The team says it's possibly about the money, but that
is very hard to stomach. It is not the Marlins or Twins. The Celtics make
money. They have a tradition of taking care of their players. Pitino insists
he's on a $37-million budget for next season, which is interesting given that
the payroll with no new additions is more than $40 million. Mercer would add
to that, for certain, but that's the nature of the game. 

                         Pitino wasted no time signing Walter McCarty for
three years at $2.8 million a year, so he can't use money as a reason. Pitino
says he will make Mercer a very generous offer. But will it be enough? Will it
be made knowing it won't be enough? Or will it be enough to make Mercer look
greedy by saying no, which, to most fans, could be the NBA minimum. 

[NB - Mo Vaughn, anyone?]

                         So if it's not about the money, it must be something
else. The Celtics aren't certain about what Mercer really wants. He's got new
representation-No Limit Sports, the company started by rapper Master P. They
must be getting signals from somewhere that re-signing him will be difficult.
So, the trade talks. And make no mistake, the Celtics are the ones initiating
the calls. But teams also know Mercer with his relatively small (by NBA
standards) salary of $2.3 million, is a bargain. . . . 

                         Pitino said there was no truth to another rumor that
would have the Celtics ship Mercer to the Bulls for the No. 5 pick. Chicago
would get the pick from Toronto in a trade-down that also would include Tracy
McGrady. The impetus for that is Chicago GM Jerry Krause's affinity for both
players. When the Celtics almost acquired Scottie Pippen two years ago for two
first-rounders, the thinking was at the time that Krause would use the picks
on McGrady and Mercer. . . . 

[I hope this rumor ain't true, 'cause I'd hate to hand Krause the player he
needs to run the triangle to another NBA championship. C'mon, Rick, if an
astute guy like Krause is salivating over Mercer, why can't you see his value?]