Jim Baker: Celts Eye Penny

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

      Boston Herald
      Celts eye Penny
      by Jim Baker 
      Monday, May 31, 1999
      Might the Celtics land Penny Hardaway in a trade with Orlando for Ron 
      Mercer and Kenny Anderson?
      NBC studio analyst Peter Vecsey raised the issue during last night's 
      Knicks-Pacers Eastern Conference final opener, indicating the C's may be 
      ready to deal two stars for Hardaway.
      Vecsey said he talked with Magic GM John Gabriel, who indicated he'll have 
      a ``brutally frank'' conversation with Hardaway soon about his future.
      Hardaway has an escape clause and four years left on his $40 million 
      contract, Vecsey said.
      ``They might just say to each other, `Hey, it's time to go.' But, of 
      course, the Magic would love to get compensation and sources tell me the 
      Celtics are thinking very seriously of offering Mercer and Anderson for 
      Penny,'' Vecsey said.
      Studio host Hannah Storm pointed out the Celtics would still need a point 
      guard because Hardaway had made it ``immensely clear'' that he's going to 
      play off-guard.
      Vecsey responded: ``They (the Celtics) have $2 million to go out and get a 
      substitute point guard (for Anderson). It would have to be a starting 
      point guard and it's going to be very difficult to find that guy.''