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.''