Fortson May Be Back

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

Better than giving him away...

http://www.bostonherald.com/sport/basketball/cs08102000.htm

Fortson not gone just yet
by Mark Cofman
Thursday, August 10, 2000


The summer soap opera that has become Danny Fortson's free agency might
have taken another peculiar turn yesterday. According to a source, the
Celtics are now reconsidering their decision to allow the power forward
to walk.

Celtics president/coach Rick Pitino and general manager Chris Wallace -
perhaps figuring Fortson's rebounding and toughness could be assets to
their frontcourt for 25-30 minutes per game - were exploring ways they
might retain the three-year veteran, the source said.

Reached by phone last night, Wallace would neither confirm nor deny a
renewed interest in retaining Fortson.

``I don't want to come in and say it's more, less or whatever on that
front,'' said Wallace. ``It's ongoing. That would be the best way to
characterize it.''

Said the source: ``Stranger things have certainly happened in this
league, but this latest development is somewhat surprising. If you've
kept tabs on the situation with Fortson, you'd have to figure his
returning there would be the biggest longshot of the options available.

``Right now, though, it looks like there's at least a chance that could
happen for him.''

For those who haven't kept tabs, Fortson has been on hold since the free
agent market opened on July 1. The New York Knicks and Golden State
Warriors have gone after him aggressively, but each team has been turned
away by Fortson in attempts to sign him with their $2.25 million
exceptions.

That's left the Knicks and Warriors to try to work out a sign-and-trade
deal with the Celtics, who have been unsatisfied with the return
packages proposed by either team. Fortson has remained tight-lipped
during the tenuous process, but agent Raymond Brothers has indicated
that his client is frustrated things haven't moved more rapidly.

``We know wherever he's going to be, he'll be putting up double-doubles
every night if he gets the minutes,'' Brothers said. ``The bottom line
is winning games, and Danny knows he can help any team he plays for win
games.''

That the Celtics could still be that team adds an intriguing dimension
to an otherwise long and tedious negotiation process. Asked what it
would take for the Celtics to re-sign his client, Brothers would not
divulge a price tag.

But it's safe to assume Fortson is looking for something in the range of
six years and $30 million - essentially the same contract the Celtics
gave Vitaly Potapenko a year ago.

Financial aspects aside, Fortson's concern is playing time. He'd have to
back up Antoine Walker if he returned to the Celtics, but Fortson can
also play center and could accumulate 25 minutes per game coming off the
bench in both spots. If Walker shifted to small forward on occasion,
that would also open playing time for Fortson on the other side.