Kemp Trade Done, what about Celts Portland Trade

["Josh Farber" <nbaj2k@home.com>]

With the Kemp/Grant trade practically done, what happens with the possible
Celtics Portland deal?

Josh
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Kemp to Portland is done deal
By TOM WITHERS
AP Sports Writer
August 16, 2000


CLEVELAND (AP) -- Shawn Kemp and his gigantic contract, which the Cleveland
Cavaliers have been trying to unload since 1998, will be off their hands by
the end of the month.

An NBA source confirmed Wednesday that Kemp will be dealt to the Portland
Trail Blazers in a complex, three-team trade also involving the Miami Heat.

Miami will get forward Brian Grant, and Cleveland will get forwards Clarence
Weatherspoon and Chris Gatling, cash and a future No. 1 pick -- either in
2001 or 2002 -- from the Heat, as well as guard Gary Grant from Portland.

Kemp, a six-time All-Star forward, signed a seven-year, $98 million contract
in 1997. He was slated to make $46.5 million from 2002-04.

With Kemp on the payroll, the Cavs couldn't maneuver under the salary cap
and were facing a luxury tax next year. But this deal means their fiscal
worries are over.

Under league rules, the trade can not be announced until Aug. 26 because
Gatling was already involved in another trade in the last 60 days. In all
likelihood, the deal will be announced a few days later, according to an NBA
source who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Heat guard Dan Majerle, who was rumored to be a part of the deal, is not
involved in the trade, the source said.

Kemp became the Cavs' first marquee player when he arrived via a three-way
trade from Seattle in 1997. The high-flying ``Reign Man'' was a box-office
draw in Cleveland with his array of high-flying dunks and post moves.

But despite playing well in 1998 under then-coach Mike Fratello, Kemp's game
began to decline as his waistline expanded. He was out of shape most of the
1997-98 season, which was mostly ignored since he still put up great
offensive numbers.

It was then that the Cavs began toying with the idea of trading their best
player. Kemp gave Cleveland further reason to doubt his dedication when he
arrived at training camp after the lockout in 1999 weighing over 300 pounds.

No longer a skywalker, Kemp's game was even more earthbound this past
season. His average of 17.8 points per game was his lowest since 1992-93 and
his .417 shooting percentage was a career worst.

Kemp also led the league in personal fouls and finished third in turnovers.

The 30-year-old was a bigger headache off the court, arriving late for
games, team meetings and flights. Before one of the Cavs' biggest home games
against the Los Angeles Lakers, Kemp got to Gund Arena just 45 minutes
before tipoff.

Kemp promised to rededicate himself this past off-season, vowing to get in
shape. It was a promise the Cavs had heard before and one they were
convinced Kemp couldn't keep.

Gatling, a nine-year veteran who has spent time with seven NBA teams, wasn't
happy when he learned of the deal last week.