A closer look at the Detroit offer

[DJessen33@aol.com]

Let's look at the Detroit trade rumor a little more closely. Per the news 
reports, the Pistons approached us as to Fortson. What would be their offer? 
Now I don't think we have to be in a hurry in trading Fortson. Basically all 
of the teams are over the cap and can only offer the middle class exception 
of 2-3 million a year. Since other young big players such as Battie, Camby, 
O'Neil and Cato are making 5-7 million a year, you got to think that you 
wouldn't be overpaying to sign Fortson to a reasonable salary of 4 million to 
stay with the Celts. I believe the top 4 free agents will sign with Orlando 
and Chicago and all of their money will be gone. I don't think they will 
carve out 4-5 million out of their available money for Duncan, Jones etc for 
Fortson. So we can outbid everyone and still sign him for a reasonable salary.

Now comes the issue of whether we want to keep him. It is nice to have a 
solid, enforcer type of the bench who can rebound. All teams would like to 
have this luxury. Initially, we believed we needed a rebounder in the 
starting lineup. However, now the VP has improved in the rebounding area and 
has cut down on the fouls, along with improved rebounding from Walker, Pierce 
and Griffen, it appears that we could get by without him. Now, we will always 
be small and a finesse team with Walker at the 4 and we will get beat up by 
the bruiser teams. However, it the Celts could learn to use their speed, they 
could offset this advantage. Regardless, it appears that Rick as determined 
that Walker will play only the 4. Therefore, Fortson will only play backup 
minutes. That is what makes Fortson expendable.

Back to the Detroit trade, what was the Pistons offering? I believe it was 
Laettner. The money seems to work for a Laettner for E Williams and Fortson. 
Look at their team. What else could they be offering? There was a recent 
newspaper article on why Laettner should be traded away. It seems to fit to 
me. Now the reports say Pitino countered with Fortson and Pervis for J 
Williams. The money works out right there also. I haven't seen Laettner for 
awhile. He really had game before. He can has a decent inside game and has a 
nice outside shot. He can hit that shot at the top of the key where the 
Celtic big men seem to spend most of their time in this offense. Laettner 
could really solidify the second unit, can rebound some and play some backup 
center. He would go well with Battie. However, supposedly he hasn't come back 
well from his Achilles injury. Again, I haven't seen him play for awhile. But 
there is also the Pitino/Laettner connection from March Madness. You got to 
know that Pitino respects him. Also remember the Stackhouse/Laettner fight. 
(In that case, I sided with Laettner...You don't have to show your cards if 
the other player folds...) Well, Stackhouse isn't going anywhere now that he 
made the All-Star team.

In conclusion, I would really like a trade for Laettner, as long he has 75% 
of the game he used to have. I wouldn't give up anymore, though, than the 
original trade offer, if correct (no number 1 included)...

DJessen33