Celtics Turn Down Foster & Williams for Fort

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

      Boston Herald

      C's Star bid needs work 
      NBA All-Star Game Notebook/by Steve Bulpett 
      Monday, February 14, 2000  <snips>
     
      Plenty of interest in Fortson
      The Danny Fortson derby is heating up as teams head toward the home 
      stretch of the NBA trading period. With the deadline Feb. 24, all 
      indications are that the Celts will have ample opportunity to move the 
      power forward they have already sent to Toronto (before voiding the trade 
      Friday because of alleged problems with Alvin Williams' right knee).
      Then again, there are those who believe the Celtics might be better served 
      holding on to Fortson for the rest of the season to see if he plays his 
      way back into the picture. When he becomes a free agent this summer, the 
      Celts can either try to keep him or let him go elsewhere and pocket the 
      salary cap savings.
      It is known that at least Atlanta, Seattle and Milwaukee have interest in 
      Fortson. The Hawks have little the Celts should want (in a one-on-one or 
      even combination deal) unless they want to send a draft pick. Milwaukee, 
      too, does not have much it would be willing to give up that would be 
      attractive to the Celtics.
      Seattle is more intriguing, but sources said the Sonics' offer of Greg 
      Foster and Shammond Williams went nowhere with the Celts. Boston might, 
      however, be willing to talk about Ruben Patterson, who interested the 
      Celtics last summer, with maybe a Fred Vinson thrown in to make it work on 
      the salary cap.
      According to NBA sources, the Celtics are most interested in getting back 
      a taller point guard who can defend in return for Fortson.