Fortson, Celts talk contract

[opi@unesco.org]

C's hold the Fortson
by Steve Bulpett
Friday, February 25, 2000

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - The Celtics made no trade by yesterday's
NBA deadline, but that doesn't mean they didn't accomplish anything. Not
only did  they come to the decision to keep Danny Fortson in the fold,
but they have also made a good first step on the path to keeping him a
Celtic when he becomes a free agent this summer.

``We've had some conversations, and it looks like things are headed in
the right direction,'' Fortson's agent, Raymond Brothers, said
yesterday. ``I really do think this is a good situation for Danny. Rick
Pitino is a great coach, and Chris Wallace is a great general manager.''

Told of Brothers' comment, Wallace laughed and said, ``Well, now he's
definitely going to get his deal.''

Turning a tad more serious, Wallace added, ``We want to proceed in a
direction that hopefully results in signing Danny this summer. I think
the main thrust of the remainder of the season is to just concentrate on
Danny's basketball and also continue to make him more and more
comfortable with the city and the organization and to create tangible
basketball reasons he'd want to stay.''

Pitino has given that process a jump-start by saying Fortson will take
on a larger role (lack of minutes is what had him asking out).

``I just want Danny to be happy, and he's happy playing basketball,''
Brothers said. ``I think as time goes on they'll see what kind of player
Danny is and they'll be more willing to make a long term commitment to
him. All Danny needs is an opportunity.''

Fortson was very pleased to hear Pitino say he'd be the primary backup
at both power forward and center.

``It's like giving the dog a bone,'' Fortson said. ``When I came here, I
wanted to play. It's as simple as that. I'll be all right once I get out
there playing and feeling like I'm part of the team, instead of feeling
like an outsider.''

 In a financial sense, Fortson said he is not asking the Celtics for the
moon. But Brothers is confident he will be able to attract more than the
$2.25 million mid-level salary cap exception that will be available this
summer.

``I think if Danny shows what he can do - and he's been showing for two
years that he can play - I think there will be an opportunity for him
above the mid-level exception,'' Brothers said.

The Celtics are hoping it's not too much above that number.

``I will assure you this: I'm not going for the maximum or nothing like
that,'' Fortson cracked, referring to the $9 million starting figure for
players in his experience bracket.

``Really I do think there's a good chance I'll sign (with the Celtics).
I don't hold grudges. My mind's open to everything. Like I've said,
basketball's my main concern. The stuff I said before (calling the club
a `sinking ship' after being traded to Toronto) was out of emotion,  but
when you get down and look at it, we've got good guys around here. I
like Paul (Pierce), I like Antoine (Walker) - I like all these guys.
It's a nice city to play for. It's just time to put two and two
together.''

Speaking of Pitino's concern about getting a deal done, Fortson said,
``He's the coach and president, so I guess he would have to worry a
little bit about some things. But I don't think there's anything that
can't be worked out.''

For Pitino, there was no sense of relief or of closure with the
deadline's passing.

``It really wasn't that big a deal to me or for us as a team,'' he said.
``I told most of these guys they weren't going to be traded. I think the
uncertainty of not knowing where you're going to be had to be difficult
for Danny, but that's over now.''