More details in Fort to Knicks proposed trade

[kevin.lok@lycosmail.com (kevin/singapore)]

http://newyorkpost.com/sports/knicks/7327.htm
While Brian Grant remains their first choice, the Knicks and Celtics continued to work yesterday on a sign-and-trade deal involving power forward Danny Fortson that has become complicated because of base-year issues. Layden was said to be waiting for a counter-offer from Celtics GM Chris Wallace. Bottom line is if the Celtics want guard Chris Childs, Boston would have to add in another player such as Calbert Cheaney or Walter McCarty to make it work under the incredibly complex base-year element.
Fortson qualifies as a base-year case because he stands to make more than a 20-percent raise on his next deal - a contract that likely will begin at $4 million. Under base-year rules, the Celtics can only take back players worth half of Fortson's salary - $2 million - unless they add another player.
Cheaney is a fit because he makes $2.2M. Cheaney and Fortson ($2 million) would nearly equal Childs' $4.6M wage. If the Celtics want Erick Strickland ($2.6M) instead of Childs, then the Knicks have to clear up about $1.4M to make room for Fortson's $4 million by trading a player somewhere else for a draft pick