Fortson Turns C's Down, Says Trade Me To The Knicks

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

Sunday,July 9,2000

FOR KNICKS, FORTSON IS NEXT-BEST THING
By MARC BERMAN - New York Post


Free-agent Danny Fortson, the Celtics' rugged power forward, has turned
down Boston's latest seven-year, $31-million offer and has requested to
be dealt in a sign-and-trade, telling management his first priority is
to play for the Knicks.
The Celtics and Knicks have been working on a deal for eight days, but
Boston had hoped Fortson would accept its offer so it wasn't in any rush
to pull off a trade. Atlanta and Golden State have also talked to
Celtics' GM Chris Wallace about a deal.

Because Fortson is a base-year compensation case, a sign-and-trade is
difficult. The Celtics can only take back half of his $4 million
first-year salary.

That's why the Celtics and Knicks have attempted to add marginal players
to the deal to complement a Chris Childs-for-Fortson swap. The problem
is that neither team has many throw-in type players.

The Knicks and Celtics may have to each sign one of their own bit-part
free agents - such as the Knicks' Andrew Lang and Boston's Doug Overton
- and include them in the deal as throw-ins. However, both players would
have to agree to the deal.

"It's not dead, but it's complicated," a Knicks official told The Post.

Fortson, 24, missed more than two months last season - his first in
Boston - with a stress fracture. He played behind Antoine Walker. Two
seasons ago, playing center for the Nuggets at just 6-71/2, Fortson
averaged 11 points and 11.6 rebounds per game.

Fortson would be a significant improvement for a team in need of a
rebounding forward. He is not Brian Grant, but he is the next-best
option.


 (My comments are Chris Childs & NY Uber Trash - yuck.
Of course, they don't have to actually trade him to Knicks,
helping a team in their division. A smart GM wouldn't do that...)