BskBall on Celtics - Mercer, Wahad

["Josh Farber" <nbaj2k@home.com>]

Here is what BskBall has to say about Mercer, Wahad.

What do ya think?

Josh

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07/21-BOSTON LOOKS AT SWING MEN-  With the Pacers basically closing the door
on a deal sending Austin Croshere to Boston. The Celtics are now looking at
swing men, that may come for their exception. Pitino has hopes to bring in
Tariq Abdul Wahad (which would be a great fit for Boston). Wahad recently
turned down an offer from the Denver Nuggets for $33 million, and is
expected to talk to a few more teams to make the Nuggets sweat.  Boston has
reached out for Ron Mercer. Its generally felt that the trades involving
Mercer may have tempered his ego a bit, and that a return to Boston might be
best for both parties. Mercer is being courted by the New Jersey Nets who
have offered him one of the medical exceptions they are hoping to land,
Mercer is interested in the Nets offer, but is still exploring options.
Rumor has it he is interested in the Miami Heat, but I am being told that
Ron wants a security contract of at least 3 years, and that may be more time
and cap space than Miami wants to spend. The Celtics had Bimbo Coles in this
week, and rather than the typical workout, he played a round of golf with
Rick Pitino, and afterwards said he was strongly considering Boston, but he
was also considering a return to Atlanta and there is Miami who has
expressed interest too. Coles is asking for a 4 year deal, starting at the
$2.25 million exception, which Boston plans to use on a younger more
explosive player. They would give Coles a 4 year deal, but not at the $2.25
million exception mark.