Rocky Mountain News Trade Article

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

Nuggets talking of trading trio
Abdul-Wahad, Herren would go to Celtics; Clark to L.A. Clippers

By Michael BeDan
Denver Rocky Mountain News Staff Writer

http://insidedenver.com/nuggets/0724nugs1.shtml

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SALT LAKE CITY — The Denver Nuggets are discussing a three-way trade
with Boston and the Los Angeles Clippers that would send Nuggets guards
Tariq Abdul-Wahad and Chris Herren to the Celtics, Nuggets forward Keon
Clark to the Clippers and Clippers guard Derek Anderson to the Nuggets.

The Clippers would also get Celtics guard Dana Barros. There are draft
picks involved, but it wasn't immediately clear who would get what. The
Celtics own Denver's first-round pick next year as a result of the trade
that brought Ron Mercer to Denver in August. Denver traded Mercer to
Orlando in February, a deal that brought Abdul-Wahad to the Nuggets.

Three NBA sources confirmed the trade talks Sunday night.

Celtics coach Rick Pitino told The Boston Globe the team is exploring
many options, but he confirmed strong interest in Abdul-Wahad.

"I am going to meet with Abdul-Wahad (today) in San Jose, (Calif.),"
Pitino said.

Nuggets reserve point guard Herren said the team told him Sunday
afternoon a potential deal was in the works.

"I was told there was something going on," Herren said Sunday night,
hours after a Nuggets team of free agents, rookies and young veterans
competed in a summer league game here. "I asked about it, and I was told
the truth — that there is something going on."

Abdul-Wahad and Anderson are both free agents, and both would have to
agree to terms before the trade could be completed. Paco Belassen,
Abdul-Wahad's agent, said Boston is interested in his client, but had no
further comment. Anderson has not visited Denver. He has visited San
Antonio and indicated last week that he is leaning toward signing with
the Spurs.

Belassen confirmed Sunday that Abdul-Wahad would return to the United
States today. Abdul-Wahad has been vacationing in his native France.

Nuggets coach and president Dan Issel, reached by phone Sunday night,
refused to comment.

If the Nuggets trade Herren, they would be left with two point guards
under contract for next season — starter Nick Van Exel and veteran
reserve Cory Alexander.

The team has tried unsuccessfully to trade Alexander, and with new team
owner Stan Kroenke declaring his plans to run a "fiscally responsible"
organization, eating Alexander's large guaranteed contract seems
unlikely.

If the Nuggets move Herren and don't replace him, it would signal an
instruction to Issel that he has to use Alexander, whom Issel refused to
use last season. Even when Herren was on the injured list, Issel opted
to use swingman George McCloud and then-rookie forward/shooting guard
James Posey at the point rather than Alexander.

Herren was born in Fall River, Mass., and grew up rooting for the
Celtics, but he said he has mixed feelings.

"It would be very good to go to Boston and play back home," he said.
"But I also love playing in Denver. I spent a very good year of time
there last year with my teammates and the rest of the people and staff.
You get comfortable somewhere, and that's when you realize it becomes a
business and you could be moved.

"It was a little surprising, obviously, but you learn more the longer
you're around."

Free agents cannot sign contracts until Aug. 1.