Pitino Basically Says No Boston/Denver/LA Deal

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

Jersey Red loses out to BSG on this one...

Walker-Croshere deal not close
by Steve Bulpett and Mark Cofman
Wednesday, July 26, 2000


The Celtics and Indiana Pacers have had some preliminary discussions on
a trade that would involve Antoine Walker and Austin Croshere, but
sources indicated last night that nothing is close at this point.

The deal, as constituted, would send Walker and Dana Barros to Indiana
for Croshere, Travis Best and Chris Mullin. It was confirmed to the
Herald that those names were raised, but a source said it seemed the
Celtics weren't all that enthusiastic about such a deal.

According to one source, if the Celts made that a hard and fast offer,
the Pacers would jump on it. While Croshere did have a strong NBA Finals
against the Lakers, he was still mainly a role player for Indiana. On
the other hand, the Pacers believe that Walker is a monster talent
awaiting a bit of wisdom before he becomes a major and consistent force.

Croshere, who starred collegiately at Providence, received a
recruiting-like visit from Celtics coach Rick Pitino at his home in
Santa Monica, Calif., earlier this month. But Croshere is coveted by at
least six teams, and he recently met with officials from the Toronto
Raptors, who presented him with an offer.

Meanwhile, Croshere will meet with newly appointed Pacers head coach
Isiah Thomas today. Thomas replaced Larry Bird last week.

Pacers president Donnie Walsh reiterated that he is trying to keep
Croshere, but someone close to the situation said that Indiana has
talked to the Celts about Walker on several occasions over the past few
years. It was thought that Bird was the one who coveted the Celtics
captain, but word is Walsh is also a fan and that Thomas - like Walker,
a Chicago native - believes he could be the one to extract Walker's
potential.

Meanwhile, Pitino was in San Jose last night, where one night earlier he
met with free agent guard Tariq Abdul-Wahad, who the Celtics have
recently been courting.

While the two seemed to hit it off, Pitino was less than enthusiastic
about whether the 6-foot-6 defensive standout would ever become a
Celtic.

``It was a great meeting. He's a great young man,'' said Pitino. ``I
think he would love to be a Celtic but the chances of it happening are
remote.

``It would have to be a three-team deal and I think there's too much
involved.''

If the Celtics are going to land Abdul-Wahad, it would have to be
through a sign-and-trade. A three-way deal among the Celtics, Denver and
the Los Angeles Clippers has been discussed, with Abdul-Wahad and Fall
River native Chris Herren coming to Boston, Barros and (Denver forward)
Keon Clark going to LA, and Clippers' free-agent guard Derek Anderson
landing in Denver. The Nuggets would also be getting back the
first-round pick that they gave the Celtics in last summer's Danny
Fortson-Ron Mercer trade.

If something along those lines were to take place, Abdul-Wahad would be
pleased. He came away from his meeting with Pitino putting the Celtics
squarely at the top of his wish list.

``If it happens, honestly, I'm going to be happy,'' Abdul-Wahad said
last night. ``I'm not going to complain. It's the Boston Celtics.

``They really like me. They like my game. I like their coach. I'm not
difficult. How can you be difficult if the Boston Celtics want you to
play for their team. It's like the Yankees. Ultimately, it's going to
turn (around) for Boston.''

Abdul-Wahad has a number of teams interested in his services, among them
Minnesota, Utah, New Jersey, Miami and Toronto. But a source in Denver
said he was inclined to hold off on visits with those teams until the
Celtics could attempt to work out a deal.

The source also said a scheduled meeting tomorrow between Abdul-Wahad
and Nuggets coach/general manager Dan Issel might be canceled by the
player, pending the Celtics' success in closing a deal.

His agent, Paco Belassen, said Abdul-Wahad is ready to play for the
Celtics.

``The message really went through,'' Belassen said of Adbul-Wahad's
meeting with Pitino. ``(Pitino) talked about how highly he regards the
player - his unlimited potential, and defensive prowess. Everything was
very sweet from him to make Tariq his top priority.''

``Maybe the best thing that can happen to Tariq is Rick Pitino. I think
he can make him a better player.''