Pitino says deal is dead

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

Clippers won't send Anderson to Denver
3-way deal that looked set falls apart when L.A. balks

By Michael Bedan
Denver Rocky Mountain News Staff Writer


----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----







SALT LAKE CITY - The deal is dead.

Boston Celtics coach Rick Pitino told the Denver Rocky Mountain News on
Wednesday night that a three-team trade involving the Denver Nuggets, Los
Angeles Clippers and the Celtics fell apart Wednesday when the Clippers
pulled out of the deal.

The principles involved were Nuggets free agent Tariq Abdul-Wahad, who would
have gone to Boston, and Clippers free agent Derek Anderson, who would have
come to Denver.

"It is put to rest, I think" Pitino said. "The Clippers said they wouldn't
do the deal. They said they have too many roster spots right now."

The Clippers did not return calls Wednesday from the News.

Pitino's interest in Abdul-Wahad has not cooled, nor has Denver's interest
in Anderson. Barring a change of heart in Los Angeles - and there are still
five shopping days left - the Nuggets and Celtics will have to explore
different avenues to land those players.

The deal also would have sent Nuggets reserve point guard Chris Herren to
the Celtics, and Nuggets forward Keon Clark and Celtics guard Dana Barros to
the Clippers.

Pitino said the Celtics will continue to pursue Abdul-Wahad.

"We are going to try to - obviously through different means - to sign him,"
Pitino said.

Pitino all but ruled out reviving the failed trade.

"When you deal with the Clippers - right now it's probably a safe bet to go
another direction," he said.

Paco Belassen, Abdul-Wahad's agent, said his client is interested in the
Celtics, but not for the $2.25 million mid-level exception Boston is limited
to offering if a sign-and-trade deal is not completed.

The Nuggets are in the same situation: They have only $2.25 million
available for Anderson without a trade. Anderson has indicated he will sign
with San Antonio for $2.25 million if the Clippers do not agree to a
sign-and-trade that would pay him more.

Three NBA sources said earlier in the week that the three-way deal was near
completion.

But in the end the Clippers weren't willing to add Clark and Barros to the
12 guaranteed contracts they already are obligated to pay next season.

"Denver and Boston were ready to do the deal, and it all hinged on the
Clippers, and they wouldn't do it," Pitino said. "I don't think they realize
how good it is for them."

Nuggets coach and president Dan Issel, reached by phone Wednesday night,
would not comment.

Neither Anderson nor his agent, Tony Dutt, returned phone calls Wednesday
night.