Latest Celtic Rumors From BskBall...

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

http://www.bskball.com/Rumors.html

06/12-C's DENY DEAL- Several New York media outlets were carrying a
rumor 
that the New Jersey Nets and Celtics 
were discussing an Antoine Walker/Keith Van Horn swap. Rick Pitino
briefly 
addressed and denied that there was such a deal in the works, sighting 
that he would not discuss "total fabrications", there are cap
restrictions 
and according to the Nets , limited interest in parting with Van Horn,
make 
the idea 
unreasonable. The Celtics have been talking with Portland about
acquiring 
Jermaine O'Neal for their draft pick, but it looks as though Chicago has 
first dibs on the player for their # 7 over all pick. The Celtics were
the 
prime team scouting Greek sensation Iakovos Tskaldis (AKA- Big Jake),
the 
story on him is, his Greek team does not want to lose him, however his 
agents are telling NBA GM's that his deal with AKA Athens is no big deal 
and he can get out of it if drafted. Several GM's have said they were
told 
differing things by the center agents, and that they feel there may be 
something more to all this than being said. The NBA allows teams to 
negotiate buyouts of players from other leagues, even if over the cap, 
but that amount is limited to $350,000, and its unclear what exactly it 
will cost to get him released from the deal. The Celtics have not
limited 
themselves to just Big Jake, they also have eyes for the Nigerian
Olumide 
Oyedeji, a 6'10 center that exploded on to the NBA scene from the Nike 
Invitational. The Dallas Mavericks are very interested in him, and
typical 
to Pitino form, he may be trying and steal a Nelson player again (Pitino 
made offers to move up to grab Dirk Nowitski). Also on the list of
possibles 
at the Celtics this week are Hidayet Turkoglou, a 6-8 swingman from
Turkey 
(he does have a long term deal in Turkey that would require a buyout).
The 
C's have explored introductory discussions about moving Tony Battie and 
their pick for the right package (they have placed alot of value on
Tony), 
and there has been virtually no word on the fate of Kenny Anderson.... 
So there you go. The latest from Boston.