BSG Thinks A Walker/Van Horn Deal Could Be Plausible If New Jersey & Orlando Trade

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

Before we get to the Links, please note that the Orlando Sentinel is
reporting that the Magic are still trying to swing a deal with the Nets
for the #1 pick so they can take Kenyon Martin; they're offering the #5
+ #10 picks and may even expand the deal to include Corey Maggette
and/or Mike Doleac. Why is this relevant? Because this would definitely
be the first step to making my Van Horn-Walker trade happen.

If you remember, the deal I "came up with" was a two-parter where the
Celts would trade Greg Minor, Dana Barros and the #11 to New Jersey for
Kendall Gill, Johnny Newman and the #5 pick... after July 1st, the Celts
would renounce the rights to Gill and Newman, then trade Antoine and
Eric Williams to the Nets for Keith Van Horn, Jim McIllvane and Elliott
Perry.

Looking back, I'd probably modify that one and have the Celts keep the
#11 and get the #10 pick from New Jersey, giving them consecutive picks
(#10 and #11). Then they could grab a point guard AND gamble on the
Greek Guy. 

To recap: The Nets end up with the #5 pick, Walker, Maggette, Doleac and
cap filler. The Magic end up with Martin. The Celts end up with Van
Horn, the #10 and #11 picks, McIllvane and Perry. 

You could also see the Nets unload a salary on the Magic ($18 million
under the cap) in the Martin trade -- like McIllvane -- instead of
getting Maggette and/or Doleac. That would enable them to deal Walker
for Van Horn (with a swap of the #5 and #11 picks) without the two teams
having to throw in six other players to make it work under the cap.
Orlando would probably agree because they would still have enough money
left to make a run at one of the big free agents (Duncan, McGrady or
Hill) and a second-tier free agent like Ron Mercer.

To recap: The Nets end up with Walker and the #10 & #11 pick; the Magic
end up with Martin and McIllvane; the Celts end up with Van Horn and the
#5 pick (they would probably take one of the centers). The Walker-VH
part couldn't be finalized until after July 1st -- Van Horn's would
count as $9 million under Boston's cap, which would fit in Walker's $7.7
slot because the Celts will be a little bit under the cap after Pervis
and Dino get wiped off.

Not only does it work, I think it makes sense and I think all three
teams would make this deal and I think I'm a freaking genius.