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Raptors willing to listen
Celtics covet Christie, offering their 11th pick
By BILL HARRIS and CRAIG DANIELS -- Toronto
Sun The Raptors may not limit themselves to looking
out for No. 21.
The team is scheduled to pick 21st in the first
round of the NBA draft tonight, but the rumour mill was on full hum yesterday,
with various scenarios suggesting the Raptors are considering opportunities to
trade up.
Sources indicated the Boston Celtics might be dangling
their first-round pick -- 11th overall -- plus either Walter McCarty or Calbert
Cheaney for a package that would include veteran Raptors guard Doug Christie.
If the Raptors acquired the No. 11 pick, they might be in position
to nab one of the higher-ranked point guards in the draft, such as Jamal
Crawford of Michigan or Mateen Cleaves of Michigan State.
However,
Raptors general manager Glen Grunwald yesterday played down the possibility of
his team completing any draft-day deals.
"I think that's still
accurate," Grunwald said when asked if he was standing by his earlier statement
that trading up is a "low-percentage possibility."
If the Raptors
stick at No. 21, the names being mentioned most are Erick Barkley of St. John's
and Keyon Dooling of Missouri, both point guards. There is a decent chance one
of those two will be available at 21.
If all the quality point
guards are gone at 21, the Raptors might take a hard look at Toronto native
Jamaal Magloire, a centre from the University of Kentucky.
Numerous other deals potentially involving the Raptors -- and not
necessarily related to the draft -- were making the rounds yesterday.
Reports from the Charlotte area suggested the Hornets have called
the Raptors about reacquiring Dell Curry. The veteran shooting guard still lives
in the Charlotte area and remains one of the most popular players in Hornets
history.
Sources confirmed the Hornets did contact the Raptors,
but the names being bandied about did not grab the Raptors' attention and no
concrete offer materialized.
"I like the city of Toronto and I
like the Raptors team," Curry said yesterday, between shots on a Charlotte-area
golf course. "As far as trades go, I don't control that. Right now I'm just
trying to relax, play some golf and enjoy my family."
If Curry
remains a Raptor, chances are his role might increase next season, given the
near-certainty that fellow three-point threat Dee Brown won't be back.
"I've talked to Lenny (Wilkens, new Raptors coach)," Curry said.
"Put it this way, I certainly don't see my role diminishing.
"Trades always are a possibility, but the way I see it, I'm in a
win-win situation. It's not something to worry about. My first eight years in
Charlotte, my name was involved in trade rumours every year. What it means to me
is I know I'll be employed next year -- that's the way I look at it."
Other trade whispers: Charlotte is rumoured to have offered guard
David Wesley for Christie; and rumours have surfaced again about the Raptors
sending Michael (Yogi) Stewart to Minnesota for a package that would include
guard Bobby Jackson, a free agent who would have to be signed before being
traded.
The Raptors also have a second-round pick in the draft,
46th overall. The draft is being held in Minneapolis, but the Raptors' war room
will be at the Air Canada Centre.
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