Potential Vitaly trade? (long)

[Rohan Prashad <rprasha@clemson.edu>]

I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned this yet...but in today's edition of 
the rumor mill at Bskball.com, Bskball reports that the Celtics pursuit of 
Tariq abdul-Wahad may not be finished yet. The Nuggets are interested in 
unloading Wahad after he is eligible on Dec. 16. They feel he is not the 
answer at their 2 guard position. Bskball suggests that the Celtics may be 
the possible destination for Wahad, and a deal might already be completed 
or in the works.

He claims the Nugs would unload Wahad and PF Keon Clark for a serious front 
court prospect... and he mentions Vitaly Potapenko? I think this is 
definitely a potential deal, and would explain a lot.

1)The Celtics and Nuggets had extensive discussions trying to move Wahad 
through a 3 team deal earlier this summer. They talked around the clock for 
a couple of weeks before abruptly calling off discussions. It is possible 
they could not broker a 3 team deal, so the Nugs decided to resign Wahad 
and make a secret agreement with the Celtics to trade Wahad at a future date.

2) Bskball.com suggests that the Herren/Sith for Pack/Cheaney deal might be 
pre-payment for the Vitaly/Wahad deal already consummated under the table.

3) Pitino has been talking up Blount, trying to convince the press, fans, 
....someone that this kid is a viable center prospect. Then he points out 
that Vitaly is kicking his butt everyday in practice? Sounds hypocricital 
like Rick was trying to build up Blount, then remembered that he didn't 
want to knock down Vitaly's value for trade.

Wahad would fill the current hole we have at the 2-guard position. He is 
big, athletic, physical, and a hard-nosed defender. He could shut down guys 
like Ray Allen, Chris Carrawell, and Derek Anderson would have hurt us in 
the preseason so far. He does not shoot the ball well, but would be an 
asset in transition offense. He was also a member of that overachieving 
Magic team of a year ago winning with hustle, effort, and defense. He could 
step into the starting lineup, moving Paul to the 3. Paul has an easier 
time defending small forwards, where he can roam for steals and rebounds.

Of course, this would open up a big hole at the center position. I don't 
think anyone believes Mark Blount is a starting center in this league, or 
will ever be a starting center in this league. With Blount and the skinny 
trio of Battie, Moiso and Clark, we would be regressing towards the Banana 
Boy era. Vitaly may have stone hands and doesn't fit into the press, but he 
is our only physical frontcourt defender. He provides the team with 
toughness and an enforcer, and is our only decent post defender.

So if this trade hasn't been completed secretly yet, the question the 
Celtics have to answer is which position is more important to our team? 
With the center position at an all time low in the Eastern Conference and 
Pitino implementing the press again, this maybe the time to pull off this 
deal. There also is a possibility of four center prospects in this year's 
lottery (Loren Woods, Brenden Haywood, and high schoolers Eddy Curry and 
Tyson Chandler) that could ease the loss of Potapenko.

Personally, I'd do the trade and kiss Vitaly and his stone hands goodbye!