Re: Mike Fine - Time to move Antoine?

As you've stated, they're in the hunt for a championship not to get younger. Why did they make the Indiana trade? Obviously they lose that deal when it is evaluated in terms of pure talent/athleticism. But not only did Portland get a mature veteran in Davis, they also remove a locker-room problem in O'Neal. O'Neal was a problem not because he lacked talent, but because there was no PT for him. So Portland was not only interested in a veteran big man but also in resolving a key problem - chemistry - for any potential contender (see Kobe/Shaq). This was the same rationale in the Rider deal.

Unfortunately for Portland, Davis has also complained about playing time - so perhaps the problem caused by a logjam at PF/C hasn't been solved by the subtraction of O'Neal. Add to that the emergence of Bonzi Wells and recent demotion of Steve Smith to the second team and you can see why chemistry issues may lead to a desire to move some of the older (and still effective) players given the presence of other even more effective players at the same positions. Walker would add versatility at SF/PF and I'm sure many GM's would view him as a risk worthy of chancing IF you have some veterans to keep him in line. How about a big line-up of Pippen, Wells, Walker, Wallace and Sabonis/Kemp? So Portland would still position themselves for today but with a better distribution of minutes and hence better chemistry as well as positioning themselves for a future without Pippen, Sabonis, Kemp etc. Not that this is a knock-down argument, but still an argument could merit some thought from Portland's perspective - certainly more than the offer of three draft picks.

3) position themselves in order to deal from strength on the trade market, since they will have quality players (Smith, Davis) who would be desirable to other teams trying to improve their playoff chances (not necessarily this year). It is *these* type of trades that could net the type of future talent that may enable us to compete for more than a mere playoff position.

Even if the players are not ultimately dealt they may serve a key role in introducing/molding the younger Celts (Pierce/draftees). Smith/Davis thereby accelerate the maturation process for Pierce/Moiso/draftees and hasten the return to respectability of the C's as a franchise.

None of these results are necessarily a given, yet I do believe that these options are predicated with more forethought than any of the Pitino era trades since they presuppose a rebuilding program rather than instant results (i.e. a playoff appearance).

Cheers - TomM