Re: Celtics Trading For Pippen?

["Thomas Murphy" <tfmiii@worldnet.att.net>]

> Two years of Pippen over two years of Anderson and Eric Williams? In my
> view both Kenny and Pippen are equally washed up. And they clear the cap
at
> the same time to boot.

Good point Joe, really we only dump Eric Williams' contract (ironically the
original price
for obtaining the 11th pick) and only one year early at that (it expires in
'04). According to the logic of the rumor that additional 5.5 mil could be
the difference between a top-flight FA or not.

However, I imagine that the Celts management views Pippen as a positive in
contrast to Kenny who they view as a negative (I'd say the same for Eric).
No matter what you think of Pip he's a better player washed up than the two
traded for him combined. Pippen defense at SF/SG (remember he can
occasionally guard PGs too) could help recommit the Cs to aggressive
defense. Add to that opportunistic offense, ballhandling and directing the
offense, and an added a dose of 'professionalism'/playoff experience (this
is my reading of the Wallace/O'B spin - personally I think Pippen is a grade
A jerk) -  and all the while Gasol/Radman/Murphy and Parker/Cook/whoever
develop. At least that's how I imagine Wallace/O'B would like things to work
out. I guess most people would rather have watched a washed up Pippen than
Eric W playing for us in the 4th quarter last season. (Come to think of it,
it almost seems as if they tried to make Eric over into a Pip type player -
defensive specialist, 3-pters exclusively etc).

Also, Duncan CAN exercise a player option to become a free agent after '03
(his contract expires in '04 if he does not exercise the option). IIRC
Duncan deliberately signed an abbreviated contract in order to give himself
more flexibility (after DRob retires?) and to take advantage of the higher
rates one can sign for after X number of years in the league. So the "Duncan
in '03" aspect of this rumor is plausible since it is highly likely he WILL
opt out of his contract then (if only to re-sign with SA for more $$$).
Whether he'd want to sign in Boston is another question, but if Boston has
made the playoffs the last two years and shows signs of being the up and
coming team with Pierce, Walker, Gasol/Radman/Murphy and mystery PG - who's
to say?

As for the details of the rumor - wouldn't we get the 19th pick as well?
Then we could take Parker at 19 and another player at 21? (who'd be
available? Trepagnier? Forte? Woods? Hunter? Arenas? - all question marks).
Maybe that's asking for too much?

I don't know if I like it, but at least this sounds more like there is a
plan involved and not just short term $$$$

Throw this whole plan out however on the slim chance that Battier (or even
Griffin) slides to 10.

PS - the trade is kosher according to realgm:
---------
Portland trades:  Scottie Pippen $13,151,683 to Boston
TOTAL:   $13,151,683

Boston trades:  Eric Williams $3,892,000 to Portland
Boston trades:  Kenny Anderson $7,515,000 to Portland
TOTAL:   $11,407,000

TRADE ACCEPTED

Due to Portland and Boston being over the cap, the 15% trade rule is
invoked. Portland and Boston had to be no more than 115% plus $100,000 of
the salary given out for the trade to be accepted, which did happen here.
This trade satisfies the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement
--------

> Hi Ray:
>
> Two years of Pippen over two years of Anderson and Eric Williams? In my
> view both Kenny and Pippen are equally washed up. And they clear the cap
at
> the same time to boot.
>
> The deal also costs Boston the #11 pick in return for nothing to build our
> future on....except 3 million cash from Paul Allen no doubt. ;-)
>
> I'm not buying it. The cap math cited looks very fuzzy on the face of it.
> Don't see how it makes one shred of difference as far as clearing space
for
> the 2003 FA class.
>
> On top of that, since when is Tim Duncan a free agent every two years? Did
> he re-sign for the veteran's exemption last summer or something? I'm sure
I
> missed something.
>
> My conclusion is that we should follow Alex Wang's advice and never trust
> any Celts trade rumour that doesn't explicitly mention the phrase "3
> million dollars"! ;-)
>
> ***
>
> ------------------------------
> > From: Way Of The Ray <wayray@ix.netcom.com>
> > Organization: Way Of The Ray
> > Newsgroups: alt.sports.basketball.nba.boston-celtics
> > Date: Tue, 26 Jun 2001 13:13:34 -0400
> > To: celtics@igtc.com
> > Subject: Celtics Trading For Pippen?
> >
> >> This comes from the ESPN Message Board, so who knows?
> >> But interesting stuff....
> >>
> >> Boston / Portland Details
> >> Posted by: metalorusa42  9:20PM PDT, Jun 25, 2001
> >>
> >> Talked to NBA draft analyst Chris Monter( he was
> >> on ESPN "up close" this weekend ) about the
> >> Portland / Boston trade. He feels strongly that
> >> B. Wells is not part of this trade and that
> >> Kenny Anderson is included. You may hate this
> >> but here goes: Celts could be looking to package
> >> Anderson, EWill, and K.Brown for Pippen. The
> >> trade works under the cap. Portland gets a
> >> young stud to fill in at the 3 for a very washed
> >> up Pippen. What does Boston get? Cap room. The
> >> C's are shooting for free agency in 2 years when
> >> only Pierce, Walker, Battie, V, and Ewill are
> >> under contract. Pippen has 2 years left at $13
> >> mil per but will be off the cap in 2 years. So
> >> by making this trade the C's clear another $5 mil
> >> for their F/A signing period in 2 years. V,Battie,
> >> Pierce, Walker and (Gasol?) would only be making
> >> about 35 to 36 mil total. The cap should be about
> >> $50 mil in 2 years. The C's would then target
> >> Duncan (who will be a free agent) with the max
> >> offer and hope that Pierce,Walker,Gasol,Duncan
> >> core can bring home a ring .(even if you miss on
> >> duncan you'll be one of only a couple teams that
> >> can offer the max for any other blue chip starter.