Oh Christ, The Deal's Happening And Forte's Gone

[Way Of The Ray <wayray@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Celtics and Sonics set to close the deal


By Shira Springer, Globe Staff, 7/22/2002

he Celtics are expected to complete a trade with the Sonics as early as
today, according to sources close to the situation. The deal would send
Kenny Anderson, Vitaly Potapenko, and Joseph Forte to Seattle for Vin
Baker and Shammond Williams.



If several details get squared away, contracts are reviewed to
satisfaction, and the trade meets league approval, Boston likely would
announce the move at a press conference tomorrow. General manager Chris
Wallace canceled a scouting trip to Lithuania, which would have started
this Friday, because ''too much is going on.''

Sources said there are a few sticking points to be considered before the
trade is officially completed, but no deal-breakers. The Celtics are
reviewing all aspects of the trade, from a basketball standpoint to a
financial one, and are considering team chemistry, as well. Boston is
taking a long look at Baker's contract and the many clauses it contains.
The Knicks also have expressed interest in dealing for Baker, but they
don't have as many favorable contracts to offer as the Celtics.

If the trade is made, the Celtics roster for the 2002-03 season will be
dramatically different than the squad that advanced to the Eastern
Conference final in May. While Seattle would free itself from the four
years and $50 million plus on Baker's contract, the Celtics would
acquire a 30-year-old nine-year veteran and a third ''maximum'' contract
(Baker), and a 27-year-old guard with three years of NBA experience
(Williams).

With the departure of veteran point guard Anderson, backup center
Potapenko, and combination guard Forte, Boston would lose two familiar
faces and a player fans never really got to know.

The Celtics' starting point guard job would be up for grabs, while the
frontcourt would be restocked without Rodney Rogers.

The deal apparently would signal the end of the pursuit of free agent
Rogers, with Baker slated to fill essentially the same role. The Celtics
apparently believed they had to make a big move to fill the void that
would be left by Rogers, the power forward acquired in February from
Phoenix.

Last season, Baker played in 55 games and started 41 at power forward,
where he averaged 14.1 points per game and 6.4 rebounds and shot 48.5
percent from floor. But those numbers represent a marked decline from
the days when he was an All-Star in Milwaukee and averaged a
double-double in points and rebounds for three consecutive seasons.

He was also an All-Star during his first year with Seattle, when he
averaged 19.2 points and 8.0 rebounds.

At 6 feet 11 inches, Baker certainly could play center in the
pivot-challenged Eastern Conference, where he would join Celtics Tony
Battie and newly signed Bruno Sundov.

The Celtics' hope would be that a return to the East, and playing for a
team close to home, would rejuvenate Baker's career. Baker, who grew up
in Old Saybrook, Conn., and starred at the University of Hartford,
always has wanted to play for a team closer to his New England roots. A
change of venue to more familiar surroundings may be just what he needs
to get his career back on its All-Star path.

Williams has played backup point guard for Seattle, and was an offensive
threat in limited minutes. He is very quick with the ball.

Last season, Williams played in 50 games and started two, averaging 12.1
minutes. He recorded 4.4 points, 1.7 assists, and 1.2 rebounds per game.
He has shot almost 40 percent from 3-point range during his brief
career.

While the Celtics made it to the Eastern Conference final without
Potapenko, who suffered a partially torn left ACL in the last
regular-season game, Anderson was an integral part of the playoff run.

The veteran understood and accepted his role as the player expected to
get the ball to cocaptains and leading scorers Antoine Walker and Paul
Pierce.

He made smart decisions that allowed the offense to flow relatively
smoothly. It was a particularly satisfying season for Anderson, who had
suffered through an unproductive, injury-riddled season in 2000-01. In
late March, when Anderson was sidelined by a sprained left ankle, the
offense struggled as Tony Delk, then Erick Strickland, took over point
guard duties. But with one year left on his contract (albeit at $9.185
million), Anderson is a very attractive component in a deal.

The Celtics would feel the loss of Anderson more than that of Potapenko,
who averaged 4.6 points and 4.4 rebounds. As for Forte, he could have
better luck finding minutes with Seattle.

The Boston team that takes the FleetCenter floor for the season opener
Oct. 30 against Chicago could sport a new look, with new names and faces
trying to replicate the success of last season, a difficult task.

Dion Glover of Atlanta was named the most outstanding player of the
Shaw's Pro Summer League after leading the Hawks to a 6-0 record. Glover
averaged 17.8 points. Atlanta beat the Celtics, 85-68, yesterday at
UMass-Boston to end the weeklong event. Forte and Kedrick Brown of the
Celtics were first-team selections to the all-league team. The Celtics
finished with a 5-1 record.

This story ran on page D1 of the Boston Globe on 7/22/2002.
) Copyright 2002 Globe Newspaper Company.