re: Interesting Insider article on the expansion draft

[Mark Piotrowski <markp@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> I found this interesting. It lays out some scenarios surrounding next
> summer's expansion draft. It's long, but worth the read. While we're 
> on the
> subject, has anyone else tried to look at who the Celts might protect? 
> They
> get to protect eight players. It's not as easy to choose those players 
> as
> you'd think. Anyway, kind of a fun exercise.
>
> Mark

Actually Mark the answer is "Yes", someone has tried to look at who the 
Celts might protect....

http://www.igtc.com/archives/celtics/2003/Jul/msg00539.html

However that was before the Walker trade and I was only brave enough to 
suggest 5 protected players.  Here's my current (not thought out) 
thinking though:

If you can't protect the rights to FA's (i.e. Williams) then i'd 
suggest:

Pierce - a lock
LaFrentz - i don't think Ainge takes the gamble Charlotte takes him 
even with his salary
Perkins - a lock
Banks - I doubt ainge fools around here either
Battie - OK, this is where it gets more difficult, but I don't agree 
with some that he and Blount are interchangeable.  Battie is the better 
player by far, and IMO the perfect backup combo 4/5
Jones -
James - will be nice when banks is starting and James the vet off the 
bench
Welsch - uuuuppside
Hunter

this would leave 4 players unprotected

K. Brown
Baker
Blount
McCarty

Of which I imagine Charlotte would choose Blount (after which we can 
pull back a player (probably McCarty unless Kedrick gets his ass in 
gear) -- unless Ainge can work up something to entice Charlotte into 
taking Baker then waiving him so we can sign him at a lower rate.  This 
would only save cap room though, not money since I assume being a 
shrewd businessman Johnson/Bickerstaff would only take on Baker's 
waived salary if we pick up most/all of it + picks.  With only 2 more 
years and Baker recussitated, its not worth the picks to me.

(the other) Mark