Jessen Speaks: Battie Trade

[Celtic4Hire@xxxxxxx]

Here is some free agents to be to could be had in a trade for Battie even up 
money-wise or maybe including a Walta. Adding up two 2.5 million dollar 
contracts or 3 way deals obviously would not be worth the time to analyze with too 
many variables. Also, EWill isn't going anywhere so give it up:

EC
C. Ward, Travis Knight, Brevin Knight, Darius Miles, Zelsko Rebraca, John 
Bender, Ron Artest, Reggie Miller, Danny Ferry, Hakeem Olajawon.

WC
Stro Swift, Robert Horry, Ron Mercer, Keon Clark, Avery Johnson, Adonal 
Foyle, Bonzi Wells, Brent Barry.

Analysis:
NY could be an option after the Knicks admit the mistake on Mutumbo which is 
almost complete. A Knick no. 1 pick with Ward or Knight would be sweet.  
Wizards also could make the jump if they keep playing well and want to solidfy a 
playoff run. Forget Miles, Rebraca, Artest and Miller. I don't think Danny would 
trade with Bird so Bender and Ferry is out. Toronto is not likely because 
they need to trade for scoring.

I just don't see a Swift deal happening since we won't resign him or get a 
no. 1 back. Horry won't happen. Wells would happen if we included Kedrick but 
Wells could screw up the chemistry. Barry makes a lot of sense but can't believe 
Seattle would want to take another of our centers and I don't think they 
would give up one of their own picks. Clark won't happen because Utah won't give 
up any of their no. 1s. Battie doesn't seem like the player that would fit on 
the Warriors so forget A Johnson. 

The guy to target to me is Ron Mercer. The Spurs really could use a guy like 
Battie to be a shotblocker/defensive player like Robinson. They really miss 
him and Rasho just doesn't have that kind of game or quickness to mesh as well 
with Duncan that Battie can. We could add Walta who could really reenergize 
their second unit for another run at the finals. The Spurs could give us their 
pick (it has no danger of being in the lottery) and Mercer could add some 
scoring off the bench for us. The Spurs also get a pick from the Suns for Barbosa 
that they may be able to use.

So I think the Spur, Wizards or Knicks are the most likely trading partner in 
a straight up deal. But the Spurs are by far the best match....

DJessen33


> Don't be surprised if the Celtics make at least one trade before the 
> February deadline. Right now the team is sitting on a $59.2 million cap number. 
> That's about $2 million above the projected luxury-tax threshold for next 
> season. The Celtics' new owners don't want to pay the luxury tax and forgo the 
> rebates they'll get from the league. Last season the Celts got $14 million in 
> rebates for staying under. They don't want to miss it again. 
> The primary trade bait will be Tony Battie <
> http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3176> . With the strong play of Mark Blount <
> http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3222> , Baker and Raef LaFrentz <
> http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3246> , Battie is 
> becoming expendable. And, one Celtics source claims rookie Kendrick Perkins <
> http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3730>  has been so good in 
> practice the team is itching to get him off the injured list and give him at 
> least a few minutes every night. 
> If the Celtics can get an expiring contract and a draft pick for Battie, 
> they'll probably pull the trigger.