Chad Ford Talks Battie Trade

[wayray@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Part of today's Insider on which players are still tradeable:

Tony Battie and Eric Williams, CelticsWith Raef LaFrentz in the fold and Vin Baker looking decent, the Celtics have a decision to make. They could try to move Battie and get some extra cap relief in return. Or, Danny Ainge could try to hit a home run and package Battie with Williams (whose contract comes off the books next summer) and get another solid player in return. It all depends on what the Celtics philosophy is going to be. If it's just to cut costs, then moving Battie and Williams for someone like Tom Gugliotta or Toni Kukoc would give them an additional $10 million in cap room over the next two years. If they want to win, then prying away young players like Mo Peterson and Michael Bradley from Toronto could be a real possibility. 

(Ray's comments: Rasheed Wallace - that's who I would go after.  And why Rasheed you ask: Last year of his contract, terrific low post defender and scorer; would improve the team
this season and future seasons; or you could let him walk and have a sizeable
cap cleavage. And why would the Blazers deal him?  Good question. New GM
trying to restructure the team, create playing time for Seal of Approval player Randolph,
and Wallace like Walker, bit of a loose cannon, so to say. And do the Celtics have
the goods to get him?  Another good question. Perhaps, because like Walker
he can depart the Blazers with no compensation realized. And the Blazers do need a
center, which the Celtics are currently overstocked.  )