Re: Chad Ford Talks Battie Trade

["Berry, Mark S" <berrym@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

OK, I'll play along...

How about Eric Williams and Tony Battie to Houston for Kelvin Cato and Eddie
Griffin? Here's my thinking... Cato has a lousy contract, but it only runs
two more seasons-still fitting in that 2006 window the Celts seem to be
aiming for (of course, that's a moving target... ). The key would be
Griffin. He's a major talent with real attitude questions. We've been
discussing Rasheed Wallace... well, Griffin is a young Rasheed-both in terms
of talent and insanity potential. BUT... Griffin is young and cheap. If you
get him now and get his head on straight, you have a real find. His value is
low because of his behavior in Houston, and that's the only reason you'd
even discuss this trade happening. If he doesn't get his head on straight,
he's easy enough to dump later. Plus, he seems like a great fit. He can be a
mobile, shot-blocking power forward or a long, post-up small forward. The
Celts really don't have a player anything like him.

As for the other suggestions... Michael Bradley and Mo Pete don't do much
for me. Bradley wasn't bad on the boards last season, but I'm not sure he'll
ever be much more than a serviceable backup. And Mo Pete just doesn't bring
much. He's not a good ball-handler or passer. He can finish on the break or
hit an OK percentage of his standstill jump shots. He's not what you want in
a shooting guard. Would these guys help the bench? Yes. Would they help much
more than EWill and Battie? That's debatable at best. Is there any upside?
Not that I can see.

Rasheed Wallace... Great talent, and for what you're suggesting the Celts
would give up, I'd probably take the chance. There would be takers if it
didn't work out. It's a huge risk. I don't know. He's best suited on a team
with a Pierce-like player, because Rasheed doesn't want to be "The Man."
Wow, I really waffle on this one. I'm just not sure.

Chad Ford also threw out Toni Kukoc. If you're just looking for someone to
help this season and then clear the cap room, Kukoc would be fine. But
that's not what the Celtics are thinking, is it? It seems Ainge has a master
plan in mind, and using these chips for a stop-gap player just doesn't seem
like his MO. I do think, however, that Kukoc would be a beautiful fit on
this season's team. 

Here's one Ford didn't mention, but it might make some sense... Either
Marcus Fizer or Donyell Marshall for Tony Battie. The numbers would work
with a little tweaking. Both guys are available. The Bulls don't really have
a backup center. Ainge was close to getting one or both of them in the
earlier proposed Antoine trade. Just throwing it out there.

Mark