Could The Celtics Get Van Exel? Perhaps Mr. Jessen

[Way Of The Ray <wayray@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The mercurial Mr. Jessen inquires as to whether the Celtics could
obtain Nick Van Exel.

I think they could actually.

But it's not likely to happen, because of Van Exel's salary.

The Celtics would have to do a package of  Banks, Delk, Williams,
and Brown to cover Van Exel's salary. And that's likely too much to
give up, more in terms of depth than talent.

Now, if you could substitute Walker for those four players, it be a
snap.
But what would you do with both Banks and Van Exel?

Hmm, perhaps Walker, Battie, and Banks for Van Exel, Murphy, and
Dampier? That works, though any deal involving Banks can't be completed
until December.

Or how about this massive deal:

Boston trades:  SG Kedrick Brown (2.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 0.4 apg in 13.1
minutes)
  PF Antoine Walker (20.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 4.8 apg in 41.5 minutes)
  SF Eric Williams (9.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.7 apg in 28.7 minutes)
  C Tony Battie (7.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 0.7 apg in 25.1 minutes)
  PG Marcus Banks (7.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 0.7 apg in 25.1 minutes)
Boston receives:  PG Nick Van Exel (12.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 4.3 apg in 27.8
minutes)
  C Erick Dampier (8.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 0.7 apg in 24.1 minutes)
  SG Jason Richardson (15.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.0 apg in 32.9 minutes)

A Van Exel - Richardson backcourt would be pretty damn good.
Dampier is an improvement at center; better hope Baker or Jumaine
Jones are ready to step up.

Or this one:

Boston trades:  Marcus Banks ( ppg, rpg, apg in minutes)
  PF Antoine Walker (20.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 4.8 apg in 41.5 minutes)
  SG Kedrick Brown (2.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 0.4 apg in 13.1 minutes)
  C Tony Battie (7.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 0.7 apg in 25.1 minutes)
  SF Eric Williams (9.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.7 apg in 28.7 minutes)

Boston receives:  C Erick Dampier (8.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 0.7 apg in 24.1
minutes)
  SG Jason Richardson (15.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.0 apg in 32.9 minutes)
  PF Troy Murphy (11.7 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 1.3 apg in 31.8 minutes)
  PG Nick Van Exel (12.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 4.3 apg in 27.8 minutes)

Now, if Ainge could pull off this one, I'd give him a round of applause.

Ray