re: Vecsey says the Celts are discussing Battie-Ewill for Antonio Davis

[Mark Piotrowski <markp@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

wayray wrote:

> As previously noted, it doesn't work cap wise.

Antonio Davis for Battie/Ewill doesn't work, but AD --> 
Battie/Ewill/Kedrick does.

So it begs the question would you -- if you were DA -- do this trade?

For me its a tough call.  I think Battie is probably better suited for 
our (now) vaunted defensive scheme (you could even argue he's the  
anchor) so i'd be nervous of giving him up.  Also Battie is 2" taller 
than AD -- in my book AD at Center is even more a stretch than Battie.

On the other hand AD has been historically more durable than Battie, is 
a much better rebounder (a key for our soon-to-be realized (hopefully) 
running game) and is statistically as good a shot blocker.

Contract wise -- AD's goes 2 more years after this as does Battie's, so 
its essentially like deferring Ewill's freed up money for 2 more years.

I guess its a toss-up in my book, which would lead me to just stand pat.

> Davis has two years left on his
> contract and it's more favorable for the Celtics to just let Williams 
> go after
> the season, especially if Walker makes good on his reported threats
> to leave. If Baker exited this season:  59 - 14 = 45 - 5 = 40 - 14  = 
> 26.
> A figure in that vicinity is what the Celtics are striving for, so 
> they can sign a Impact MAX Free Agent. Of course, if Walker and 
> Williams leave, but Baker stays, then big
> problems.
>
> The key is for Baker to either play well and attract the attention of 
> teams wanting
> frontcourt help, who aren't bothered by the luxury tax, and have 
> players with expiring
> contracts like the Knicks with Ward and Knight or  Dallas with Chris 
> Mills or for
> his contract to be negated or for him to  retire with a favorable 
> buyout.

OK assuming (a big assumption -- but we're just thinking alound here) 
that Baker does play well enough to attract the attention of other 
teams (or keep our attention) what might be out there?  Either teams -- 
as way suggests -- that aren't bothered by the Lux. Tax or teams with 
some cap space looking to unstagger contracts:

dallas -- its not as easy, ray, as Baker for Mills and his exp. 
contract.  It would more likely be Baker for Mills + Abdul Wahad (and 
his 3 years remaining at $6mil or so).  If that's the case, and 
assuming Baker is playing well enough for Dallas to want him, I say 
keep him.

New York -- if McDyess is done (and NY is therefore looking for a PF/C) 
and Baker's back, I'd do that in a heartbeat.  Again it'd have to be 
Ward/Knight plus Harrington to make the #s work -- though i suspect NY 
would try and hold onto Knight's exp. contract and push for a Ward (0 
remaining), Weatherspoon (2 yrs) and Doleac (1).

Again assuming that Baker is playing well enough (say 12 pts, 8 reb) to 
warrant interest from NY -- i wouldn't want to take on average-to-bad 
contracts of player types we don't need (ie. weatherspoon or 
Abdul-Wahad) in exchange for a legit PF (baker -- again assuming he 
"comes back")

(the other) mark