Sam Smith on dealing Pierce

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

Not much here. Just a writer throwing a question out there. I wonder who
the "insiders" are? Pierce hasn't seemed upset by everything.



Mark



Celtic slide: Will the Celtics trade Pierce? That's the question in
Boston these days as general manager Danny Ainge has blown up the team
and a coaching staff that had the Celtics in the conference finals in
2002. Pierce has remained quiet, but insiders say he's seething and
could demand a trade if fortunes continue to wane. There would be plenty
of takers. The Celtics are here to play the Bulls on Thursday, and that
marks the end of the team's waiting period on Vin Baker. If he isn't
cleared to play by then--and his agent claims he's ready--the Celtics
would be in position to void the last two years of his contract at
approximately $30 million.