Building the Celtics

[Alex Wang <awang@mit.edu>]

I would predict that Pitino makes the following moves:

'99 offseason:
- Ron Mercer traded for a defense/rebounding power forward with some inside 
  game. Possibly packaged with Battie or Anderson.
- Marlon Garnett and Dwayne Schintzius not re-signed. 
- Damon Jones signs for minimum as the third-string point guard
  OR Wayne Turner is drafted or signed as rookie free agent.
- Bowen signs for another two years at a small salary.
- Riley signs for minimum.
- Battie is extended for 6 years, $22M (if he isn't traded)

'99 season:
Starters: Anderson, Pierce, Walker, PF, Potapenko
Bench: Barros, Minor, McCarty, P.Jones, Battie/Ellison
3rd string: Jones/Turner, Bowen, Riley

At the trading deadline, they consider a trade of Kenny Anderson if
the Celtics are underperforming.

'00 offseason:
- Pervis and Dino Radja come off the books. 
- Add a low first rounder: best available player.
- Add a middle-class exception player: either a bruising center or 
  a scoring swingman.
- Riley is let go.

'00 season
Starters: Anderson/PG, Pierce, Walker, PF, Potapenko
Bench: Barros, Minor, McCarty, P.Jones, Battie/exception, draft pick

Only minor moves during the offseason.

'01 offseason:
- Barros, Popeye, and Minor come off the books. 
- Add another low first rounder.

Depending on how the Celtics are playing and the state of the 
salary cap, Pitino may position the team to add a free agent. 
Remember, this is the year the Celtics are supposed to begin
contending. Currently they are committed to around $30M in
salaries for that year (Anderson, Pierce, McCarty, Walker, 
Potapenko, two draft picks), putting them significantly below 
the cap. Of course, Mercer, Battie, or the acquired PF could
take up the remaining cap room.

Who's available that year?
Top talents are probably: Mashburn, Horace Grant, Mutombo, 
Laettner, Webber.

Alex