Baker to New York?

fordronken

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http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/story/167117p-146128c.html

Vin could be
a Knick soon



By FRANK ISOLA
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER


The agent for former Celtics power forward Vin Baker said yesterday his client should be signed by the end of the week, and that the Knicks are among Baker's top choices.

"The Knicks have a great chance," Aaron Goodwin said before the Knicks lost to the Cavs. "It's a great organization and they have number of people who are sensitive to the issues that Vin has gone through. They are also a playoff team and those are the categories we're looking for."

Detroit, Miami and Indiana are also said to be interested in Baker, who was released by the Celtics 10 days ago after being suspended for violating his drug aftercare program. Baker, a recovering alcoholic, had the final 21/2 years of his contract, worth $38 million, voided by the Celtics. Baker has filed an appeal through the Players Association, whose executive director, Billy Hunter, said yesterday that the union likely will give Baker the OK to sign with another team sometime within the next 48 hours.

"We just want to make sure it doesn't negatively impact his arbitration," Hunter said. "We hope to resolve that within the next day or so.

"If we believe it won't negatively impact it then we'll probably let him sign. If not then he may have to sit out until we get it resolved in arbitration because there is too much at stake. We have $38 million at stake and I can't take a chance on jeopardizing that by letting him sign a minimum salary with one of those teams."

If the 6-11 Baker is healthy, he can become the low post presence the Knicks covet. Before being released by Boston, Baker told several friends in the NBA that he would sign with the Knicks.

Baker was in New York last week but Goodwin denied that his client met with Knicks officials. Asked if such a meeting is scheduled to take place, Goodwin smiled and said, "No."

"Objectively, we'll look at what would be the best opportunity for him to better himself for next year," Goodwin said. "After all, he's a free agent."



This makes the Celtics look pretty bad if Vin starts playing right away on another team. I believe it was Marc Stein, who earlier said he would be appalled to see other teams go after Vin Baker and that owners should be lining up behind the Celtics on this one. This could be a huge precedent for the rest of the league. However, that being said, it's no surprise that if anyone wouldn't care how the other owners and GMs would respond it would be Isaiah Thomas, who, reportedly, isn't the most well liked fellow in the NBA.
 

scotsman13

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boston does what is right, and teams like the knicks will always do what they think will make them better as a team, with no care for people or their problems as long as they wear a knicks uni.
 

Joe Mama

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From what I understand Baker and his agent agreed to clauses in Baker's contract that would avoid the contract if he did not pass his drug and alcohol tests. He failed, so the Celtics took advantage of those clauses. I'm not sure it really matters whether he plays or not.

Joe Mama
 

Djaughe

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V. Baker is an enigma. If the knicks can get him for the minmium this season - it would be a bonus for their bench.

I don't see anyone straightening him out - he will probably fade out like s. kemp (except without reaching his potential) and get cut during the offseason.
 

George O'Brien

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The Nets signed and later cut Eddie Griffin. As a fan, my response when they signed him was "what are you tihinking?"

For all the newspaper jabbering about Baker, no one has signed him yet. Since the Knicks did not trade Kurt Thomas, it seems extremely unlikely he would contribute anything.

Miami is an odd case. They are taking a serious shot at getting into the playoff and need help on the inside. But I find it hard to believe that Pat Riley would accept Baker if he has any say in what the Heat managment does.
 
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fordronken

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Originally posted by Joe Mama
From what I understand Baker and his agent agreed to clauses in Baker's contract that would avoid the contract if he did not pass his drug and alcohol tests. He failed, so the Celtics took advantage of those clauses. I'm not sure it really matters whether he plays or not.

Joe Mama

If the case goes into an arbitration hearing, then Baker being okay to play basketball would probably hurt the Celtics' case.

And as for Baker not being signed yet, I think there is a certain amount of red tape that has to be cleared first.
 

thegrahamcrackr

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It shouldn't affect the arbitration at all. The contract as I understand, was dependant on a 3rd party doctor. If the 3rd party doctor (agreed upon by both parties), says Bake is not allowed to play for 10 consecutive games on the 3rd strike, then the Celts can terminate his contract. It isn't like the Celtics kept him out in order to get out from his deal, he wasn't cleared to play.

Also, Baker isn't necessarily fighting this. His agent made some noise, but that should be expected. Billy Hunter and the PA are filing a grievence on Baker's behalf. They feel this termination is bad for the union (which it is) so they are taking matters into his own hands.
 

George O'Brien

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Originally posted by thegrahamcrackr
It shouldn't affect the arbitration at all. The contract as I understand, was dependant on a 3rd party doctor. If the 3rd party doctor (agreed upon by both parties), says Bake is not allowed to play for 10 consecutive games on the 3rd strike, then the Celts can terminate his contract. It isn't like the Celtics kept him out in order to get out from his deal, he wasn't cleared to play.

Also, Baker isn't necessarily fighting this. His agent made some noise, but that should be expected. Billy Hunter and the PA are filing a grievence on Baker's behalf. They feel this termination is bad for the union (which it is) so they are taking matters into his own hands.

I'm guessing that Baker's agent and the union have a different agenda. Baker's agent know that if this case goes to arbitration, he will not be able to get anyone to sign Baker. Baker's agent knows that getting any of the lost $35 million would be a long shot, so his best bet is to prove he can still play so he has some negoitating strength this summer.

The union would just as soon keep the case in court indefinitely because they don't want to leave the precident open. The union has nothing to lose through litigation - but Baker does.
 

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