9.05.2008

Celtics Exchange Picks with Mavs

Antoine Walker's First Year in Green
6/22/96

Yesterday, in a move that was waiting to happen, the Boston Celtics finally unloaded Eric Montross, the team's first-round pick in 1994. Montross is headed to Dallas for the Mavericks' first pick this year, No. 6 overall, and their own No. 1 next year. Dallas also receives the Celtics' first-round pick this year, ninth overall.

M.L. Carr called the move from No. 9 to No. 6 in next week's NBA draft ``a quantum leap.'' He's probably right. The Celtics can cross off most of the players they worked out in the last few weeks with one notable exception: Kentucky's Antoine Walker .

He is one player who may be available at No. 6, and that possibility became more distinct yesterday when California forward-center Shareef Abdur-Rahim announced through his coach he would stay in the NBA draft. Another possibility is Connecticut guard Ray Allen, who has been mentioned as a consensus top fiver but could slip to sixth.

The possibility of moving higher in the draft also is worth noting. Carr could package the No. 6 pick and Dallas' No. 1 from next year to go even higher for a shot at Marcus Camby. He may be Boston's ultimate goal, but for now, the best bets are Walker and Allen.

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