Derek Smith Officially a Celtic

1990-91 Boston Celtics
Remembering the 29-5 Start

Derek Smith and the Celtics made it official yesterday. The 29-year-old swingman has signed on for the remainder of the season. Smith was placed on the suspended list, meaning the Celtics did not have to risk putting a player on waivers to make room for him. He is recovering from surgery in September to remove scar tissue from his left knee.

"It's a good gamble for us," Celtics basketball boss Dave Gavitt said. "If he gets back to where he was, we have ourselves a helluva player. And knowing Derek, if there's a chance for him to get back, he will." Gavitt and coach Chris Ford both said there is no timetable for Smith's return and there will be no pressure on him to return before he is ready. Smith feels he is 2-3 weeks away;the Celtics feel that is a bit optimistic.

Smith, who will wear No. 43, was an unrestricted free agent and the Celtics used Jim
Paxson's slot (one-half of $875,000) to sign him. He is scheduled to arrive in Boston
Wednesday and his rehab will be supervised by team physician Arnold Scheller. The Celtics' one acknowledged sore spot is its defense against the strong, quick small forwards. Smith helps them in that area and also could help defensively at the big guard spot. He knows where the basket is, too, having averaged 22 points a game before blowing out his knee in 1985.

"I'm happy with what we're doing," Ford said. "He's not ready now, but hopefully, down the line, he will be. We're going to be cautious." Smith auditioned for about an hour last Tuesday in what was supposed to be a hush-hush performance at Hellenic College. The next day, the two sides all but agreed on a deal and the Celtics then went about finding a place for Smith on the roster.

Originally, it was thought a player would have to be released. That way, Smith could be activated for one game and then put on the injured list. But Gavitt said the league gave the OK to put Smith on the suspended list because Smith isn't physically ready to play. Under a loophole, he will be paid while still on the suspended list.