WALTON-MAXWELL TALKS HEATING UP AGAIN
The Celtics and Los Angeles Clippers have reached what might be called an agreement in principle to trade Cedric Maxwell plus Boston's first-round draft choice in 1986 for Bill Walton.
But before the deal can be made, the "interests" of the two players involved will have to be satisfied.
"The two teams have a purchase and sale agreement, but the sale is yet to be closed," said someone close to the negotiations. "Now we have to get the players to buy it."
The deal may be one of the most complicated in league history because it involves two veteran players making very serious money, and a team - the Celtics - already at the limit of the league's salary cap.
Therefore, concessions and restructuring must be agreed to by both players so that their contracts can be realigned to allow the Celtics to stay under the limit. The Celtics already have an understanding with Walton as to what they will pay him.
Apparently Maxwell is also ready to go along with the financial game.
A week ago, Boston felt the trade was dead, but it came to life again Monday. The Clippers reportedly wanted the top choice in the draft next year as well as Maxwell. The Celtics said no, preferring to keep the choice they received in the Gerald Henderson trade a year ago from Seattle.
But the Celtics figure their spot in the draft won't come until 20th pick or later, and after studying next year's prospects, they have decided they could not get a player in that spot who could make their team.
Walton wants to come to Boston and has told the Clippers he will not play for them anymore. Maxwell is ready to make the move. Unless something new pops up, it should be just a matter of days before it can all be resolved financially.
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