10.12.2019

Maxwell for Walton No Slam Dunk

June 27, 2985

Plot Thickens in Bill Walton Saga

Bill Walton was at a basketball camp in San Diego yesterday while Cedric Maxwell was home in Charlotte, N.C., packing for a month of rehab work in Los Angeles. The principals in the big non-deal of the week aren't saying much about what might happen, but everybody else has an opinion on the matter.



Los Angeles Clippers coach Don Chaney said he'd like to have both Maxwell and Walton on his team next year. "I'm looking at it that way," Chaney said from poolside as the annual league meetings moved to a Napa Valley country club for a day of recreation. "I would like to have Bill and Max on my team."

Boston coach K.C. Jones said he'd like to have a healthy Maxwell back, "but if we can work out a Walton deal . . . Hell, he's 6-11 and a legendary player. Now it's just wait-and-see."

After meeting with Walton in Los Angeles last Friday, Red Auerbach is convinced that Walton would rather play for Boston than the Clippers or LA Lakers. Walton has until Aug. 1 to get a free agent offer; otherwise, he loses his free agency and becomes property of the Clippers.

Auerbach isn't worried about Walton signing with the Lakers. "The Clippers would have to match (the offer) and he knows that," Auerbach said before returning to his Washington home yesterday. "They could never let him go across town. They'd have to fold the franchise. That would be like me letting Kevin McHale go play for another NBA franchise in Brookline."

Auerbach also isn't worried about Boston going without a small forward. "You try to improve your ball club," said Auerbach. "You worry about that other stuff later. We could always find somebody else to do a job."

Due to salary-cap restrictions, the Celtics would be unable to sign Walton unless they moved a player making relatively big money - Maxwell makes $805,000 - and there is still reason to doubt that the Celtics will move Maxwell.

"I think Max will be playing for the Boston Celtics next year," said his agent, Ron Grinker. "Where are they going to get a player to take Max' place, to do what he does?"

Grinker thinks the Celtics are using the trade talk to light a fire under the lethargic Maxwell.

"A message has been sent to Cedric and it's been received loud and clear," said Grinker. "The talks with the Clippers merely re-established what needs to be done."

Maxwell needs to work his left leg back into shape after having had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in February. He will work under the supervision of Dr. Tony Daly, the Clippers' team physician.

"The Clippers are not supervising the rehabilitation," Grinker pointed out. "We privately have procured (Daly's) services. If Max was in Boston we'd have him work under Dr. (Robert) Leach, but it's not in Max' best interests to be in Boston right now. It's uncomfortable for him to be there right now because of all the trade talk."

"If Max comes back teed off and ready to play, this would all be worth it," added Celtic assistant coach/scout, Ed Badger. "Now the ball is in his hands - if he wants to work that hard, and I think he will."

Maxwell is scheduled to begin his rehab work with Daly later this week. Daly has doubts about the condition of Maxwell's knee and his failure to recover from what was supposedly minor surgery. The Clippers plan to make a decision on Maxwell in July. If he's healthy, the Celtics might hesitate to deal him - unless Walton is part of the agreement.

Chaney, meanwhile, is not worried about being "used" by Boston. "Max is a friend and I know what it's like to come back from knee surgery," said the ex-Celtic. "If we just help him back, I'll be happy with that."

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