From: Snoopy the Celtics Beagle <snoopy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: Celtics@xxxxxxxx, Celticsstuffgroup@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Latest on Baker via ESPN.com Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2004 22:01:06 -0500
By Darren Rovell, ESPN.com
Former <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=bos>Boston Celtics forward <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=1279>Vin Baker might have a new home by the end of the week.
Billy Hunter, executive director of the NBA Players Association, told ESPN.com on Sunday that union officials will determine by Tuesday if Baker's possible signing with another team would interfere with the union's action against the Celtics on his behalf.
Baker's contract with $36 million remaining was terminated last week after the veteran forward missed his 10th consecutive game following another violation of his alcohol rehabilitation program.
Baker signed a contract with the team stating that the Celtics could unilaterally terminate him after he missed 10 consecutive games following another mishap. Baker was suspended indefinitely on Jan. 23.
After Baker was cut, the NBA Players Association filed a grievance on Baker's behalf last week claiming it was impossible to determine that Baker was unfit to play, especially given the number of teams interested in signing him since he cleared waivers.
"Once the union makes their decision on this, we can move forward," said Baker's agent Aaron Goodwin, who insists that his client has no lack of offers from high-caliber teams. Hunter said that should the union allow Baker to proceed, there still would be an effort to recover some of his promised compensation from the Celtics.
The grievance is expected to be heard within the next month.
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