By Brendan Lynch

I never thought I would say this, but the Celtics should try and trade for Marcus Camby. According to a report on ESPN, the Nuggets center is unhappy, and can be had for players in the last year of their contracts. The report suggests that the Sonics, Lakers and Bulls are interested, but why not the Celtics? This is the kind of thing that the Celtics so rarely do nowadays, but should do to salvage the 2002-2003 season.

Camby declared for the NBA draft right before my freshman orientation at the University of Massachusetts in 1996. During the orientation, Calipari bolted for the Nets, and Bruiser Flint smiled the Minutemen's program into the ground. Of course, this all happened after UMass' 1996 Final Four berth was revoked due to a huge scandal involving money and hookers from an agent. Since I got scammed out of quality D-1 hoops in college, I figure Camby owes me and can pay up by helping out the C's.

The Nuggets reportedly want to get rid of Camby's contract to clear cap space, and are looking for players whose contracts expire after the season. Why not the C's? Boston is sorely lacking in the rebound department, Tony Battie's health is getting shaky, Vin Baker is useless (a donut last night at New Orleans), and a lineup of Camby, Battie, Antoine Walker, Paul Pierce and Tony Delk sounds pretty good. I'm not going to pretend I understand how the trade/salary matching process works, so my whole point may well be out the window, but I'm sure G.M. Chris Wallace could finagle a 3 way trade if necessary.

The kicker is obviously Camby's health, which so far in his career has been non-existent. But in 29 games last year, Camby averaged 11.1 ppg, 11.1 rpg and 1.7 blocks. That's exactly what the Celts need at center, and they aren't getting it from Baker. Battie and Camby at the 4 and 5, respectively, would be a nice tandem.

Trading for Camby smacks of desperation and would be a huge risk. We all know how well it turned out the last time the C's traded for a local center from Connecticut (Baker). There's also a good chance Camby might contract a case of career-ending turf toe. Such a move could blow up in Wallace's face, but it may well be better than finishing the season slightly over .500 with a 1st-round playoff loss. And if the C's advance deep into the playoffs on the back of a solid, consistent Camby, hoop fans in New England might even be able to forget about the whole cash/hookers/voided Final Four berth thing. Everbody's happy.


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