Celtics look to void Vin Baker's Contract.

[SirFozzie]

I guess Vin can kiss that $36 million he had coming to him goodbye. What a fucked up year for my Celtics :(

CHICAGO -- The Celtics will take action today to void their contract with Vin Baker [news], and thus the $36 million still due the suspended forward.

A league source confirmed that because Baker hadn't joined the team by tip-off of the Celtics' game against the Bulls last night -- it is the 10th game Baker has missed after he was suspended for violating his aftercare program -- team officials would act on the contract. That includes approximately $6 million that had been slated for payment the rest of this season and another $30 million over the next two years.

The team reportedly was also preparing to waive the 32-year-old forward.

[rkmsuf]

This will probably go to arbitration and ultimately a negotiated buyout...either way a good thing for the Celtics.

[HornedFrog Purple]

Vin Baker is starting to pull a Roy Tarpley. It's too bad because he is a damn good player when his head is straight.

[rkmsuf]

Starting to? I'd say he's just about completed the cycle...

[The_herd]

This will be an interesting case to follow. Baker and his agent claim he had already met all the requirements for him to be cleared to play, but was still awaiting word from the Doctor. Add the fact that Boston has clearly been waiting for the 1st opportunity to void this contract, and its something I'm sure the league will have to look into.

However, Baker has been given every opportunity to succeed in Boston, and thus far has failed. He deserves whatever fate is ultimately handed down.

[rkmsuf]

While they are at it maybe they can void Pierce's contract. 6 shots last night...what an effort. I think he was jogging in place for most of the game...

[Desnudo]

Paul Gaston's last middle finger to Boston. Too bad it didn't work out for Vin though, he seems like a very nice guy. Although nice guy or not, I don't know one person in Boston who didn't see this train wreck coming.

[rkmsuf]

Paul Gaston's last middle finger to Boston. Too bad it didn't work out for Vin though, he seems like a very nice guy. Although nice guy or not, I don't know one person in Boston who didn't see this train wreck coming.

Don't forget Chris Wallace. He defended that deal all the way...

Between Pitino, Gaston and Wallace it's a miracle this team isn't sending Baker, Pippen, Dana Barros, Joe Forte and Travis Knight out there every night...

Although as of late they'd be competitve with the current cast...

[The_herd]

And predictably, the Players Union isn't very happy with this.

Friday, February 13, 2004

ESPN.com news services

BOSTON -- The Boston Celtics are on their way to getting rid of Vin Baker.

The Celtics requested waivers on Baker on Friday, a step toward releasing the former All-Star and saving the $36 million they owe him over the next 2½ seasons.

Billy Hunter, the head of the National Basketball Players' Association, said Baker's contract is guaranteed and the union will fight any attempts at "subterfuge."

"Tell the Celtics we're coming after them," Hunter said. "We're immediately putting the Celtics and the league on notice that we'll file a grievance and do what we have to do. We're going to go all out on this."

The matter is likely to wind up in arbitration.

Baker's representatives have insisted that he could have returned by the deadline.

"Vin's ready, waiting on the doctor to tell the Celtics he's ready. He'll continue to work out and continue to pass his tests," Baker's agent, Aaron Goodwin said.

Baker was suspended indefinitely on Jan. 23 for violating a testing program he agreed to last season when he left the team to check into alcohol rehab. He missed his 10th consecutive game on Thursday night, triggering a clause in the agreement that would allow the Celtics to release him.

Boston could attempt to terminate his contract on Wednesday morning unless another team claims him, an exceedingly slim possibility. They could also allow him to languish on the suspended list -- without pay -- indefinitely.

Hunter told ESPN's David Aldridge on Friday that the union will file an expedited grievance on Baker's behalf to restore his contract. An expedited grievance procedure guarantees a grievance filed by the league or by the union will be heard within 30 days by a mutually agreed-upon arbitrator.

The union contends that Baker's substance-abuse problems are irrelevant to the question of whether he is physically capable to perform for the Celtics. The union argues his ability to play is the only factor that matters under the uniform-player contract, which all players sign.

Goodwin said he has been in contact with the union but wouldn't comment on Baker's next step.

Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck declined comment. The team, in a statement posted on its Web site, will not comment until the waiver process is complete.

Saving Baker's salary still wouldn't allow the Celtics to be a player on the free agent market, but it could keep them out of luxury tax range.

Baker missed two months and the playoffs last season after he checked into a Connecticut rehab center. He agreed at the time to follow an aftercare program this season and submit to frequent testing.

But Baker failed to comply with the terms of the agreement at least three times before he was suspended indefinitely last month. The agreement dictated that only the doctor overseeing Baker's care could determine when he's ready to return, but after the suspension reached 10 games, that authority would transfer to the team.

In a statement issued late Thursday, Baker said he had done everything required of him to remain in compliance with his program and awaited clearance to play again.

"I am surprised and disappointed that I have not been cleared to play as of today, but I remain optimistic knowing I have gone above and beyond what has been asked of me during my absence," he said. "My representatives have and will continue to communicate with team officials on my behalf, until I am reinstated."

Celtics basketball boss Danny Ainge said the decision was in the hands of the team's attorneys.

"All I know at some point Vin could come back and at some point he could not," Ainge said Thursday night in Chicago, where the Celtics lost to the Bulls to fall to 23-31 on the season.

The 6-foot-11 Baker was the eighth overall pick by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1993 draft. He averaged 21 points and 10 rebounds over his last two seasons in Milwaukee before he was traded to Seattle for the 1997-98 season.

His first season in Seattle showed only slight drop-off, and he was good enough to be picked for the 2000 U.S. Olympic team. But by the time the Sydney games came around, his play had deteriorated to the point where he was rarely used.

Baker, who said he began binge drinking during the 1998-99 lockout, was suspended Feb. 27, 2003, and didn't play again last season. But after treatment he returned in better shape and determined to make it up to his teammates.

He scored in double figures in 21 of his first 35 games, but then his production dropped off again. He totaled just 12 points in four games before being suspended for three games, then played in just two of the next five games before being suspended again.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this rep

[stevew]

From what I've read at least, the celtics are gonna pay him a bit of cash, but its definately not gonna be arbitration. Apparently he doesnt want it to get out just how bad his problem is.

[BishopMVP]

The union contends that Baker's substance-abuse problems are irrelevant to the question of whether he is physically capable to perform for the Celtics. The union argues his ability to play is the only factor that matters under the uniform-player contract, which all players sign.
Ummm...when you're drunk every night, it doesn't help your performance.

[Vince]

So the Union is going to say that as long as he can play no matter the ability level, that's enough? Sounds like a shaky argument at best...

I agree with HFP...Vin Baker is great when his head is on straight. It's too bad...I was really excited that he seemed to be back on track early in the year.

Anyone here read the Page 2 article about Simmons' NBA Fantasy draft with his dad before the season started? I'll have to go look up the link, but that was pure gold.

[stevew]

Hopefully in the new CBA, the NBA will tone down the long guaranteed contacts.