The Pioneer's rebuilding efforts had not stopped.
"Vin Baker?"
Inside John Nash's office, Chen Yu learned of the Celtics' trade proposal.
They planned to package Vin Baker and Joe Johnson, plus a 2004 first-round pick, to acquire Damon Stoudemire from the Pioneer.
Vin Baker's salary for this season was $13.5 million. Joe Johnson was in the third year of his rookie contract, with a salary of only $1.85 million.
Damon Stoudemire's salary this season was $12.38 million.
The salary difference for the trade was less than $5 million, so the deal was permissible.
Of course, to free up a roster spot, the Pioneer could also include a throw-in player.
This 2004 first-round pick wasn't even the Celtics' own; it was one they had acquired from the Mavericks last month in the Antoine Walker trade.
Angie, who had taken the reins this season, had never really thought much of Walker.
