per ESPN.com

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"> It looks like the Sonics have made a bold move that could eventually change the entire face of the franchise.

A league source confirmed to ESPN.com that the Celtics and Sonics have reached a deal that will send Vin Baker and Shammond Williams to Boston in return for Kenny Anderson, Vitaly Potapenko and Joe Forte. The teams will submit the paperwork to the league in the next few hours. The Celtics will hold a news conference at noon on Tuesday.

Facing the loss of Rodney Rogers, a key free agent, this summer due to luxury tax issues, the Celtics decided to act swiftly to replace Rogers scoring and inside presence. Baker, who had career highs in scoring (21 ppg) and rebounding (10.3 rpg) for the Bucks during the 1997-98 season has struggled since being shipped to the Sonics. Last season Baker averaged 14.1 ppg and 6.4 rpg, but only started 41 games for the Sonics. However, Baker averaged over 19 ppg versus Eastern Conference teams.

For the Celtics, the trade culminates a series of moves in Boston. In the last six months the team has dealt away two 2001 first-round picks, Joe Johnson and Joe Forte, its 2002 first-rounder and its starting point guard for Baker, Williams and Tony Delk. The Celtics were also able to rid themselves of Potapenko's contract. He'll make $27 million over the next three years.

Anderson is coming off his best season in years as the Celtics made their way to the Eastern Conference finals. Anderson's trade value may never have been higher. He is in the last year of his contract and was finally living up to the huge expectations he's been saddled with his entire career. While, at 32, he didn't have a long-term future in Boston, the move leaves a gaping hole at point guard for the Celtics.

For the Sonics, the move was clearly a financial transaction. Anderson is in the last year of his contract. Baker has four years remaining on his. The deal will clear nine million off the books for the Sonics next summer, allowing them to be a player in the free agent bonanza of 2003. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">

It was a good trade all-around for both teams...although, the Celtics just gave away their point guard for a young, unexperienced point guard...I think the celtics weakness now is at the guards...

heck, their forwards/centers are the best now...Forte had led their Summer team to the championship and now they trade him? wow

Walker, Pierce, Baker, Battie <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />
Williams, Delk? <img border="0" alt="[snore]" title="" src="graemlins/snore.gif" />

Great trade in the eyes of a Tar Heel fan:

Joseph Forte wasn't doing very well in Boston, and I think a change could only help him.

I am glad to see Shammond Williams coming back to the East Coast, I know that he didn't like the West Coast as much. After struggling in the NBA after college, Shammond has really worked his butt off and improved, and now he could be Boston's starting point guard next year! <img border="0" alt="[Cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/cheers.gif" />

Looks like this trade will help both Tar Heels in their NBA careers! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/cheers.gif" />

I am a Sonics fan and I am sad that Baker is leaving but he wasn't leaving up the hype around him about being a great player. He never was the player that he was in Milwaukee that Seattle expected him to be and he had some weight issues.

I like forte coming to Seattle and I Hope that he is able to do a great job and help us out a lot.