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BOSTON -- The Boston Celtics put Vin Baker on waivers Friday, the next step in releasing the suspended former all-star from a contract that would pay him $36 million over the next 2½ seasons. However, the players' union is not going to stand pat.
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.
By placing him on waivers, the Celtics initiated the process of terminating his contract. Unless another team claims him before Wednesday morning -- an exceedingly slim possibility -- Boston can release him.
"Until the waiver process runs its course, the team will refrain from further comment on this matter," Celtics spokesman Bill Bonsiewicz said in a statement posted on the team's Web site.
As expected, the players' union is planning a fight.
Players association executive director Billy 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 is contending 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.
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. "Vin is a basketball player who is ready to play basketball today."
Goodwin said he has been in contact with the union but wouldn't comment on Baker's next step.
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 report.
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l 1 KC Chief Super Bowl Championship l - l 1 KC Royals World Series Title l - l 2 Kansas University Jayhawk NCAA Basketball Chamionships l
I don't know either... he's getting pretty old, he might just retire.
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l 1 KC Chief Super Bowl Championship l - l 1 KC Royals World Series Title l - l 2 Kansas University Jayhawk NCAA Basketball Chamionships l
He signed with the Knicks a couple weeks ago, actually. His contract is to the end of this season.
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l 1 KC Chief Super Bowl Championship l - l 1 KC Royals World Series Title l - l 2 Kansas University Jayhawk NCAA Basketball Chamionships l
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