BOSTON (AP) – A month after the Boston Celtics suspended forward Vin Baker for an indefinite time and an undisclosed reason, the NBA players union still had not decided whether to contest the punishment.
Baker, who has contributed little to the team this year after being acquired from Seattle over the summer, was suspended on Feb. 27. Although the team would not specify the reason for the suspension, The Boston Globe reported that Baker would seek counseling for a drinking problem.
National Basketball Players Association executive director Billy Hunter said at the time that the union was “convinced that there is a basis to conclude that there has been a violation of the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.” But the union has yet to contest the suspension, and the Globe reported Thursday that the deadline to do so is Saturday.
Neither union attorney Ron Klempner nor a spokesman returned repeated calls seeking comment. A Celtics spokesman did not return calls seeking comment. Baker has fired his agent, Aaron Goodwin. Baker is not being paid during the suspension, though he would reportedly get some of the money back when he returns. The Celtics would be on the hook for Baker’s $12.4 million this season, plus three more years and about $44 million on his deal.
AP-ES-03-27-03 1800EST
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