WALTHAM, Mass. (AP) – Vin Baker may play for the Boston Celtics’ summer league team after being suspended for more than the last two months of the season because of personal issues.
Danny Ainge, the team’s new executive director of basketball operations, said Wednesday the Celtics are working on a conditioning program for Baker and he plans to speak with the player soon.
The team has not disclosed the specifics of Baker’s condition, but the Boston Globe has reported that he is being treated for alcohol abuse. Baker has three years and about $44 million left on his contract after Boston obtained him from Seattle last July 22.
“Our intention is just to go forward and hope that things work out for Vin. That’s the best option for everybody involved,” Ainge said. “Vin is on the track of changing his life and we will do everything to continue that process and give him every opportunity to succeed.”
The team suspended the 6-foot-11 power forward on Feb. 27 for what it called “personal issues” and he didn’t play again.
In 52 games, he made nine starts and averaged 5.2 points and 3.8 rebounds in 18.1 minutes per game.
Boston’s season ended May 12 when the New Jersey Nets completed a four-game sweep in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The Celtics host a summer league every year and Ainge said Baker may play in it.
“We plan on getting him on a workout schedule, get him in condition,” Ainge said. “We’ve had preliminary talks of inviting him to summer league, but those are things that we have to weigh all the plusses and minuses as we go about it.
“I’m not saying that those things will happen for sure. A lot of it (depends on) his progress.”
Ainge said he has received reports from Celtics medical personnel about Baker but isn’t sure that his arrival – and any extra interest he might take in Baker – would be a major benefit to the player.
“It still boils down to Vin Baker,” Ainge said. “Does he want to change his life? Danny Ainge isn’t going to do it. (Celtics Hall of Famer) Bill Russell isn’t going to do it. Maybe somebody can give him some encouragement, but it’s living day to day and changing your life.”
The Celtics obtained Baker and guard Shammond Williams from Seattle for guards Kenny Anderson and Joseph Forte and center Vitaly Potapenko. The team hoped Baker could give them a low-post presence, but he struggled and often looked awkward on the court.
Still, Baker began the season with a 16.9-point scoring average in nine NBA seasons after playing at the University of Hartford.
He went to high school in Old Saybrook, Conn.
His days as a star are in the past, and Ainge just wants to get him healthy and conditioned enough to contribute to the Celtics.
“I know that’s going to be a challenge. It’s up to Vin in a lot of cases, but we’ll do whatever we can to help,” Ainge said. “He’s getting a lot of help from the organization already. We’re hopeful he can come back.”
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