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Baker

The Celtics don’t want to wait until training camp to learn whether Baker will be able to contribute to the team next season. The forward appears to be doing well after his battle with alcohol, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be able to help the Celtics.

Arbitrator Roger Kaplan said he will have a written decision Thursday.

No word if Baker will be able to play.

The Celtics couldn’t comment, but it’s believed they’ll pay about half of the $35 million. They’ll get some cap relief because of the agreement, but not enough to make them a major player in free agency.

Baker had struggled in his previous three games, perhaps because of a sore knee, perhaps because they wanted to get Raef LaFrentz more involded. LaFrentz is still hurting, though, and the Celtics want to make an effort to take some of the pressure off Paul Pierce by using Baker. He should be a good bet to continue playing close to his averages of 14.4 points and 6.9 rebounds. He’ll also give you a boost in field goal percentage.

Here is some explanation for the drop off in Baker’s production since his hot start. In his last three games he’s averaged just 7.3 points and 5.0 rebounds, down from his season averages of 14.3 and 6.8. He’s also gotten to the line just three times over the last three games.

Baker, who has received treatment for alcohol-related problems, hopes to play next season. The Celtics plan to generally keep their distance and get reports on Baker’s progress.

Adding Baker is one of the few faults we can find with the job Isiah Thomas has done so far. With Jamal Crawford out, the Knicks are running a 9-man rotation with which they are quite comfortable. Jerome Williams is playing the role Baker was supposed to fill of high-energy big man, while Trevor Ariza, Moochie Norris, and Mike Sweetney play other key reserve roles.

Thursday’s game would mark the 10th Baker has missed since his latest suspension. If he is still suspended at that point, the Celtics, and not a league doctor, take control of the situation. One of the options the Celtics would have after Thursday is to terminate Baker’s contract.

Because Baker has missed 10 games after he was suspended for violating his aftercare program, team officials may act on the contract. Baker will forfeit approximately $6 million the rest of this season and another $30 million over the next two years. The Celtics are expected to waive the 32-year-old. The players association is expected to file a grievance in hopes of negotiating a buyout, but Baker has been given numerous chances and signed an agreement last summer that the Celtics would be able to take this exact action if the above circumstances came to pass. Frankly, it’s disappointing to hear Baker’s representative accuse the Celtics of looking for a way to get out from under the $36 million deal.