EASTERN CONFERENCE.

ATLANTIC DIVISION

BOSTON CELTICS: Many scouts remain unimpressed by the draft field, but director of player personnel Leo Papile says up to 35 players are viable candidates for the top 21 spots. The team could have up to three of those picks--No. 10, No. 21 and possibly No. 11. The Celtics invited Gs Joseph Forte, Omar Cook and Will Solomon; Cs Loren Woods and Brendan Haywood; and F Zach Randolph to Boston for workouts. Though Randolph was the most highly touted player to come to town, Forte might be the best fit, providing the extra scoring the team needs. In interviews, Forte was wise to the way the team could use him to take pressure off PF Antoine Walker and SF Paul Pierce.--Shira Springer

MIAMI HEAT: At one point, Rockets C Hakeem Olajuwon seemed like a desirable backup to Alonzo Mourning. But if Olajuwon is intent on seeking more than the $4.4 million mid-level exception, coach Pat Riley might instead turn his affections toward Patrick Ewing or another low-cost alternative. If the Bulls go for height in the draft, C Brad Miller has indicated he would use a potential release as an avenue to join the Heat. The team was interested in Miller last summer before he signed with the Bulls.--Ira Winderman

NEW JERSEY NETS: The team's need for a center is glaring, but it must weigh how much immediate help it can get at the position in the draft (not much) against what the No. 7 pick might net in a trade. The team is prepared to deal SF Keith Van Horn or PG Stephon Marbury in an effort to jump start a moribund franchise. Marbury, an All-Star and the team's leading scorer, likely would bring the most in return. But it would have to be a center and point guard.... The team also needs help at shooting guard. Kerry Kittles missed the entire season after knee surgery, and the Nets won't know how he will perform until July. Kendall Gill won't be back, and Lucious Harris isn't a starter.--Don Burke

NEW YORK KNICKS: The team missed the target when it traded PG Chris Childs for PG Mark Jackson. Jackson bad two mediocre regular-season months with the Knicks and was outplayed by Childs in a five-game opening-round playoff exit. But Jackson wanted to play for the Knicks, and Childs didn't, making the trade a good decision in terms of chemistry. Jackson was crushed when he sat out the fourth quarter of Game 5 vs. the Raptors. A year after a march to the NBA Finals with the Pacers, he's wondering how a seemingly storybook return home to his native New York could have gone so terribly wrong.--John Brennan

ORLANDO MAGIC: The Antonio Davis watch is on. The Raptors' Davis, a 6-9, 230-pound potential plug for the hole in the middle of the Magic lineup, is hitting the free-agent market. Seeing as how he built a home in Orlando, his wife and children live there and the Magic desperately needs someone with his skills, the buzz is all about Davis. The problem is Davis opted out of a $7 million deal in Toronto, and the Magic have only a $4.4 million exception. Orlando likely would have to offer a package of two or three players--PF Bo Outlaw, SF Mike Miller and C Michael Doleac are candidates--plus some draft picks in a sign-and-trade deal.--Bill Fay

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS: The injury situations of PG Eric Snow and C Matt Geiger are an interesting study in contrasts. Snow, who re-broke his right ankle in the playoffs, is playing through the pain. Diagnosed with the re-fracture before Game 5 against the Bucks, he made 7 of 9 shots, including the game-winner. Geiger, who could have been an important extra big body in the playoffs, doesn't have the same ability to play through the quadriceps tendinitis that has plagued him all season. In Game 6, he dressed for the first time since Game 2, playing three minutes when the Bucks were up by 29 points.--Jon Marks