Walton May Meet With Auerbach; Offer Sheet or Trade a Possibility

Clipper center Bill Walton, a free agent, is expected to meet with Red Auerbach, president of the Boston Celtics, in Los Angeles today to discuss the possibility of Walton’s signing an offer sheet with the Celtics.

Walton, unavailable for comment Thursday, has expressed an interest in signing with either the Celtics or the Lakers. He also is expected to have a physical exam by Celtic doctors in the next few days.

Since the Celtics have the second-highest payroll in the NBA, behind the Lakers, they would have to manipulate their roster to sign Walton and stay under the National Basketball Assn. salary cap. The Celtics have tried to trade forward Cedric Maxwell, who earns $800,000 a season, to the Clippers, but the deal has been stalled because Maxwell’s left knee is only at 75% of its normal strength.

“I have not talked to Walton in the last couple of months, almost from the end of the season,” Carl Scheer, Clipper general manager, said Thursday. “I don’t know if Bill will meet with the Celtics. They don’t have to check with us.”