Walton Passes Physical; Maxwell Trade Closer

The proposed trade of the Clippers’ Bill Walton for the Boston Celtics’ Cedric Maxwell moved at least a step closer to completion when both players took physical examinations Friday.

Walton passed his physical in the morning at Boston University Hospital, according to Dr. Howard Silva, Celtic team physician. Walton then met with Celtic officials to work out final terms of his contract, including what a source close to the negotiations called a minor hitch involving the structuring of deferred payments.

Maxwell was examined late Friday afternoon at the University of North Carolina Charlotte by Dr. Tim Taft, an orthopedic specialist recommended by Dr. Tony Daly, Clipper team physician. There was no immediate word on whether Maxwell passed his physical.

Barring last-minute complications, the deal is expected to be completed today, although it won’t be official until contracts are signed.

Ron Grinker, Maxwell’s agent, told the Boston Herald, however, that an agreement in principal had already been reached. “It’s contingent upon both players passing physicals and both players having their contracts rewritten to conform to salary-cap regulations,” Grinker said. “It’ll be finalized.”

The deal will reportedly send Walton, 32, to Boston for Maxwell, 30, and the Celtics’ No. 1 draft choice in 1986. Boston will keep a second No. 1 pick, which it got from Seattle in a trade for Gerald Henderson before last season. In addition, the Celtics are supposed to pay more than half of Maxwell’s $805,000 salary next season.