Celtics’ Parish Says Sonics Want Him

Boston Celtics center Robert Parish, the oldest starter in the NBA, says the Seattle SuperSonics are trying to acquire him, according to a published report.

“I did talk to K. C. Jones and he told me that they are trying to get me,” The Union Leader newspaper quoted Parish as saying. Jones, now Seattle’s coach, formerly coached the Celtics.

Parish said trading him would be a mistake because the Celtics “wouldn’t have a legitimate center.”

“Joe Kleine is not a legitimate center in the sense that he is not a shot blocker and not an intimidator,” he was quoted as saying. “He’s not a force on the offensive end.”

Parish, 36, acknowledged that Kleine is the best backup he’s had since Bill Walton in 1986. But if the Celtics trade him, Parish believes no one on the roster could replace him.

“Kevin McHale is capable, but he’d be playing out of position,” Parish said.