The Celtics are limited to the $1.9 million biannual exception, but they have made an initial move.

A league source confirmed that Doc Rivers, who has not attended the first two days of summer league games, met with Hill - an Orlando neighbor of the Celtics coach - earlier this week.

The Celtics' obvious edge over the Knicks and Spurs - their chances of winning another NBA title - may not play a deciding factor in the chase for Hill, who professed a strong affinity for the Knicks and New York during an interview with the media.

The source added that Hill, however, may simply be attempting to leverage a better deal in Phoenix.

``Grant is a very complex individual,'' the source said.

Fading Starbury

The Celtics and Stephon Marbury have apparently moved toward an amicable parting.

The point guard, reportedly headed to the Wizards, is also trying his best to find a starting job - something he knows wouldn't have happened with the Celtics .

``I wanted to stay, but they had other plans, which are cool,'' Marbury said yesterday via e-mail. ``I had the best time in Boston, and the fans were great.''

Walker ailing

Bill Walker sat out yesterday's 85-82 loss to the Magic with back spasms, joining Mike Sweetney (sore hamstring) on the bench.

The second-year forward admittedly needs as much court time as he can get to convince management that he deserves a chance at the rotation - as well as the roster, period.

Defense, not surprisingly, will be his ticket.

``Most likely, especially with coach Rivers and (associate coach Tom) Thibodeau,'' Walker said. ``I like a challenge. I'm not going to run from anybody. I go against Paul (Pierce) every day, so that's the best way there is to prepare.

``He's coming at you every day,'' he said. ``It seems like he comes up with a different move for you each time. He really approaches it like (a contest). He doesn't want to get stopped by anybody.

``I can learn from that. I want to prove that I can be an everyday player.'' . . .

Though the game was tied at 80 with 47 seconds left, Orlando turned on the jets to pull out yesterday's contest. The Celtics now have a 1-1 summer league record. . . .

Nick Fazekas and Robert Swift both fouled out. With Sweetney already sidelined with his sore hamstring, the result was a rather small Celtics team, though Coby Karl, in his first game, had an exceptional day from the perimeter with 18 points on 5-of-9 shooting. J.R. Giddens was once again the most athletic player on the floor, and he finished with 17 points, five assists and four rebounds.

Sheed no concern

Some believe that Rasheed Wallace's thorny personality might have a detrimental affect on his new surroundings, but Stan Van Gundy has no such concerns.

The key, according to the Orlando coach, will be in Wallace's surroundings.

``They have a very strong group of veterans with (Kevin) Garnett, Pierce and Ray (Allen), and those guys are going to make sure that someone does things the right way,'' he said. . . .

Thibodeau, apparently out of the running for the head coaching opening in Detroit with the news that former Celtics assistant John Kuester was about to be hired, said yesterday that he hadn't been contacted about an interview.