Travis Best left his meeting with the Celtics yesterday in a strong Boston frame of mind, though the free agent guard wants a greener future than the minimum-salary contract the team is presently offering.

``I think we're very close to an arrangement,'' the Springfield native's agent, Forest King, said after touring the team's Waltham practice facility, which in turn followed a breakfast with general manager Chris Wallace and director of basketball development Leo Papile at the Four Seasons Hotel.

``We think within the week we'll have something done,'' he said. ``It all goes back to a lifelong dream of Travis to play (in Boston).''

That said, it will come with a price. Best told the Indianapolis Star last night that he will ``absolutely not'' sign for minimum money, which in this case would be $890,000 for a nine-year veteran. The Celtics want to stick to this number because, under league provisions designed to encourage the signing of older players, only $688,000 of it would count against the salary cap.

Anything over the minimum would push the team into luxury tax range. Best would like to earn the $1.4 million figure he was paid by Miami last season.

``Whatever is the best I can get,'' said Best. ``It's hard being a free agent now, but I'm just weighing my options. I'm looking for teams that fit me the best. I don't think I'll get my market value this year. I want to get with a team that's playoff-bound and a good fit.

``(The Celtics) wouldn't be a bad move for me,'' he said. ``They want me there before any other point guard that's left, and they've been showing interest for a long time. I have a good feeling for Boston - no question. But I owe it to myself to stay in the market.''