According to Warren LeGarie, the agent for Chris Wallace, the Celtics' general manager should have a new job in another city sometime this summer. A move could happen even before the NBA draft June 26.

Portland remains the most logical destination, given that Wallace is far along in the interview process with the Trail Blazers and once worked for the team, though Washington, Atlanta, and Charlotte also have been mentioned as possibilities.

''Based on my instincts and my experience, my feeling is that Chris will be someplace else by mid-summer,'' said LeGarie. ''Under the circumstances this is a good thing with what he's had to endure there and go through. But at the same time he's still doing his daily duties, and [director of basketball operations] Danny [Ainge] has voiced on more than one occasion his reluctance to let him go.''

Washington has not formally asked permission to talk with Wallace, but the franchise is gathering information on him. The Celtics ownership has said Wallace has permission to talk with any team interested in his services.