NEW YORK (AP) Vin Baker won his arbitration case against the NBA on Thursday, freeing him to sign with the team of his choice for the remainder of the regular season.

In a case that was argued Monday, arbitrator Roger Kaplan invalidated an NBA memo barring the other 28 teams from signing Baker until his other grievance _ against the Boston Celtics _ is settled.

No date has been set yet for Baker's case against the Celtics, who terminated the remaining 2{ years of Baker's contract _ worth $35 million _ after he missed 10 games while on suspension for violating terms of his alcohol treatment program.

Aaron Goodwin, Baker's agent, has said the New York Knicks, Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors have shown interest in signing his client.

``We're happy with the decision,'' Goodwin said, declining further comment.

The NBA had argued that if Baker were to win his case against Boston, he'd have to return to the Celtics because his contract would be reinstated. The players' union argued that Baker should have a right to seek employment elsewhere while his case against the Celtics is pending.

Kaplan ruled that the NBA's March 1 memo violated articles 11 and 14 of the collective bargaining agreement, which deal with free agency and collusion, union spokesman Dan Wasserman said.

The NBA will not appeal the decision.

``We obviously disagree with the arbitrator's decision, but have elected not to appeal and to allow Mr. Baker to sign a contract with another team,'' Rick Buchanan, NBA senior vice president and general counsel, said in a statement.

Baker, a member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic team, was averaging 11.0 points and 5.7 rebounds for Boston before being suspended.

The former All-Star's production has dropped significantly over the past several seasons, but there are at least three teams that believe he can help them reach the postseason in the tightly contested Eastern Conference playoff race.