Raef

LaFrentz

LaFrentz, projected as the Celtics’ starting power forward, is going to have to play through pain. The surgery took care of the structural damage in the knee, but he’s probably going to continue to have problems.

“On most nights we can go small,’' coach Doc Rivers said. “There was a point (Wednesday) night when I thought of putting (6-foot-4 rookie) Tony Allen on (6-11 center) Marcus Camby and just living with it. As a coach, if you can put your best five on the floor and get away with it, then you’re going to do it. And you could say that our best lineup is (small).”

Lafrentz is playing carefree basketball for the first time in years. His knees look like they’ll hold up all season.

LaFrentz must spend at least two more games on the IL, but could be ready to contribute shortly after that. He’s added back the five pounds he lost due to the infection.

''I think we may have to take a step back and see what needs to be done here,’' Ainge said. ''I don’t know if that’s getting the knee scoped or getting him some rest for a while or just shutting it down entirely and getting it right.’' It’s looking pretty safe to drop LaFrentz, as even Ainge concedes the Celtics are probably playing for next year.

GM Danny Ainge said this weekend that he was concerned about LaFrentz and would consider getting his knee scoped or even shutting him down. LaFrentz said he hadn’t even begun to consider postseason arthroscopic surgery to clean out the troublesome knee. ''We’re just trying to give it treatment and get it better,’' he said.

Though LaFrentz said the procedure to repair a tendon separated from the bone is considered minor surgery, it will effectively end his season. Recovery and rehabilitation is expected to last four months.

The Mavs want more defense and rebounding out of their center, but while Thomas has had a lot of success in the Eastern Conference, he probably wouldn’t be such a valuable piece in the West.

LaFrentz thinks he’ll have a healthy right leg for the first time in 2 1/2 years. “The pain is still there, but I’m not as worried about it because the strength is there,” said LaFrentz. “I’ve got a much stronger leg now. I’m more confident moving on it. I’m still trying to get pain-free, but that might be a couple-year process. But at least I have a strong leg.” If he plays up to his potential, LaFrentz will be Boston’s starting power forward.

“Right now, I fully intend to have a 100 percent workload and do everything we’re doing as a team,” he said.