Dumars: No deal pending


By Chris McCosky / The Detroit News


Associated Press

The presidents meet: the Knicks' Isiah Thomas talks with former Pistons teammate Joe Dumars during first half.




Bucks vs. Pistons



Tip-off: 7:30 tonight, The Palace.

TV / radio: Channel 50 / WDFN 1130.


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NEW YORK — The Pistons, as has been widely reported for a week, have had discussions with the Atlanta Hawks about the possibility of a trade for power forward Rasheed Wallace.

But the prospects of the team actually landing the volatile, free-agent-to-be aren’t overwhelming.

“There is no deal,” Pistons President Joe Dumars said. “There is no deal pending, no deal is imminent. Have we talked to Atlanta? Yes, but I guarantee you that every team is talking to everybody right now.”

The trade deadline is Thursday, and the Pistons are still entertaining several offers for Chucky Atkins. Corliss Williamson, though, appears to be off the trading block.

One snag in the Wallace deal was that the Hawks did not want Atkins included in the deal, and the Pistons did. Atkins has two years left on his contract after this season. By losing Atkins contract, the Pistons would have the ability to get between $6 million and $7 million under the salary cap next summer — something they feel they must do in order to re-sign restricted free agent Mehmet Okur.

Atlanta, also looking to create cap space, doesn’t want players with multiple years left on their contract.

The Pistons could put together a workable package with players in the final year of their deals. Bob Sura ($6.2 million), Zeljko Rebraca ($4.2 million), Lindsey Hunter ($4 million), Darvin Ham ($825,000), Tremaine Fowlkes ($612,435) and a first-round draft pick.

The Pistons could have two first-round picks in the draft — their own and Milwaukee’s, if the Bucks make the playoffs.

That combination of salaries would get within the required 15 percent of Wallace’s $17 million contract, which expires after this season. But Dumars said he never put Ham or Fowlkes into the package.

There are other problems with that scenario, though. First of all, even if they dropped Wallace off the books in July, the Pistons would still only be $4 million under the cap — which probably wouldn’t be enough to re-sign Okur. And, if they traded five players, they would be left with just 10 players on the roster. They would have to sign two more.

To essentially rent Wallace’s services for 25 games, the Pistons would have sacrificed their depth.

The Pistons would hold Wallace’s Larry Bird rights, which would allow them to go over the cap to sign Wallace this summer. But, Wallace and his agent Bill Strickland have made it clear he plans to play in New York next season.

So, as of late Tuesday, the Pistons were apparently out of the Wallace sweepstakes.

Posted by keyindabox:

I dont know if you guys saw this but here you go.

Hawks GM: 'Anything is possible'

A source told the Times that the Knicks would have to offer Kurt Thomas, Othella Harrington, Dikembe Mutombo and another player, perhaps Mike Sweetney or Frank Williams, in order to work a trade for Wallace. In addition, another team might have to be involved for a three-way deal.


yes,read the postings, i already posted it.and thats too much to give up for wallace who will come here anyways after the season.




[Edited by - keyindabox on 02/18/2004 17:26:56]