Joe Dumars, is expected to add another player, ex-Atlanta Hawks guard Tony Delk.

Delk, who was waived by the Hawks on Friday, has to remain on the waiver wire for two days before the Pistons can claim him. If no team claims him by then, he can then sign with any team he wants - with the Pistons appearing to be his most likely choice.

The only thing that might stand in the way of the 32-year-old Delk becoming a Piston is if one of the teams far enough under the salary cap, or one with a large enough trade exception, chooses to pick up Delk - and the remainder of his $2.925 million contract this season -within the next two business days. Only two teams (Atlanta and Charlotte) are far enough under the cap to pick up Delk's contract, andthe Bobcats have no interest in acquiring him.

The Atlanta Hawks today waived veteran guard Tony Delk, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Billy Knight.

In his 10th season from the University of Kentucky, Delk played in one regular season game for the Hawks this year (Feb. 12 at Sacramento), scoring two points in seven minutes. Over his career, he has averaged 9.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 1.9 apg (.407 FG%, .340 3FG%, .771 FT%) in 522 regular season contests.

There were some last-minute overtures for free agent Al Harrington, including a call from the Chicago Bulls, believed to be one of the teams targeting a player sure to be one of the most coveted free agents on the market this summer.

And the New York Knicks have stayed in touch with Hawks general manager Billy Knight throughout the season in their pursuit of Harrington.

"Don't they say you can't believe everything you read?" Harrington said and then laughed. "The smart thing to do sometimes is to sit back and really evaluate a situation first and then make a move."

Harrington's agent, Andy Miller, said they would let the "smoke clear" from the trade deadline before discussing his client's options for the summer.

Hawks rookie Salim Stoudamire has been suspended for two games without pay for conduct detrimental to the team, Hawks coach Mike Woodson said Thursday.

Woodson said he did not want to make internal team business public, but when asked if Stoudamire's suspension had anything to do with his antics after being taken out of games, Woodson said it did.

Cleveland general Manager Danny Ferry isn't expected to make a drastic move today.

``I like coaching the players I have,'' Cavs coach Mike Brown said Wednesday. ``You never say never, but if we do anything at this point it would be a surprise.''

According to several league executives, the Cavs have been looking around for help at the guard positions. Their most tradeable player is Drew Gooden because of his value and the fact he's going to be a free agent.

But Ferry seems reluctant to trade him for just a guard, especially because he's been an excellent team player and has gotten more consistent as the season has progressed. With that in mind and a lack of salary-cap space or draft picks to use, the chances of a significant deal are slim.

The Cavaliers have reportedly discuss adding one of four guards; Derek Fisher, Tony Delk, Earl Watson and Keyon Dooling.

Hawks co-captain Al Harrington isn't the only player on the roster whose name is being bantered about as the trade deadline approaches. Veteran point guard Tony Delk could be in play before Thursday afternoon if a deal can be struck.

The teams most often mentioned include Miami and Cleveland, which are in need of veteran help in the backcourt and an expiring contract, both of which Delk would provide.

The Hawks could also decide to buy out Delk's contract, allowing him to sign with elsewhere for the remainder of the season.

Delk, who declined comment before Tuesday's game, has played in just one game this season. He logged a little over seven minutes in a loss to Sacramento.

And as of this morning, Al Harrington isn't going anywhere.

"I'm not even sweating that stuff," Harrington said after the Hawks wrapped up practice at Oakland University on Monday night in preparation for tonight's game against Detroit. "There's no need for that. I know who I am as a player and that I have a job to do for the next 32 games, whether that's in an Atlanta Hawks uniform or some other uniform.

"I'm a pro, first and foremost, so everything else has its place."

Harrington, whose name has been prominent in trade rumors since draft night, will be one of the most coveted free agents at season's end.

Despite what the NBA rumor mill says, his right knee is the picture of health.

Still, there is a dilemma for the Hawks, who figure to be a major player on the free-agent market this summer. They have to decide if and how Harrington fits into their future plans ? they have a surplus of small forwards with Josh Smith, Josh Childress and Marvin Williams all eager for minutes.

They also have to decide what price they are willing to pay for a player with a tag expected to exceed $45 million-$50 million over five years. Harrington's current deal pays him $6.8 million this season.

"Sometimes the best things in life [are] right in your face and hopefully Atlanta has the foresight to recognize that," said Harrington's agent, Andy Miller. "The Hawks have what 29 other teams are looking for and they've had the luxury of watching him play with them and getting to know him for almost two years now.

"I don't think Al has a peer in this free-agent class when you consider that here is a guy that gives you 20 [points] and eight [rebounds] every night, is just 26 years old and 6-foot-9. There are few players in the league who possess that particular combination of production and skills."

Like Antoine Walker last season, Al Harrington is looking to escape Atlanta before the trading deadline for a shot with a playoff contender.

Like Walker, who went to Boston at last season's deadline, Harrington is in the final year of his contract with little desire to return to the Hawks in the offseason.

Hawks co-captain Al Harrington does not have a knee problem. His ankle is fine. And that nasty case of plantar fasciitis that had been bothering him for weeks has finally subsided as well.

Internet rumors about a potential knee problem surfaced Monday when Harrington was sent, at the request of Hawks general manager Billy Knight, to a local doctor for an MRI on both his right knee and ankle.

Hawks athletic trainer Wally Blas? said it was simply a routine follow up to the same test Harrington had done this time last year when the Hawks were here.

But once word spread that Harrington was having the test the rumors started flying about a possible knee injury. All of which, Blas? said, is nonsense.

"All we wanted to do was get another MRI to compare with the one he got last year," Blas? said. "And we had the ankle checked out to see if there was anything there that might be causing problems in his knee or foot. But everything came back clean. In fact, it was better than we could have expected."

Harrington laughed at the rumors. He said he's actually felt refreshed lately.

Expect the rumors and speculation about Al Harrington?s future with the Hawks to heat up considerably in the next week. Harrington, who is struggling with a nasty case of plantar fasciitis in his right foot, had an MRI on his knee and ankle here in LA Monday.

He said he?s fine and that there is no cause for concern. But already the drama has kicked into high gear. Another NBA writer emailed me to let me know that he heard Harrington has a knee problem and that?s why he had it checked out. Not true.

If a team is asking a guy to have his knee checked out, and he was asked by the Hawks to have the tests, I?d imagine that?s a precautionary measure to make sure he?ll pass a physical if they?re intending to move him. This of course, is just me doing my part to contribute to the rumor and speculation. And Hawks coach Mike Woodson would say only that Harrington was having the tests, not why. But it?s a logical assumption at this stage of the game.