THOUGH it appears to be nothing more than a vicious rumor, Wisconsin bailbondsmen have, nonetheless, been put on full alert following a report Anthony Mason may soon sign with the Bucks.

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports: The Heat continues to pursue Cleveland free agent center Chris Gatling, but is apparently reluctant to pay him much more than $1 million. The Cavs would be receptive to trading Gatling for a draft pick and all or part of the Heat's $3.3 million trade exception.

The Heat also has expressed interest in Jazz free agent center Olden Polynice.

Ex-Heat center Rony Seikaly, who hasn't played in the NBA since 1999 but is mulling a comeback, will work out with Heat players this week with team officials watching, agent Steve Kauffman said. Seikaly, 36, also might do the same with Magic players in Orlando.

Don Cronson, Anthony Mason's agent, said there's a chance Mason will remain unsigned when camps open next Tuesday. Mason, unlikely to return to the Heat, has told Cronson he will sit out indefinitely rather than accept the $1 million veteran's minimum.

Cronson said he has considered European options, but Mason prefers the NBA.

Milwaukee has offered the Heat Scott Williams or Greg Foster for Mason, but the Heat appears disinterested.

Several Milwaukee Bucks players have already congregated at the team's practice facility in St. Francis.  Interestingly, there has been another NBA player in attendance and he's not one of their teammates. Sources close to the team said Anthony Mason, the unsigned free agent from the Miami Heat, has also been participating in the workouts.  Don Cronson, Mason's New York-based agent, confirmed in a telephone call Wednesday that his client was indeed working out with the Bucks.  Mason's surprising appearance in Milwaukee this week is a clear indication he wants to become a Buck and the Bucks covet him.

Phil Jasner of the Philadelphia Daily News reports that the Sixers may be done making moves this summer. The recent reports that Philly and Miami were talking about a trade for Anthony Mason is "old news". Sixers general manager Billy King, in an informal meeting with reporters, said he contacted the Heat more than six weeks ago.

Despite earlier rumors the Sixers were interested in reacquiring Coleman from the Charlotte Hornets, King said his latest information is that Hornets vice president Bob Bass has no current interest in trading Coleman.

For the moment, that leaves the Sixers searching in-house for a starting power forward. Players looking for the position include Matt Geiger, Robert Traylor, George Lynch and Jerome Moiso.

King also said it was unlikely free agents Kevin Ollie, Pepe Sanchez and Rodney Buford would be re-signed.

There is only two weeks before training camp starts, and All-Star Anthony Mason is still looking for a team to represent in 2001/02.  While Philadelphia and Milwaukee are both perfect suitors for his services, and both have also shown interest, there are problems.  The Bucks have offered to send Scott Williams to Miami for Mason, while the 76ers have rebuffed the Heat's request for point guard Eric Snow.

Miami meanwhile are still interested in Cavs forward Chris Gatling, whom they hope to acquire via sign and trade for a contract starting at $2M, which would allow them to remain under the tax threshold.  Cleveland would receive a draft pick and a portion of Miami's $3.2M trade exception acquired in the Tim Hardaway/Dallas trade.

Other key free agents yet to sign contracts are John Stockton, Rod Strickland, Marc Jackson, Isiah Rider, Jimmy Jackson, and A.C. Green.

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports: Veteran free-agent center Chris Gatling said Friday he's speaking only with the Heat and is ``75 to 85 percent sure'' he will join Miami. If Gatling joins Miami, it will mark his third stint with the Heat.

``I'm concentrating on the Heat, and they're high on me,'' Gatling said. ``They've made an offer. We should know something by next week.''

Miami could offer more than 1 million only through a sign-and-trade with his former team, Cleveland. The Heat can send all or a portion of its $3.3 million trade exception to the Cavaliers -- plus, perhaps, a second-round draft choice.

In other Miami Heat news, Free agent Anthony Mason still isn't close to finding a team. The Heat hasn't been interested in proposed sign-and-trade scenarios, including one involving Milwaukee's Scott Williams.

Also, Lari Ketner, Ira Newbill and Sam Mack are among journeymen who have been working out in Miami. . . . Ed Pinckney signed a multiyear extension as Heat TV analyst.

It's been nearly two months, and the rumor is still alive: the Milwaukee Bucks are going to acquire Anthony Mason.  In exchange for Mason, the Bucks are offering veteran Scott Williams to Miami. But Heat officials aren't totally enamored with the 33-year-old, injury-prone Williams and his $4.65 million contract. They'd prefer another player, and that's why the Bucks and Heat are trying to enlist a third team to enter into the equation.