As usual, Pistons President Joe Dumars is conducting his business beneath the national radar. Thus, the Pistons have not been mentioned among those teams on the short list for free agent Juwan Howard.

But, Dumars confirmed, they are.

The Pistons are among the front-runners to land Howard, the 6-foot-9 power forward from Michigan.

Dumars would not comment, but acknowledged that the Pistons were in the hunt along with Orlando, Minnesota and the Los Angeles Lakers.

"I want to win," Howard said in an interview with Sporting News radio. "That has always been my goal since Day One, since I stepped foot in the NBA. I have had an opportunity to win at all levels, college and high school. Now, I am in a position that I can make a decision to go anywhere I want to go, and I am excited about that."

Howard, who averaged 18.4 points and 7.6 rebounds with the Nuggets last season, is 30 years old and entering his 10th NBA season.

"I am not pinpointing any particular date, or targeting any particular date," Howard said. "I am just going to continue to evaluate each situation and weigh the pros and cons."

The Pistons originally offered Denver a sign-and-trade package that was believed to have included Zeljko Rebraca, Hubert Davis, Chucky Atkins and perhaps either Cliff Robinson or Corliss Williamson. The Nuggets rejected that offer.

Dumars now is offering the full mid-level exception, which would pay Howard $4.9 million next season. Over six years, that deal would pay $38,587,500.