Now that Wallace is a member of the Hawks, the Pistons, who didn't have the necessary assets to acquire him from the Blazers, have intensified their pursuit.

Chances of Joe Dumars capturing his prey for Detroit are better than good. Before I boarded a flight back to New York yesterday I was advised the Pistons' VP was playing tag with Billy Knight and the Hawks' GM was it. The incoming owners clearly aren't thrilled at the prospects of being represented by Rashweed.

The Pistons have the critical goods Atlanta wants - a spare No. 1 pick and enough contracts (belonging to Bob Sura, Lindsey Hunter, Zeljko Rebraca, Darvin Ham and Tremaine Fowlkes) that expire at season's end which almost equal Wallace's $17 million salary.