Chris McCosky of the Detroit News reports that the Pistons are waiting for Pepe Sanchez to arrive from Argentina. They are hoping the red tape will be cleared up and he can join the team on Thursday.

"Everything is done on the basketball side of things," Pistons vice president of basketball John Hammond said Monday. "He's got his clearance from the team in Spain and from FIBA. His NBA contract can be approved. We're just waiting for his visa."

Getting a visa is a complicated process. The Department of Immigration and Naturalization has approved Sanchez?s papers. According to Hammond, the papers will be sent through overnight mail from INS to the attorneys in Birmingham, who will then send them to Sanchez in Bahia Blanca, Argentina. Sanchez will then take the papers to the American consulate in Buenos Aires to obtain his visa. "That sounds like a big, big process, but we are hoping he can still get here by Thursday," Hammond said.

Sanchez, expected to be the team's third point guard, will have some catching up to do. "He's behind, but I am not worried about that," Coach Rick Carlisle said. "All of our stuff has been faxed over to him. He has gotten all of our offensive stuff and defensive coverages. The guy is a knowledgeable basketball player. I am sure he's studying his butt off."