The Pistons are unlikely to be sold until at least February, the firm handling the sale has informed potential buyers.

Citibank, which was hired by the widow of the late owner of the Pistons, Bill Davidson, to represent the franchise for the sale, informed potential buyers last week that the deal is unlikely to be completed until the NBA All-Star Game.

Among the potential buyers are Mike, Marian and Christopher Ilitch and their company, Ilitch Holdings Co.; the Beverly Hills financier Tom Gores; and a group headed by George Postolos, a former executive of the NBA and the Houston Rockets.