'Big' a priority at NBA trading deadline
NEW YORK, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- Rasheed Wallace and Erick Dampier could be the big men at the center of a big deal as the NBA's trading deadline approaches.
A handful of Eastern Conference teams are looking at the possibility of moving deep into the playoffs, where they would need a 7-footer to deal with the size of the Western Conference.
Among those teams looking to swing a trade before Thursday's deadline of 3 p.m. EST are the Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks, who continue to restructure their roster on almost a weekly basis.
Sunday, Knicks president Isiah Thomas made his third trade in less than two months, moving forward Keith Van Horn in a deal that netted forward Tim Thomas and center Nazr Mohammed. He reportedly is trying to land either Wallace or Dampier to fortify his frontcourt.
Wallace, who is making $17 million in the final year of a six-year, $80 million deal, was sent from Portland to Atlanta last week. The Hawks are willing to move him again, but only if they get expiring contracts in return.
The Knicks, who have climbed into the Eastern Conference playoff race since last month's acquisition of star point guard Stephon Marbury, have just one player that fits the bill in forward Kurt Thomas.
Senators acquire Bondra from Capitals
OTTAWA, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- The Ottawa Senators Wednesday acquired right wing Peter Bondra from the Washington Capitals.
A five-time All-Star, Bondra was second on the Capitals with 21 goals and third with 35 points.
Washington received minor league center Brooks Laich and a second-round pick in 2005 for Bondra.
"This is an extremely difficult trade for the organization," Capitals general manager George McPhee said. "On the ice, Peter played his heart out for the Washington Capitals and off the ice he had time for everyone. We worked hard to make sure that he went to a team that could win the Stanley Cup this year."
McPhee traded his other star Jaromir Jagr to the New York Rangers last month for Anson Carter in a cost-cutting move.
Selected by the Capitals in the eighth round of the 1990 draft, Bondra is the franchise's all-time leader with 472 goals and 825 points in 961 games.
Bondra is also the franchise leader with 73 game-winning goals, 137 power-play goals, 32 shorthanded goals and 19 hat tricks. Bondra, Jagr, Mario Lemieux, Joe Sakic and Steve Yzerman are the only active players to score at least 400 goals with one team.
Shayne Corson back in NHL with Stars
FRISCO, Texas Feb. 19 (UPI) -- Three-time All-Star left wing Shayne Corson is back in the NHL.
Ten months after leaving the Toronto Maple Leafs, Corson will try to help the Dallas Stars reach the postseason.
The Stars signed Corson Wednesday to a contract for the remainder of the season.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
The 37-year-old Corson passed his physical and will begin practicing with the Stars on Friday. He will not be activated until he gets into game shape.
Dallas (27-22-10-0) is in the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, one point ahead of Nashville.
A veteran of 17 NHL seasons, including 9 1/2 with the Montreal Canadiens, Corson has 268 goals and 415 assists for 683 points in 1,139 games. He also has 38 goals and 48 assists in 135 career playoff games.
Corson played with Toronto from 2000-03, signing with the Maple Leafs as a free agent. However, he left the team last April 15 after recording just seven goals and 15 points -- both career lows - in 46 games.
Mavericks assistant Harris to coach China
CLEVELAND, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- Dallas Mavericks assistant coach Del Harris will be coaching China in the 2004 Olympics.
Harris received approval Wednesday night from the Chinese Sports Ministry, continuing his international coaching career with a huge challenge and a huge center in Yao Ming.
Harris heard Wednesday from Houston Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson, who has frequent contact with the Chinese Sports Ministry in matters related to Yao, the Rockets' 7-5 center. He revealed the news after Dallas' win at Cleveland.
Harris previously admitted he had negotiations with Chinese basketball executives about taking the reins of the national team but made it clear no deal had been signed. Harris said his duties with the Mavericks would not interfere with his new position with the Chinese Basketball Association.
The Chinese failed to reach the quarterfinals at the 2000 Olympics and finished 12th at the 2002 World Championships in Indianapolis.
China lost to South Korea in the 2002 Asian Games but avenged that defeat at last year's Asian Championships to secure an automatic Olympic berth.
