Suitors waiting on McDyess

McDYESS On the market?

AUBURN HILLS, MICH. - Pistons coach Michael Curry sighed deeply before acknowledging it was a concern when asked whether he was worried about the possibility of Antonio McDyess going to Boston.

A week after McDyess, Chauncey Billups, and Cheikh Samb were dealt to Denver for Allen Iverson, McDyess is expected to be bought out of the two years remaining on his contract today. Assuming the 2001 All-Star is not claimed on waivers, he would become an unrestricted free agent Wednesday. The Celtics are expected to be among the long list of teams interested and can offer a $2.3 million mid-level exception - although being defending champs does give the franchise a feather in its cap.

"I saw that Boston and Cleveland were interested," said Curry before the Celtics beat the Pistons, 88-76, last night at the Palace of Auburn Hills. "It's always a concern that those guys can pick him up. They're great teams, teams we have to compete against here in the East.

"The reality of it is that I've always thought you should approach coaching the way college coaches do. Whatever roster you have, that's what you have. The college coaches go into a season with injuries and poor play and can't sign any other players. You got to find a way with your roster to get it done. That's where all my energy and focus is."

Despite reports that McDyess is expected to return to Detroit, 30 days must pass before he can re-sign. Also, the most Detroit can offer him is $1.5 million.

"If Dice is bought out of his contract, we'd love to have him back," Pistons president Joe Dumars said.

The Celtics' bench has center Patrick O'Bryant and big men Leon Powe and Glen Davis. Boston, however, hasn't replaced the veteran shoes of 6-foot-11-inch P.J. Brown. Acquiring McDyess could fill that role, which would be a welcome move by the players.

Still, to sign McDyess, the Celtics either would have to waive or trade a player to open a spot on their 15-man roster.

Neither McDyess nor his agent, Andy Miller, could be reached for comment.

"[McDyess] would definitely help us out" said Celtics guard Ray Allen. "I've been a big fan of his for as long as he's been in the league. I wouldn't mind playing with him."

McDyess and Celtics forward Kevin Garnett share the same agent in Miller. Garnett said he would "root for" McDyess becoming a Celtic.

"[McDyess] has been one of the premier players in our league for a while," Garnett said. "He can definitely help this team. I definitely wouldn't be away from it. I would definitely root for it, if anything.

"Dice and I are very cool. Obviously, we're competitors. We don't spend a lot of time [together]. But when I do see Dice, I make it my business to speak. I consider him family with Andy and all of us. [Miller's clients are] tight-knit. We're family . . . I do consider him family and I always worry about his well-being."

When asked if he was confident McDyess would return to Detroit, Curry said: "I wish I was confident. It would make my life a lot easier. But I don't know what is going to happen with the situation."

Stuckey sidelined
Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey experienced dizziness and felt lightheaded at the end of the first half and didn't return . . . Comcast analyst Donny Marshall was not at the game because of a family matter and WEEI radio analyst Cedric Maxwell replaced him.

Marc J. Spears can be reached at mspears@globe.com