Wallace, who had played for Detroit since midway through the 2003-04 season, met with Celtics ownership, coach Doc Rivers, and All-Stars Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen yesterday in Detroit, the source said.

A former Simon Gratz star, Wallace reportedly didn't make a decision during the meeting.

Wallace averaged 12 points and 7.4 rebounds last season for the Pistons, and has also played for Washington, Portland and Atlanta during his 14-year career.

The Celtics, who went 62-20 last year and were eliminated by Orlando in the Eastern Conference semifinals, are a year removed from their first NBA title since 1986.

Wallace was reportedly offered the midlevel exception, which is worth about $5.6 million per year.

Recruited in high school by legendary North Carolina coach Dean Smith, Wallace led the Tar Heels to the 1995 Final Four before declaring for the NBA Draft after his sophomore season.

Noteworthy

Ron Artest has accepted a 3-year deal worth $18 million from the Los Angeles Lakers, ESPN.com reported.

The free-agent forward reportedly met with Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss in Los Angeles, and had spoken with coach Phil Jackson.

Artest, one of the NBA's top defenders, averaged 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists for the Houston Rockets last season.

The Rockets had hoped to compete for a championship by adding Artest to a roster that already included All-Stars Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. Instead, injuries kept Yao and McGrady on the bench as the Lakers eliminated the Rockets in the Western Conference semifinals.

McGrady will miss the beginning of next season while recovering from a knee injury, and Yao is out indefinitely after his third surgery to his left foot.

The Lakers are coming off their 15th NBA title.

In a text message to ESPN, Artest wrote:

"I am happy to say I am goin' to L.A."

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey met with the free agent in Las Vegas.

The 6-8 Ariza averaged 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists for the Lakers last season.

The Rockets could use a versatile forward with a perimeter touch after losing Artest to Los Angeles.

* Ben Gordon told a Chicago radio station that the Bulls never made a contract offer even though general manager Gar Forman claimed re-signing him was their No. 1 priority.

"I mean they didn't pursue me at all. They didn't even make an offer so it was pretty much a one-man race," Gordon told ESPN Radio 1000 in Chicago.

Gordon agreed to a 5-year deal worth $50-plus million with the Pistons on Wednesday after leading the Bulls in scoring the past four seasons. Under league rules, that deal can't be announced until next week.

Gordon and the Bulls had tried to negotiate long-term deals the past 2 years. He wound up accepting a 1-year tender offer last year and enjoyed one of his best seasons, averaging 20.7 points, and tied a career high by shooting 45.5 percent while leading the Bulls to the playoffs.

* New York Knicks president Donnie Walsh says he will consider giving more than a 1-year deal to a free agent, following a report that he plans to do that with Jason Kidd. ESPN.com, citing sources close to the process, reported that the Knicks would offer a 3-year deal to the point guard. *