Smith, the top pick in the 1995 draft, and Stackhouse, the third pick, both become free agents on July 1st -- given the unshaky premise of labor peace -- and will be seeking long-term deals in the eight-figure stratosphere.

Acquired by the Philadelphia 76ers just prior to the trading deadline, Smith may have to accept less in order to play with Iverson, his long-time AAU teammate as schoolboys in Virginia. According to Smith, the idea is not preposterous.

"It would be something I would have to talk about with my agent, though," Smith said. "That would be something we have to talk about when the time comes."

Stackhouse, dealt from the 76ers to Detroit in December after being declared the loser in a power struggle with Iverson, refuses to accept the notion that he will have to accept less, whether or not he stays with the Pistons.

"I've seen guys who can't play who sign for big money," the 6-6 guard told the Philadelphia Daily News. "It's not necessarily what you do in your three years, it's what your representatives do when they sit it front of the suits and ties."

Already in a steady decline since his rookie season, Smith's numbers have tumbled since arriving from Golden State. He has been shoved into a new system and at times has looked confused, as he did on Tuesday while being outplayed by New York's Larry Johnson.

Compounding problems was an abdominal strain he suffered that has forced him out of the lineup, preventing Smith from showing what he can do -- and the Sixers from evaluating him. He says he is much happier than he was in the NBA hell of Golden State, but he is not house-hunting just yet.

"I can't say whether it's going to be here or not right now," Smith said. "There's definitely a better situation for me with them. I'm happier playing basketball again and that's what I've been missing out on."

While Smith is happier, Stackhouse seems embittered. He has gone from a 20-point scorer for the Sixers to an inconsistent sixth man for the Pistons, as his lack of necessary swingman skills -- you know, ballhandling, shooting, dribbling -- have been further exposed.

"I'm not going to accept this role other than this year," he told the newspaper. "I'm looking forward to being a starting guard or small forward in the league."

That's what Stackhouse was with the Sixers, and deficiencies aside, he still got his 20 points more often than not. But it was Iverson who got the attention, and Stackhouse had a hard time handling that.

Apparently, he still does, even though the two are no longer teammates. After a home loss to Philadelphia on Wednesday in which Iverson scored a season-high 38 points, Stackhouse took a veiled shot at his former backcourt mate.

"They're doing a lot for him now," Stackhouse said. "It seems like every play now, they were having him come off of a screen. He isn't handling the ball that much, so their offense hasn't been as stagnant."

While Stackhouse has never got along with Iverson -- remember their scuffle in practice last season? -- Smith actually wants to play with Iverson.

"We've talked about it a lot," he said. "It's something we've talked about a long time, not just this year but over the years. We both know that it's also a business. But I'd love to be here and play with him."

But before Smith makes the decision to stay in Philadelphia -- and likely accept $60 million over seven years, rather than $80 million -- he should make sure his buddy is staying put as well.

Iverson, who can sign a contract extension this summer, snapped back at the criticism he has received through the media from Sixers coach Larry Brown, saying he would remember those barbs.

Iverson has positioned himself as somewhat of a power broker for the upcoming offseason. Having already run off Stackhouse and reducing his market value, he can use his good buddy Smith as a bargaining chip, helping the 76ers get the forward on the cheap, with the savings poured into his extension.

Or, he can make Brown pay for his harsh words by refusing to negotiate an extension, putting the Sixers in a "trade him or lose him" scenario. Then in the summer of 1999 -- with Stephon Marbury likely locked up long-term by Minnesota -- he would be the most attractive free-agent point guard on the market. Either way, Iverson's take figures to be nine figures.

Is it any wonder that David Falk is Iverson's agent? ...