The Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers are closing in on a sign-and-trade deal in which the Hawks would send guard Stephen Jackson to the Pacers for forward Al Harrington.
Hawks vice president Dominique Wilkins said Sunday the two teams are in discussion.
"I don't know if it is complete," Wilkins said. "I'm waiting for confirmation from (general manager) Billy (Knight)."
The teams cannot complete the deal until Wednesday when a two-week leaguewide moratorium on trades and free agent signings expires.
Phone messages seeking comment from Knight and Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh were not returned.
It has been reported that the Hawks would sign the 26-year-old Jackson to a six-year contract worth $44 million, then trade him to the Pacers for Harrington.
"We're close and hopefully it will be done soon. I'm definitely hoping it works out," Jackson told The Indianapolis Star on Saturday from his home in Port Arthur, Texas.
Jackson averaged 18.1 points for the Hawks last season and would provide the consistent perimeter shooting the Pacers sorely lacked last season.
Harrington, who finished second in the voting for sixth man of the year last season, told Pacers president Larry Bird in a season-ending meeting that he would rather be traded than come off the bench again.
Bird made it clear on draft night that Harrington, who can play small and power forward, would not be starting next season for the Pacers.
"At his position is Ronnie Artest and Jermaine O'Neal, so if he's here, he'll be coming off the bench," Bird said.
The 24-year-old averaged 13.3 points and should have plenty of opportunities to start in Atlanta, which had only five players under contract before last month's NBA draft.
Jackson was an integral part of the Spurs' championship team in 2002, hitting timely 3-pointers to take pressure off Tim Duncan and David Robinson in the post.
Jackson would play the same role in Indiana, this time drawing defenders away from O'Neal and Artest, who like to operate on the low block.