ANTSY TEAMS BRACE FOR MAJOR SHOPPING SPREE.

Byline: SCOTT WOLF  NBA 

The NBA's trade deadline is Thursday, and despite the blockbuster Toni Kukoc deal, most of the major activity is supposed to commence this week.

So let's take a look around the league, and see which phone lines are burning as GMs try to improve before the playoffs, or just get rid of players they can't stand.

The biggest player - literally - on the block is Hawks center Dikembe Mutombo, and the Suns are more than interested.

Phoenix has reportedly offered forwards Tom Gugliotta, Shawn Marion and overpriced center Luc Longley for Mutombo. Phoenix players, including Jason Kidd, have gone on record against the breakup of the team, but the Suns need a center and management may not be able to pass up Atlanta's desire to clean house.

The Hawks are also seriously considering releasing troubled guard J.R. Rider, who has worn out his welcome in half a season.

The Knicks are also growing testy after the knee injury to Marcus Camby, and have called Boston about Danny Fortson, who has already been traded to Toronto and returned to the Celtics this season.

Another player on the Boston roster the Knicks would like is point guard Kenny Anderson, especially with Charlie Ward injured.

The problem for New York is that outside of Allan Houston and Latrell Sprewell, few teams are interested in their roster, and Houston is considered untouchable.

There's also more than a few GMs thinking that Kukoc could still end up elsewhere by Thursday. The Sixers appear genuine in their desire to re-sign Kukoc after the season, but plenty of teams are still making calls to gauge the possibility of getting the veteran forward.

The Lakers might fit that profile, except Kukoc cannot deal. Players who are traded cannot be dealt again in a three-way deal for at least two months. And the Sixers don't want free-agent-to-be Glen Rice, who wants to play in a warm-weather city.

The Timberwolves remain interested in Kukoc, and are also trying to grab John Starks from the Bulls.

The Nets are also trying to find a big man, and are offering guard Kendall Gill and center Jamie Feick. Miami offered Duane Causwell for Gill last week, but New Jersey isn't giving players away.

And just when everyone seemed to be on the block, the Cavs began shopping Shawn Kemp. Rumors of him becoming a Laker are ridiculous, given his salary, weight and attitude, but the Hawks and Sixers are considering taking a chance on the moody forward.

Washington center Ike Austin should also find a new home this week, with the Pistons and Bucks (for Robert Traylor?) the two main suitors.

--Big bust: The Grizzlies are believed to be shopping center Bryant Reeves, once considered the cornerstone of the organization. But with guards Mike Bibby and Michael Dickerson flourishing and Shareef Abdur-Rahim a bona-fide star, Reeves has seen his role - and playing time - reduced.

Bibby and Dickerson are also going to need new contracts soon, and Reeves' $10 million per season is viewed as a hindrance for the cash- strapped Grizzlies.

``That's one reason why I think you're going to see this team maybe take a step backwards before it can go forward,'' forward Doug West said. ``Both Michaels will demand the maximum (money) and the question becomes, how do you keep them?''

--Paper trail: Kukoc knew he was about to be traded after finding a piece of paper in the Bulls' locker room outlining the potential trade scenarios facing Chicago.

It seems a writer wrote down all of the trade possibilities on paper, and Bulls coach Tim Floyd circled the legitimate offers.

``We had a meeting right away after that,'' Kukoc said, ``and the paper was there (as evidence).''

--Next big move: Wizards president Michael Jordan is getting ready for another change in the organization, according to Newsweek.

Jordan ``is itching to oust the notoriously awful Wizards dancers,'' according to sources close to the team.

The magazine quoted Jordan telling a source at a recent Wizards game: ``Getting the right players is hard. Finding cheerleaders who can count on time shouldn't be.''

The dancers, who are paid around $50 per game, have heard the rumors and expect to be fired soon.

``They fired (former coach) Gar (Heard) after a big win. They'll probably fire us after one of our better performances,'' said one dancer.

--Sonic bust: It's business as usual when Seattle players are fighting with coach Paul Westphal, but things got bizarre when the players' agents began trading jabs.

The agent for Sonics reserve forward Rashard Lewis said Seattle should trade starting forward Ruben Patterson for the long-term future of the Sonics and Lewis.

``Ruben is playing great basketball, but Rashard has a greater upside than Ruben,'' agent Carl Poston said. ``That is untapped talent. You want to give it every opportunity. It is not a criticism of Ruben, but with the kind of future they have with Rashard, maybe a trade of Ruben is better. Rashard could be around for the next 10 or 12 years. It's time for that egg to hatch.''

It didn't take long for Patterson's agent, Dan Fegan, to fire back: ``We are talking about the agent who advised Rashard to forgo college and enter the draft because his egg was ready to hatch. As I recall, Rashard was drafted in the second round, so I guess that egg speaks for itself.''

SCOTT WOLF'S TOP 10 AND NO. 29

1. Portland (41-11)

Del Harris acting as consultant for Dunleavy. Think he has ideas to stop Kobe?

2. Lakers (40-11)

Juwan Howard? Shawn Kemp? Maybe Glen Rice isn't so bad after all.

3. San Antonio (33-18)

Spurs to hire P.J. Carlesimo . . . as TV analyst.

4. Indiana (34-16)

So good at home, courtside Pacers fans rip team for not winning on road.

5. Miami (31-19)

Riley said he's not interested in John Starks. So when's the trade?

6. Sacramento (31-20)

Kings boast NBA's best offense and fourth-worst defense.

7. New York (30-19)

Knicks might make an offer to Celtics for Kenny Anderson.

8. Seattle (32-21)

In-house feuding begins just as trade deadline approaches.

9. Phoenix (31-19)

Suns begging management not to break up team, but no one's listening.

10. Utah (30-19)

Spanks Kings just as everyone starts bashing team again over age.

29. Clippers (11-41)

Jim Todd. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Dennis Johnson. Gee, wonder who won't be back next year.

BY THE NUMBERS

5,002 - Career assists for Portland's Scottie Pippen, making him the 31st player to reach that plateau.

51 - Consecutive games Toronto's Vince Carter has scored in double figures, a team record.

11.7 - First-quarter scoring average of Orlando's John Amaechi in his first three games after the All-Star break.

11 - First-quarter assists for Toronto's Doug Christie in the Raptors' 91-70 victory over New York.

8 - Blocks by Miami's Alonzo Mourning in the Heat's 107-88 defeat of the Clippers.

SIGN OF THE TIMES

All-Star Weekend wasn't just about the league's best players putting on an impressive athletic exhibition for the fans.

Clippers reserve center Keith Closs was there too.

While in an elevator at a San Francisco hotel, Closs bumped into Bill Russell.

``Wow, Bill Russell,'' Closs told a friend. ``This was one of the greatest shot blockers of all time . . . back in the '40s.''

Russell didn't miss a beat. ``The '40s?'' he said. ``You ever heard of the '60s?'' When asked if he thought Closs was kidding, the former Celtics legend said, ``There's history, and there's ancient history.''

RUMOR MILL

The real reason the Bulls traded Toni Kukoc last week was to try to reclaim the league's worst record - and No. 1 draft pick. Management had become restless after the Bulls made a brief surge when Kukoc returned from an injury, and didn't like the idea of slipping down the lottery ladder.

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Box: SCOTT WOLF'S TOP 10 AND NO. 29 (See text)