Harrington, Wells open to possible return to Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS -- Peja Stojakovic's departure could provide an opening for Al Harrington to return to the Indiana Pacers.\nHarrington, who played the first six years of his NBA career with Indiana, is an unrestricted free agent who played the past two seasons with the Atlanta Hawks.\n"I know there has been some interest there in Indiana," Harrington said of a possible return to the Pacers. "I've always considered Indiana home. To come back, it would be like I never left."\nThe Pacers also reportedly are interested in Sacramento's Bonzi Wells, an Indiana native who played at Muncie Central High School and at Ball State.\n"Anytime you have an opportunity to come home, it's a great opportunity," said Wells' agent, William Phillips. "Initially, I mentioned the Pacers to Bonzi, and based off his reaction, I could tell he was pretty excited."\nPhillips told The Star Press of Muncie that Wells, who averaged 13.6 points a game last season, wants a long-term contract and that at least six other NBA teams have offered him a contract, including the Kings.\nHarrington, who was drafted by the Pacers out of high school on the first round in 1998, still has his parents and brother living in Indianapolis and remains a close friend of former teammate Jermaine O'Neal.\nBy adding Shelden Williams on the first round and Solomon Jones on the second round of this year's draft, the Hawks may be more willing to let go of Harrington, who could be packaged in a sign-and-trade deal without cutting into their available money under the salary cap. Atlanta also could use a point guard, and the Pacers are expected to try to trade either Jamaal Tinsley or Anthony \nJohnson.\n"The ball is still in (the Hawks') court," Harrington told The Indianapolis Star for a story Monday. "They can still sign me if they choose to."\nBefore going to Atlanta, Harrington was used mainly as a backup behind Ron Artest, who was traded last season to Sacramento for Stojakovic. Last week, Stojakovic opted out of the final year of his contract with Indiana and agreed to a five-year, $64 million deal with the New Orleans Hornets.\nThe 6-foot-9 Harrington averaged a career best 18.6 points a game last season, along with 6.9 rebounds.\nAtlanta general manager Billy Knight, a former Pacers player and executive, has remained noncommittal about his intentions with Harrington.\n"Everybody knows how Billy moves," Harrington said. "He takes his time."\nCharlotte, Chicago and Toronto also have enough room under the salary cap to make a major offer to Harrington or another premier free agent. Harrington said he doesn't have a salary goal for his next contract.\n"Whatever's fair," he said. "My biggest thing is I want to be in position to win again, be in the playoffs and start competing for a championship again"