Team sources confirmed that the Warriors are in discussions with Webber, who played his rookie season with the Warriors during the 1993-94 season. There is some belief the two parties are even close to reaching an agreement. A different source confirmed that Webber and Warriors coach Don Nelson, who separated on bad terms in 1994, have talked to each other in order to put the past behind them.

Warriors executive vice president of basketball operations Chris Mullin has said a big man is on his wish list. The Warriors are considering if Webber — formerly a freak of an athlete who thrived in Nelson's offense as a rookie — can fill the need.

There is concern about Webber's ability to keep up with the Warriors pace. Knee surgeries and 14 seasons in the NBA robbed him of his explosion. Plus, he hasn't played all season, so his conditioning is a question mark. There's also the issue of chemistry, one of the Warriors' strengths. Webber is reputed for his run-ins with coaches and his habit of pouting when things don't go his way.

But one would think him signing with the Warriors would mean the Warriors' apprehensions were addressed.

Webber has also drawn interest from the Los Angeles Lakers, Detroit Pistons and Denver Nuggets, according to sources. Webber has said he wanted to player for a contender, which would seem to make the Pistons his front-runner. But the Detroit News reported that Joe Dumars, the Pistons' president of basketball operations, refuses to buy out one of his current players to make room for Webber. So Webber's only chance of playing in Detroit is if Dumars can make a trade — if Dumars believes Webber understands he'll be a role-playing reserve. The Pistons acquired Webber from Philadelphia last season and did not re-sign him in the offseason.

The Lakers, another team considered a serious contender, have an open roster spot and have also reportedly offered Webber a one-year contract for the veteran minimum which for Webber would be $1.2 million. Like Detroit, the Warriors have a full complement of 15 players. To make room for Webber on the roster, the Warriors might need to eat a contract. They have only one player on a non- guaranteed contract: rookie guard C.J. Watson, whose second 10-day deal expires on Monday.

But Watson has been impressive in his three weeks with the team "We're feeling good about him," Mullin said Thursday so they might instead waive guard Troy Hudson, who's out for the season after hip surgery.

If both sides sign off on a deal, it would complete a nearly 15-year odyssey for Webber and the Warriors.

Webber was selected No. 1 overall by the Orlando Magic in the 1993 NBA draft, but he was traded within the hour to the Warriors, who gave up the No. 3 selection (Anfernee Hardaway) and three future first-round picks for the former Michigan star.

Webber won the NBA's Rookie of the Year award in 1993-94, averaging 17.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game and becoming the first rookie to total at least 1,000 points, 500 boards, 250 assists, 150 blocks and 75 steals in his first year. The Warriors went 50-32 before being bounced in the first round of the playoffs by the Phoenix Suns.

But Nelson and Webber clashed during the season over the former's treatment of the latter, and in June, Webber exercised an opt-out clause in his 15-year, $74 million contract and became a restricted free agent.

On Nov. 17, 1994, the Warriors dealt Webber to the Washington Bullets in exchange for Tom Gugliotta and three replacement first-round choices. They didn't make the postseason again until last season.

Asked Thursday if he and Webber would be able co-exist if they worked together again, Nelson wouldn't answer directly.