The Pistons play the Philadelphia 76ers tonight, and coach Kuester said he would go with the players who were avavlible. Tension is at an all-time high for the struggling Pistons. The Stones, who are a dismal 21-38, are in the process of being sold… that is, if there is a team to buy!

The time line of the projected sale means that Detroit Red Wings and Tigers owner, Mike Ilitch will not become a triple threat. Ilitch scored an exclusive agreement to negotiate the sale of the team, but the deal expired after one month without a deal reached.

Davidson and Citibank said if they could not find a buyer willing to pay an excess of $400 million for the Pistons, they may have to wait until the economy rebounds or sell the team to a foreign investor. The Pistons have already sparked the interests of Middle East investors, making many fans worry that the Pistons will have to relocate.

Artest told CBSsport.com that he does not plan on resigning with the Lakers or with any other NBA team once his current contract runs out in 2014. Artest will be 35-years old and has plans to try out for an NFL team:

“God willing, after my NBA career, God willing I’m still athletic enough – which I’m trying to take care of my body as best as possible and be prepared for this day, for this tryout of an NFL team… It’s a fantasy of mine. It’s an opportunity because I’m athletic. So if that fantasy can be fulfilled, and if it’s something that can really be reached as far as a goal, I’m going for it.”

While Artest plans to continue in the athletic field after the NBA, other basketball veteran Ben Wallace wants to go to law school. The Detroit Pistons center told Yahoo Sports, “That’s my ultimate goal. It’s always been one of my dreams. I think I can argue a pretty good case. I think I can convince a couple of people to see things my way.”

Wallace has played 15 seasons in the NBA and just signed a two-year contract with Detroit worth $4.3 million. “I know my time is limited as far as being a player,” Wallace said. “That’s something I’ve already accepted and come to peace with.”

Both Artest and Wallace have won an NBA Championship. Wallace in 2004 with the Pistons and Artest this past summer with the Lakers.

Ironically, these two players who are both taking different paths post-NBA were at the center of one of the NBA’s biggest controversies, the 2004 Menace at the Palace.

Illitch’s purchase of the Pistons would not only make him a dominant force in the sporting world but also in entertainment. Illitch owns Olympia Entertainment, which includes such facilities as: Fox Theatre and Cobo Arena.

While the Pistons currently play at the Palace of Auburn Hills, Ilitch has not made it a secret that he wants to move the team back to Detroit. The Pistons left the city in the 1970′s, and the Detroit Red Wings are also looking for a new arena. Detroit Mayor Daive Bing hopes they return, “We continue to be excited about the possibility of the Detroit Pistons returning to Detroit, which is nationally recognized as a destination for professional sports. The deal is not done, but we remain optimistic.” Bing is also a former NBA player.

Ilitch first expressed interest in purchasing the Pistons back in early August when current owner Karen Davidson reviled that the selling of the team meant there was no guarantee the team would be staying in Michigan.  Karen took over ownership of the team when her late husband Bill Davidson died in March 2009.

Bill Davidson and Mike Ilitch had an ongoing rivalry as business leaders in Detroit.  In June, The Palace filed a lawsuit accusing Ilitch Holdings of taking employees and proprietary information.

“When I read in the paper there was the chance that this great sports town could lose one of its professional sports franchises, I just didn’t see how we could let that happen,” Ilitch said. “The Pistons, just like the Red Wings, Tigers and the Lions, have a rich and storied tradition in this community.”

While Ilitch has led the Red Wings to four Stanley Cups and a Tigers World Series appearance in 2006, he has also come under criticism for fans for not paying enough attention to both of his teams.

“We believe we could bring a lot to the table that could be tremendously positive for the Pistons franchise, the NBA and the fans of this community,” Ilitch said.

Ilitch bought the Red Wings in 1982 and the Tigers a decade later in 1992. The talk of Ilitch buying the Pistons comes at a time where the Red Wings are looking for a new home. The team’s lease at Joe Louis Arena expired in July. While many are speculating that the Red Wings could move to the Palace of Auburn Hills, Ilitch has been adamant about keeping the team in Detroit in the past.

Illitch said he has notified the Pistons of his interest in buying the team and would be a “local and engaging owner.”

The question is…. if Ilitch buys the Pistons will April in the D become Ilitch in the D?

The team in question remains a mystery. There are four NBA teams up for sale: Atlanta, Golden State, Memphis, and DETROIT. Despite the Pistons’ history in the Motor City, many are speculating a move to Las Vegas because of the Detroit’s struggling economy.

Karen Davidson put the Pistons on the market after the passing of her husband Bill Davidison, who died at the age of 86 on March 13, 2009. Davidson has said she would like to sell the Pistons to a local owner, but it remains weary if Detroit can still support four sports teams.

Under Davidson’s ownership, the Pistons won their only three NBA championships in 1988, 1989, and 2004.