"There's interest, mutual interest, I would say," Wallace's agent, Bill Strickland, said Wednesday. "I would say the Spurs have a job to do."

Wallace, considered to be the top free-agent target for a Spurs team in desperate search for a big man, fielded similar calls from Orlando, Cleveland, Boston and elsewhere in the first few minutes of free agency.

All of the above teams, including the Spurs , can make Wallace approximately the same offer, a short-term deal starting at the mid-level exception, expected to be worth around $5.6 million.

The Spurs have long coveted the 6-foot-11 Wallace, who will turn 35 in September, as a perimeter shooting big who can stretch the floor for Tim Duncan.

With the money sure to be more or less equal, Wallace will spend the next several days, or longer, deciding where he'd most rather spend at least the next season of his life. The first day a free agent can sign a contract is July 8.

Boston is widely considered the frontrunner for Wallace's services, due in large part to a personal pitch from Celtics All-Star Kevin Garnett.

Though he is at the top of their list, the Spurs are casting a wide net in their hunt for a big fish.

According to a league source, the Spurs also put in calls to Antonio McDyess, Wallace's soon-to-be former teammate in Detroit, as well as Dallas forward Brandon Bass during the opening throes of free agency.

The Spurs are also believed to have interest in Orlando center Marcin Gortat, who is a restricted free agent. After taking on Vince Carter's pricetag in a trade last week, however, the Magic are not expected to match any substantial offer Gortat receives.

"I think we're going to be able to fill our needs," Spurs general manger R.C. Buford said.

Elsewhere, another veteran big man - former Spurs forward Fabricio Oberto - was preparing to hit the free-agent market as well. Oberto, dealt through Milwaukee to Detroit as part of last week's Richard Jefferson deal, was waived Wednesday by the Pistons.

Once he clears waivers July 8, Oberto would be free to sign with any team. By NBA rule, he would have to wait 20 days before becoming eligible to re-sign with the Spurs .

Events in the free-agent market between now and then are likely to figure heavily on whether the Spurs make a push to bring back Oberto.