Chances are good Babcock would have moved Kukoc, considered to be somewhat of a throw-in from Philadelphia in the deal that brought Theo Ratliff and Nazr Mohammed to Atlanta, had he heard an offer he couldn't refuse.

Babcock knew it was more likely, though, he could get more for Kukoc in the offseason, perhaps packaging him with another player after the Hawks learned their spot in the lottery.

Everything has changed now. Kukoc, at 32 an elder statesman for the Hawks and the only Atlanta player with a birth date prior to 1971, is going nowhere.

"He finds people, he moves the ball, he obviously makes big shots," coach Lon Kruger said. "Those guys really feed off that. Because of that, they pass the ball and they move better without the basketball. He's had a big influence."

On the surface, the trade looks as if it's had little impact. Atlanta as 5-15 in the 20 games after losing Mutombo, compared to the 18-36 mark it compiled with the NBA's leading rebounder. Kukoc, however, is teaching his new young teammates not only the value of passing the ball but its necessity, too.

"I don't see myself as a scorer," the 6-foot-11 swingman said. "On nights when my shot is there, that's one thing, but I'm the guy to run the offense through. That's the role I've taken for myself. It's the way I like to play the game."

Kukoc's skills have allowed everyone on the floor to become a part of the halfcourt offense. The Hawks are no longer a team that relies solely on Terry and a rare offensive rebound.

"The offense is flowing, and we're making the extra pass," said forward Cal Bowdler, who is perhaps the best example of Kukoc's helping Atlanta realize that none of its young players should be relegated to the bench. "We're looking for guys who are open, and they're knocking down shots. That's a pretty major difference from earlier in the year."

Noteworthy

QUICK STUFF: The Hawks' starting lineup for Monday's loss to Detroit of Lorenzen Wright, Dion Glover, Nazr Mohammed, Brevin Knight and Jason Terry was their 22nd starting combination of the season. ... Forward Chris Crawford had season-ending surgery to remove bone spurs from his left ankle March 29.