The Washington Wizards appear to have moved closer to acquiring free agent small forward Bryon Russell, who is expected to be in Washington on Thursday, sources with knowledge of the situation said today. Though he does not have an official visit planned, an informal meeting with team officials is likely, sources said.

Russell reportedly spent Tuesday and today in Chicago, meeting at least once with potential teammate/boss Michael Jordan, the man who earned Russell a measure of fame when Jordan hit the championship-winning jumper over him in the 1998 NBA Finals when Jordan played for the Chicago Bulls and Russell for the Utah Jazz.

The Jazz may have found a solution to their need for a backup point guard: Bryon Russell.
   
No, the nine-year Utah veteran won't play the position. But Russell's free-agent status, and his ongoing negotiations with the Washington Wizards, could prompt a trade between the two teams that would fill the Jazz's most pressing roster vacancy. Presumably, such a deal would bring point guard Tyronn Lue or, less likely, Chris Whitney to Utah to back up John Stockton next season.
   
A sign-and-trade involving Russell, ruled out two weeks ago after the Jazz signed free-agent forward Matt Harpring, is again a possibility, Jazz vice president of basketball operations Kevin O'Connor said Wednesday. O'Connor, on his way to Indianapolis for the World Basketball Championships, which begin today, did not comment on specific trades but said, "It's something we're taking another look at."

Steve Wyche of the Washington Post reports that the Wizards are close to landing Bryon Russell. It could cost them one of their point guards, though.

The Wiz have been talking with Russell for more than a week and will probably see him again when he visits Washington on Thursday. Sources close to the negotiations have said a deal is unlikely on Thursday because the Wizards are discussing a sign and trade with Russell?s former team, the Jazz.

The trade would send either Tyronn Lue or Chris Whitney to the Jazz to back up John Stockton at the point guard. In return, Russell can get a little more money than the $1.4 million exception that the Wizards have to offer, and the Wizards get a starting small forward.

Since the Wizards already have 14 players under contract, they would rather swap players than add another guaranteed contract to their books. Also, with the acquisition of Larry Hughes and Juan Dixon this summer to help bolster their point guard position, Lue or Whitney is expendable.

If a sign-and-trade cannot be reached, the source indicated that Russell likely would sign a one-year deal for Washington's $1.4 million, league-allotted exception and occupy the Wizards' final roster spot.

Frank Hughes of the News tribune reports that the Supersonics are looking into a contingency plan in the event that Rashard Lewis does not return. On Monday, the Sonics brought in free-agent forward Popeye Jones to interview him in case Lewis chooses to join the Dallas Mavericks. Jones has also talked with the Mavericks. It appears as if Jones will go to the team that doesn?t get Lewis.

"He has proven that he can rebound, and rebounding was one of our problem areas last season," Sonics general manager Rick Sund said.

The only way the Sonics can sign Jones is if Lewis leaves, which would free salary space. If Lewis goes to Dallas, then the Sonics could offer Jones a salary starting at $1.4 million - and it would keep the Sonics under the luxury tax threshold.

A source with knowledge of Jones' situation said that Jones, a nine-year veteran who has averaged 7.8 rebounds a game over his five-team career, is not interested in money as much as he is in the security of a multiyear deal. "A couple years ago we tried to bring him here," Sonics coach Nate McMillan said. "We still have an interest in him."

Also, the Sonics are speaking with free-agent swingman Bryon Russell, though it is less likely Russell would join the team because he will probably sign with Washington. Russell has not visited the Sonics, but has been courted by the Wizards, which is why Jones is available.

Free agent Bryon Russell has been talking with the Washington Wizards about a possible multiyear contract with a starting salary of $1.4 million, according to the Washington Post.
     
The former Jazz forward would add a much-needed veteran to the Washington team, but "nothing is imminent," the Post quoted agent Dwight Manley as saying.

Jimmy Smith of the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that George Lynch unhappy in the Big Easy. He wants a contract extension, and since the Hornets aren?t offering, he now wants to be traded to Washington.

Lynch will earn about $2.6 million this season and has 3 years remaining on the 6-year contract he signed with the Sixers. "We just feel that Mr. Lynch's business has not been addressed in a forthright manner, and the team doesn't seem interested at this point in talking about contract extensions," said Kenton Edelin, Lynch's Alexandria, Va.-based agent.

Edelin said that Hornets VP Bob Bass had talked to the Wizards about trade possibilities, but a deal couldn?t be worked out. Lynch declined interview requests, but told The Washington Post last week he'd like to play for Michael Jordan. "I know he'd appreciate a guy like me," Lynch said.

Meanwhile the Wizards could lose interest in Lynch altogether. They are reportedly talking to Utah free agent swingman Bryon Russell and may be close to a deal. If that happens, Washington would have no interest in acquiring Lynch.

"It's not even the money, to tell you the truth," Lynch told The Post. "Yeah, I'd like to get a raise, but if not, I'd rather play for a team that would appreciate me."

Utah, as of this writing, hasn't re-signed any of its free agents. The Jazz did add Calbert Cheaney, for the veteran minimum, and Matt Harpring, for $4.5 million per for four years. They could have had Donyell Marshall back for $8 million per for three years. Wouldn't. Never came higher than three years, $15 million. Want to guess why?

"I actually thought they would try a little harder," Marshall said Monday from Chicago, where he took basically the same offer Utah gave him from the Bulls. "Things were said that just didn't happen. There were a lot of things said straight to me that wasn't done ... it wasn't about the money. I don't want to say anything bad about Utah. I enjoyed playing there. But some things were promised that weren't done."

Bryon Russell and Michael Jordan have been linked since Jordan, then with the Chicago Bulls, made the game-winning jump shot over Utah's Russell in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA finals. Now, in a potential ironic twist, the two could be teammates, or at least members of the same franchise if Jordan, 39, retires.

The Washington Wizards have been in steady talks with Russell's agent about signing the free agent to a multi-year contract, sources with knowledge of the situation said yesterday. Russell, who would fill the Wizards' need for a starting small forward, is believed to be discussing a deal that would pay him a starting salary of $1.4 million -- Washington's league-allotted salary exception.

Dwight Manley, Russell's agent, said Washington is one of a handful of teams he has spoken with regarding Russell. Nothing is imminent with the Wizards, Manley said, but Russell would be a very good fit in Washington.

Steve Wyche of the Washington Post reports that the Wizards have been in contact with Utah free agent Bryon Russell. Sources said Washington is trying to use their $1.4 million exception to sign Russell to a multi-year contract.

Dwight Manley, Russell's agent, said Washington is one of a handful of teams he has spoken with regarding Russell. Nothing is imminent with the Wizards, Manley said, but Russell would be a very good fit in Washington. Russell, 31, would add a much-needed veteran to the Wizards' young front court, which likely will have second-year players Brendan Haywood starting at center and Kwame Brown or Etan Thomas at power forward.

The nine-year veteran could also prove valuable as a mentor if they Wizards are unable to resign Popeye Jones. Other than Jordan, Russell also would be the team's most playoff-seasoned player, having competed in 96 postseason games, where his career scoring average (10.8 points) exceeds his career regular season average (9.2).

With Russell, Coach Doug Collins could develop rookie small forward Jared Jeffries more slowly. Second-year pro Bobby Simmons is the only other small forward under contract. Small forward Rod Grizzard, chosen in the second round, remains unsigned.

Should Washington sign Russell, it would all but end any possibility of a trade with the New Orleans Hornets for small forward George Lynch. This week, Lynch said he wanted to be traded to Washington because of the Hornets' refusal to re-open talks on a contract extension. The Wizards and Hornets had discussed a deal but talks have cooled.

With Raul Lopez's playing status for this season still up in the air, the Jazz are stepping up their search for point guards.
     
Four-year veteran Damon Jones was in Salt Lake Wednesday to visit with Jazz officials. Kevin O'Connor, Jazz vice president for basketball operations, said the meeting was just a chance to talk to Jones.
     
"We wanted to get an up-close and personal look at Damon," O'Connor said. "We didn't know him as well."
     
The 6-foot-3 Jones played for Detroit last season, averaging 5.1 points and 2.1 assists in 16 minutes per game. He shot 40 percent from the field, 37 percent from the three-point line. He's played for six NBA teams.