A night after getting beat by the Chicago Bulls in their own building, the Boston Celtics got handed their worst defeat in franchise history by Michael Jordan and the Washington Wizards.

Jordan scored 21 points in 22 minutes as the Wizards beat the Celtics 114-69 Thursday night.

The 45-point loss topped Boston's previous worst of 42 points, a 128-84 loss at Portland on Jan. 4, 1977. It was the third-biggest margin of victory in Wizards history.

Steve Wyche of the Washington Post reports that the Wizards finalized their roster yesterday by waiving George McCloud and Bobby Simmons. This means that Ratko Varda will make the team even though he has seen limited minutes because of injury.

"We never really got a chance to see Varda," Wizards Coach Doug Collins said. "I feel bad for Bobby. When I told him this morning it was one of the hardest things I've had to do because he was one of the nicest people I've ever met -- and he's good."

McCloud?s release was expected. He was just acquired from the Nuggets in exchange for Chris Whitney but the Wizards never seemed like they wanted him on the roster. The trade was made to give Whitney a chance to play somewhere else.

The team spent most of Monday unsuccessfully trying to negotiate a buyout of McCloud?s salary this season. No agreement could be reached, so the team will pay the entire $2.6 million. After he clears waivers, McCloud will be able to sign with any team for the veterans minimum.

I have to wait two days to get cleared on waivers but I'm not stressed," McCloud told the Denver Post. "Whatever happens, happens, but I feel I will get picked up." Milwaukee, Boston and Orlando have expressed interest in McCloud, according to a league source.

Masrc J. Spears of the Denver POst reports: The Washington Wizards might be considering buying former Denver Nugget George McCloud out of his contract.

The Nuggets gave the Wizards McCloud and $500,000 on Thursday in exchange for point guard Chris Whitney. McCloud said he would meet with Wizards officials this morning in Washington.

The Wizards reportedly are considering buying McCloud out of the final year and $2.6 million of his contract. McCloud would lose a portion of his salary if he were bought out.

"We'll get to see (today) what they are saying face to face," McCloud said Sunday. "The likelihood of me taking a buyout is 99 percent that I won't."

Wizards officials have said only that they will meet with McCloud today. NBA rosters must be set by 4 p.m. MST on Tuesday. Washington must trim its roster from 17 to a maximum 15. Its bubble players include McCloud, swingman Bobby Simmons, forward Brian Cardinal and injured center Ratko Varda. The Wizards reportedly are learning toward keeping Simmons and Cardinal.

While, McCloud could get dealt in a one-for-one player deal, that is unlikely.

Sam Wyche of the Washington Post reports that league sources have said that several teams have interest in McCloud if Washington waives him.

Tarik El-Bashir of the Washington Post reports: It's looking more and more likely that Bobby Simmons and Brian Cardinal will make the Washington Wizards.

After yesterday's practice at MCI Center, Wizards Coach Doug Collins declined to discuss which players figure to survive the cut. Collins did, however, say he already knows which players he wants to retain.

"We'll know on cut day who is going to be on this team," Collins said.

The Wizards have until 6 p.m. Tuesday to trim the roster to NBA maximum of 15 players, meaning two players will be cut. Washington,

The two players that likely will be cut are George McCloud and Ratko Varda.

The Associated Press reports: The Denver Nuggets landed the veteran point guard they'd been looking for.

The Nuggets obtained Washington Wizards point guard Chris Whitney Thursday in exchange for swingman George McCloud and $500,000 cash.

McCloud makes $2.6 million in the final year of his contract. Whitney makes $3 million and has a second season at $3 million remaining..

McCloud did not play in the Nuggets' past two preseason games, although coach Jeff Bzdelik had said the swingman was in the playing rotation. The Orlando Magic had been trying to deal forward-center Andrew DeClercq to Washington for Whitney, the Denver Post reported.

"This trade addresses our need for a veteran point guard," said Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe. "We appreciate George's leadership and professionalism and we wish him well."

The AP reports that George McCloud has been traded to the Wizards for Chris Whitney.

Jerry Brewer of the Orlando Sentinel reports: The big scare over the little man proved anticlimactic.

Point guard Darrell Armstrong received the best possible news about his right shoulder Wednesday.

He underwent magnetic resonance imaging, and tests revealed no separation, no ligament damage and no torn rotator cuff. Armstrong has been diagnosed with a strained right shoulder.

The Magic's emotional leader is expected to miss the next 7-10 days, which puts his availability for Tuesday's season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers in question. His rehabilitation will consist of ice therapy, muscle stimulation and range-of-motion exercises.

"It's sore as you-know-what," Armstrong said as he left RDV Sportsplex.

Armstrong injured his shoulder in the second quarter of the Magic's preseason victory against the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night.

Because of this, Orlando faces roster decisions and with Thirteen players having guaranteed contracts, but Steven Hunter is out until at least December rehabilitating his right knee. The Magic want to add one more player to their opening-night roster, but they want to spend $500,000 or less on him.

The Magic have a salary-cap number of about $50.1 million right now. The organization does not want to go over $51 million because it fears the luxury tax.

If Burke is cut, the total would go back to around $50 million and Orlando could sign Rod Strickland, Mookie Blaylock, or Tim Hardaway to a one year deal and avoid the projected $51 million freshold.

Before Armstrong went down, the likely canadiate for the 14th spot was Pat Burke who would cost only 349,458 to the magic's payroll.

Now,with Armstrong's injury and Jacque's Vaughn's inconsistent play, things are up in the air for that 14th spot.

Steve Wyche of the Washington Post reports that Michael Jordan is going to court. The Wizards superstar is suing a woman, claiming she tried to extort $5 million from him.

Jordan admits to having an affair with the woman over ten years ago, but the suit claims that the woman has been demanding $5 million in "hush money".

In the lawsuit, Jordan admits to already paying the woman $250,000 to prevent the relationship from being made public. The woman, according to the lawsuit, has tried to get Jordan to pay her more money to keep the relationship quiet.

Marc J. Spears of the Denver Post reports that the Denver Nuggets are close to acquiring a point guard to help fill the starting role. Rumors have been swirling that the Nuggets may be getting Chris Whitney from the Washington Wizards.

The reported deal would send Denver?s George McCloud to the Wizards in exchange for Whitney. The Magic have also been trying to acquire Whitney with Andrew DeClercq as bait.

Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe declined comment. After Denver's 96-89 preseason loss to the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night, McCloud said he wasn't surprised about the rumors. "If it's true, I'm packing my stuff and heading to Washington," McCloud said. "There is nothing shocking in this league, especially given the trades that have already happened."