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."

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.

Marc Stein of the Dallas Morning News reports that Dallas will talk to Popeye Jones this week. "We are talking to Popeye," said Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. "We think he could help us."

While the Mavericks pursue Seattle free agent Rashard Lewis with their $4.5 million mid-level exception, they could offer Jones their $1.4 million exception. Cuban adds that the Jones talks are completely independent of the Lewis situation.

Cuban also said he plans to discuss the troubled Shawn Kemp with fellow Mavericks executives Don and Donnie Nelson before deciding whether to contact Kemp, who was waived Tuesday by Portland. Dallas has also targeted Utah's Bryon Russell as a fallback to Lewis and still expects to re-sign restricted free agent Eduardo Najera.

Jay Mariotti of the Chicago Sun-Times thinks Michael Jordan should walk away. Between the injuries, the age and the demeaning role as a bench player, Mariotti thinks MJ?s story will not have a happy ending. Which is sad, given the exquisite climax he spun four years ago in Salt Lake City.

Mariotti claims, ?A midlife crisis isn't easy to mask, especially when it strikes the greatest basketball player ever. If MJ truly has reached a meeting place in his mind, why is he resuming elaborate workouts in hopes of returning for another season? Isn't the Big Four Oh staring quizzically at his forehead wrinkles? Hasn't his problematic right knee been surgically repaired; isn't the left one still worrying him a bit? And don't the suspect Washington Wizards have only a fair-to-small shot of making the playoffs, with the possibility they won't be as good as the incrementally improving Bulls?

It's his life, of course, his career. And my guess is, he'll pull off more astounding acts at 40 than any other big-ticket athlete, however sporadic. Yet just as I didn't want to watch Jordan get hurt last season, I don't want to watch him get old this season.?

Steve Wyche of the Washington Post reports that Hornets guard George Lynch is unhappy with management's reluctance to give him a contract extension and he wants to be traded to the Washington Wizards.

"I have family there, I played high school ball in that area [Flint Hill], I have a lot of ties to the Washington, D.C., area," Lynch, 31, said in a phone interview yesterday. "Plus, I'll play for Michael Jordan. I know he would appreciate a guy like me."

Sources indicate that both teams have taken part in trade talks but no deals have been reached.  But with Washington hoping for enough cap room to sign a maximum free agent contract in the offseason next year - holding out on a Richard Hamilton extension in the process - it is unknown if the team would extend on Lynch's current contract which runs through season 2003 if acquired.

Hornets Vice President of Basketball Operations Bob Bass acknowledged that Lynch has indicated a desire to be traded.

Steve Wyche of the Washington Post reports that Michael is still making up his mind on whether or not he will continue as a player in the NBA for season 2002-03. In his first remarks since a knee injury ended his season, Jordan said he has not decided whether he would return to the Washington Wizards.

"I've let everyone know, even the coaching staff, to prepare as if I'm not [playing]," Jordan, 39, said on ESPN's "Sunday Conversation" last night with commentator Jack Ramsey. "If I do play, I'll be an added attraction to the situation. It will be a last-minute decision. The one thing I don't want to do is go into the season dealing with the pain I dealt with last year. I'm really being very cautious and making sure I can play a full season."

In the interview, Jordan did not discuss his health, conditioning or the possibility of coming off the bench if he plays next season. He did say that he is about to begin a rigorous conditioning regimen, playing games and training on back-to-back days to see how his body responds.

If Jordan does not play, he has not committed to rejoining the Wizards' front office or reassuming his role as part owner. However, several sources close to Jordan and the team have said that Jordan will return to his role as president of basketball operations. His status as part owner remains uncertain due to league rules requiring him to divest himself from the team in order to play.

"I'll have some position with the game of basketball, through management or with my kids or through coaching," Jordan said. "I've said I would never coach but I said I would never come back and play again."