Jordan Still Wants to Start

Michael Jordan isn’t ready to give up his spot in the starting lineup just yet.

Jordan said Monday he’ll keep an “open mind” about the possibility of playing this season as a backup for the Washington Wizards, but he would prefer to be on the floor at tipoff.

“Obviously there’s been some conversation in terms of what my position will be,” Jordan said. “I do have an open mind ... but for the most part I go in with the idea that I want to play minutes, important minutes.”

*

Kurt Thomas was arrested in Greenwich, Conn., on a charge of assaulting his wife, and New York Knick teammate Latrell Sprewell arrived at the team’s practice facility with a broken bone in his right hand. He will be out at least six weeks. Thomas’ prospects were not clear. The Knicks also signed former UCLA guard Toby Bailey.... Hakeem Olajuwon has a serious back injury, and the Toronto Raptors are awaiting a decision on whether he will retire.... The Detroit Pistons will trade forward Rodney White to the Denver Nuggets for a first-round draft pick and forward Don Reid and center Menk Bateer, a Nugget official said.... Indiana Pacer forward Austin Croshere has a broken right foot that will sideline him throughout the exhibition season.... Restricted free-agent guard Bonzi Wells was re-signed by the Portland Trail Blazers to a multiyear contract.