Center of Uncertainty

Michael Olowokandi has been saying for weeks that he’s determined to keep his options open when he becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1. He says he has not ruled out re-signing with the Clippers and will listen to any and all offers.

There has been more than a little speculation that Olowokandi will end up with the Miami Heat, however. The Chicago Tribune reported last weekend that Olowokandi was all but set to sign with the Heat, pointing to his recent purchase of a home in the Miami area as evidence of his interest.

Olowokandi’s agent, Bill Duffy, discounted that notion, telling ESPN.com that Olowokandi merely wishes to live in Miami ( Florida has no state income taxes and many professional athletes establish residency there).

Meanwhile, Olowokandi has been a regular at Clipper games after spending almost a month away from the team to rehabilitate his left knee. He has been sidelined since undergoing arthroscopic surgery Feb. 3. He cannot yet run and the prospects for his playing again before the season ends April 16 are remote.

“The window is closing in terms of Michael coming back, but until I know for sure he’s not coming back, there’s always a possibility,” said interim Coach Dennis Johnson, who was speaking of the chance that Olowokandi could play again this season, but just as easily could have been talking about next season and beyond.

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Johnson on Elton Brand, who had 12 points and 13 rebounds Tuesday against the Utah Jazz, his first game after sitting out five weeks because of a stress fracture in his left leg: “Honestly, he looked like he had not missed a step as result of his injury. He was into the game and we played him a decent amount of minutes and, overall, I thought he played very well.”