Mike Wise of the New York Times reports that according to high-level league and Wizards team officials ? and barring a last-minute physical setback ? Jordan is planning to play for the Wizards this season and perhaps in 2002-3, depending on his and the team's progress.

Yesterday a person familiar with Jordan's comeback attempt said Jordan might delay the announcement of his return beyond mid-September, his original deadline. But, the person added, the suspense "probably has less to do with `if' than `when' " Jordan will return.