Dee Brown missed the first 75 games of last season with a torn quadriceps tendon, but returned in time for the playoffs and remarkably was one of the Orlando Magic's top outside shooters.

Now retired from the NBA, Brown is contemplating a similarly stunning return to the Magic.

With small forward Mike Miller out three weeks with a deep bone bruise and a severely sprained left ankle, the Magic have held preliminary talks with Brown and veteran Chris Mullin about joining their roster. Like Brown, Mullin, 38, is out of the NBA for the first time following a long career.

"My whole purpose of retiring was to stay retired and I never had any plans of coming back, but we've had some discussions that have been interesting," said Brown, 34. "Obviously they'll make the final decision, but it's sort of up to me now. I just don't want to come back if I can't contribute to the team."

Magic general manager John Gabriel is trying to gauge just how long Miller will be out before he commits to a veteran for the rest of the season. He could opt to sign a player out of basketball's minor leagues to a 10-day contract. His mission is to try and find a proven scorer who can soften the blow of losing Miller's 15.8 points a game.

"I'm trying to give Mike some time, but it looks like he's hurt enough to necessitate something," Gabriel said. "There's still a chance he can bounce back, but he's probably going to need ample time to rest."

Orlando (33-30) defeated Toronto 92-79 on Sunday without Miller, but the need for a second scorer behind Tracy McGrady was obvious. The Magic, who trail Philadelphia by a half-game for the fifth seed, host the Phoenix Suns Wednesday.

Brown still is on the Magic's payroll and has served as a special assistant to the Magic's basketball operations department since retiring in August. He worked with Magic rookie Jeryl Sasser in training camp and has attended many of the team's practices. He said he has played little basketball, but has stayed in shape.

"This is a big stretch for the team because we can still get that homecourt advantage for the playoffs," Brown said. "Really, there's no downside (to a possible comeback). I know all of the guys already and have their respect. I already know all of the plays. I'm on the payroll and I'm still a part of the team. It just comes down to whether or not I can be a factor."

A native of Jacksonville and an Orlando resident the past nine years, Brown thought he was fulfilling a lifelong dream last season after signing with the Magic. But his storybook return to Central Florida melted into a nightmare during an intrasquad scrimmage on the final day of training camp. Brown chased down Darrell Armstrong on a fast break and jumped to try and block the shot. The quadriceps tendon in Brown's left leg tore as he left the ground, and he clung to the rim to avoid a nasty landing.

Three surgeries to repair the tear and the subsequent scar tissue cost Brown the first 75 games of last season. He scored double figures in two of the final seven regular-season games, but the impact of his fearless shooting and veteran savvy were not felt until the playoffs.

He hit 6 of his 13 3-pointers in the four-game series against Milwaukee, none bigger than the four he sank in the 121-116 victory in Game 3. But he was a spectator in the final game, controversially suspended for leaving the bench during a brief scuffle involving other players in Game 3.

Having missed 39 games in 2000 and 75 in 2001 and enduring five surgeries on his knee and quadriceps tendon, Brown reluctantly walked into head coach Doc Rivers' office and retired last August. But the time off seems to have done wonders for his psyche and body.

"My body just wasn't feeling good (in August) and I didn't want to be in a situation where I was in and out of the lineup," said Brown, who averaged 11.2 points a game in 11 NBA seasons. "My body needed the rest. I only did things one way during my career, and I just didn't want to cheat the team. You can't see Darrell Armstrong diving in the stands for loose balls and come back with anything less than 100 percent.

"I've had a chance to rest my body and my legs and I feel great now. I haven't felt this good since training camp of last year. I just want to get in some good workouts now and see how my body responds.''

Mullin played just 20 games and averaged 5.8 points a game last season with the Golden State Warriors. The 6-foot-7 guard averaged 18.2 points during his 16 NBA seasons.