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.