Free agent Bryon Russell is expected to sign a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the Washington Wizards today, helping the team fill its greatest position of need. Russell will take over at small forward for Michael Jordan, who plans to move to shooting guard unless he opts to retire in the next few weeks.

Russell's teaming with Jordan would be somewhat ironic since it was Jordan who authored the most painful sequences of Russell's nine-year career, all of which has been spent with the Utah Jazz. In 1998, Jordan hit the game-winning shot over Russell to seal the Chicago Bulls' sixth NBA championship. Early last season, in their first meeting since Jordan's memorable shot, Russell suffered a hairline fracture in his pelvis guarding Jordan, missed 18 games and struggled thereafter.