General Manager Wes Unseld yesterday told the Washington Wizards' basketball operations staff that they would be retained at least until he begins an indefinite leave of absence from the team, which is scheduled to start after the June 26 NBA draft.

One day after majority owner Abe Pollin informed Michael Jordan he would not be rehired as president of basketball operations, Jordan's associates cleaned out his MCI Center office and the Wizards said they hoped to have the vacancy filled within six weeks, when Unseld's leave would begin. Pollin and President Susan O'Malley will conduct the search for Jordan's replacement, a team spokesman said.

Neither Jordan nor Pollin would comment yesterday.