Mark Jackson has finally found a basketball team that will give him playing time. Unfortunately for him, it's just a one-night gig - playing tonight at the Garden for the New York All-Stars.

With NBA training camps opening in less than three weeks, Jackson, the league's all-time assists leader among active players, still is in search of a team for the upcoming season. He's in the same boat as two other New York playmaking legends, Kenny Anderson and Rod Strickland.

After trying unsuccessfully to catch on with Pat Riley in Miami, Jackson is considering an offer to play in Portland. But it's for non-guaranteed money, and he'd be third-string, backing up Damon Stoudamire and Jeff McInnis.

A driving force in the annual game that benefits wheelchair charities and pits New York products against other NBA players, the ex-Knick is looking at a 17th NBA season.

Even more than Anderson, 33, and Strickland, 37, age and luxury-tax implications are working against Jackson, 38, who played behind John Stockton in Utah last season. Jackson wanted to be reunited with Jeff Van Gundy, but the new Rockets coach decided this week to go with a younger player, Mike Wilks.

As for Anderson, the Heat recently offered him the veteran's minimum, worth just over $1 million. But he is seeking more money and turned Miami down. So Riley decided to fill the backup role with another New York product, Rafer Alston, who also will be one of Jackson's teammates tonight.

Among the teams looking for veteran help at point guard, and who may be interested in Anderson and Strickland, are Atlanta and Utah. Both players can expect hefty pay cuts wherever they land.