Magic Johnson reportedly has signed a contract with the Los Angeles Lakers and will return to the NBA Tuesday night in a home game against the Golden State Warriors.
A Lakers spokesman, however, denied NBC-TV's report Sunday, which said Johnson's comeback would be officially announced Monday at a news conference in Los Angeles. The network cited unidentified sources in the league and close to Johnson.Lakers spokesman John Black said Johnson had not signed a contract and that no news conference was scheduled for Monday.
Asked whether Johnson would be in uniform Tuesday night, Black said: "I'll have to refer you to Mr. Johnson. It's his decision whether he comes back. We can't speak for him."
Johnson's agent, Lon Rosen, did not immediately return calls made to his home and office.NBC said the Lakers had worked out a way for Johnson to sell his 5 percent ownership of the team to make his comeback.
The Los Angeles Times, citing unidentified sources, reported Saturday that Johnson had agreed in principle to a contract that would pay him $2.5 million for the rest of the season.
Lakers forward Cedric Ceballos indicated Saturday night that Johnson likely would return to the team this week.
"Tuesday's the day, all indications prove that," Ceballos said before the Lakers game at New Jersey. "He's trying to sell his percentage. He's bought about a 100-something tickets for the game. I know he wants to play in that game and warm himself up for Michael Jordan."
Johnson, 36, initially retired in November 1991, after announcing he had the AIDS virus.
He retired from the NBA for a second time before the 1992-93 season because some players opposed his playing because he was HIV-positive. The virus causes AIDS.
Johnson has been non-committal about returning to the Lakers. However, he has practiced with the Lakers the past two weeks.
"It's always in the rumor stage until it definitely happens ..." Lakers coach Del Harris said Saturday night. "But I'm on record, coast-to-coast, as saying I've always been in favor of it and our team is in favor of it."
There also is seemingly little opposition from others in the league to his return. Everyone from Jordan to Charles Barkley is ready to welcome him back.
"I think now it's 3-4 years later," said Philadelphia's LaSalle Thompson, who worked out with Johnson daily until signing with the 76ers Jan. 11. "I think everybody's a lot more cognizant of this disease and knows a lot more about it. They know you don't catch it from casual contact like that. I think there'll be a lot more understanding than there was."
Jordan made his comeback with the Bulls last March after 17 months of retirement.
"I don't have any fears (of playing against Magic)," Jordan said. "I'm sure he's taking it into consideration. ... If he can deal with some adversity, I'm happy for him. I want what's best for him."
Chicago's Scottie Pippen said Johnson's HIV status is not an issue.
"I competed against him in the Olympics and it's not a concern to me," he said. "I know once you leave the game, you can miss it and I know he misses the competition."
Miami's Pat Riley, who coached the Lakers during the 1980s, said he and Johnson have discussed a possible comeback.
"It will be interesting to see if he's the only point power forward in this game," Riley said. "He's a great player. He's got something left he believes. And, he wants another run at it."
Barkley said, "That's fine with me. I've always said if he wants to play, he should be able to play."
Karl Malone, one of a few NBA players who suggested it was a good idea when Johnson retired for a second time before the 1992-93 season, said, "It's great for him if he wants to do it. And it's great for basketball."
Doctors said Friday that Johnson is fine and his health has been constant since 1992. But they do not know what kind of impact an NBA schedule would have because no one has conducted such a study.
If Johnson returns, he likely would play power forward. He led the Lakers to five NBA championships during the 1980s as a point guard. He also played on the United States' 1992 Olympic team that won a gold medal.
Guard Sedale Threatt said adding Magic to the Lakers' lineup would make them a contender.