Hamstring injury could keep McLeod out vs. SuperSonics

A late-game injury could keep Keith McLeod, the Jazz's starting point guard, out of the lineup when Utah plays next.

According to the Jazz, McLeod sustained "a moderate strain of his right hamstring" on the final play of a 112-105 loss at Seattle on Sunday night.

As a result, the Jazz say McLeod "is not expected to play" when the Sonics visit for a rematch Wednesday night at the Delta Center.

Kevin O'Connor, the Jazz's senior vice president of basketball operations, said Monday night he is "concerned" about the injury.

"Hamstrings are so funny," O'Connor said. "Our doctor said he did tweak it. . . . We'll know more after an evaluation (today)."

For now, there are no plans to put McLeod on the injured list, which would having to sit out at least five games.

With last Friday's trade of Carlos Arroyo to Detroit, that leaves backup Raul Lopez and No. 3 point/combo guard Howard Eisley as the Jazz's only two healthy point guards.

A decision on whether or not to bring in additional help at the point — perhaps signing someone to a 10-day contract — will be made only after more is known about the anticipated length of McLeod's absence.

McLeod played 31 minutes Monday night, dishing six assists and scoring seven points on 2-of-7 shooting from the field. Lopez played 17 minutes, shooting just 1-of-4 from the floor, and Eisley played 22 minutes, shooting only 2-of-11.

The Jazz practiced Monday and will practice again this morning but had two days with no games between their two meetings with the Sonics. Seattle, however, visits the Los Angeles Lakers tonight before facing the Jazz again Wednesday.

CAMPBELL TALKS CONTINUE: The Jazz still are talking with the agent for veteran Elden Campbell, acquired from Detroit as part of the Arroyo trade, regarding a contract buyout.

If an agreement is reached, that would pave the way for the Jazz to waive Campbell — and clear an active-roster spot so big man Jarron Collins can be activated off the injured list.

The Jazz hope to have the matter resolved by Wednesday.

If Campbell were to clear waivers after 48 hours, he would be eligible to re-sign with any NBA team. It's been widely speculated Campbell would then re-sign with the Pistons.

But Detroit may have competition.

According to Monday's New York Post, the New Jersey Nets " 'might' have interest in (Campbell) if he's waived by Utah.

"But," Nets boss Rod Thorn told the Post, "it's a moot point right now; they haven't waived him."

"We might look at him," Thorn added, according to the Newark Star-Ledger. "It's something we have to look at, yeah."

MAILMAN CLOSE? From Monday's South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by way of the New York Times: "Asked about (former Jazz star) Karl Malone's desire to return to the NBA, agent Dwight Manley said: 'It's not looking promising. Hopefully in a week we'll have more clarity.' "

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E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com