O'Connor strongly indicated Tuesday that he will bring in another point guard before the 2004-05 season opens one week from today. The identity of that guard? O'Connor himself doesn't know.

"I'm not saying we definitely will do something. I want to get a little better read on the situation first," O'Connor, the Jazz's senior vice president of basketball operations, said one day after Lopez felt an alarming discomfort in his surgically repaired right knee. "I don't think it's an emergency . . . but now it becomes a little bit more urgent."

That's partly due to the inconsistent play of tryout guards Keith McLeod and Jason Miskiri, each of whom has more turnovers than assists in the preseason. McLeod, owed $250,000 whether he makes the team or not, scored seven points with three assists and three turnovers Tuesday in the Jazz's 97-86 loss to the Sixers, while Miskiri had five points in seven minutes. The Jazz also have tried Raja Bell as a temporary fix, but that's not considered a long-term solution.

"I don't know if there is a long-term solution out there," O'Connor said. "The first thing we have to do is find out what's going on with Raul."

What went on Monday was a disheartening setback for the Spaniard, who had not practiced with his teammates for more than two weeks, since feeling his knee ligaments shift during the Jazz's preseason scrimmage. Lopez, who spent the time trying to strengthen the ligament, felt fine throughout most of the team's practice.

And then? "Then something happened. I don't know what," Lopez said. "I felt good, and then [it hurt]. . . . I'm disappointed. I want to play. I want to be out there as soon as I can, but I have to wait."

The Jazz agree. "We'll take every precaution," O'Connor said, starting with sending Lopez back to his orthopedic surgeon in Utah for a new examination once the team returns home. The team also ordered another MRI last week, which turned up no evidence of any damage.

"The good news is it didn't go out on him or anything. But he's had some pain again," said O'Connor, who also must determine by Sunday whether to guarantee the fourth season of Lopez's contract or allow him to become a free agent next summer. "He'll get all the time he needs."

O'Connor doesn't have that kind of time, however. He is already paying attention to roster situations around the league, watching for potential help as other teams begin cutting their rosters to the 15-player limit. He wouldn't comment on possible pickups, but there are some obvious candidates around the league rumored to be headed for the waiver wire.

The Pistons aren't expected to keep both Smush Parker and Horace Jenkins, for example. Memphis probably doesn't have room for both second-year guard Troy Bell and second-round pick Antonio Burks. And though unlikely because of the money involved, there has been speculation around the league that a number of veterans - former Jazz guard Howard Eisley of Phoenix, Dan Dickau of Dallas and Moochie Norris of New York perhaps among them - may be offered buyouts by their current teams.

The Jazz also have a couple million dollars of salary-cap space, should O'Connor decide to pursue a trade. Or maybe the Jazz will stick with McLeod.

"We're in a position where we will continue to look around," said O'Connor, who two years ago added Mark Jackson as a fill-in reserve. "We had hoped Raul would be ready, but now we'll consider all our options."

pmiller@sltrib.com

Point Problems?

With Raul Lopez's status for the season in doubt, the Jazz may go looking for another backup point guard. Here's the preseason averages of those in camp prior to Tuesday's game:

PlayerGames Played Minutes Assists Points

Carlos Arroyo5 22.8 6.2 12.0

Keith McLeod5 19.6 3.8 6.8

Jason Miskiri2 7.0 .5 0