WASHINGTON Basketball legend Michael Jordan will come out of retirement to play for the NBA's Washington Wizards, the **** Washington Post **** reported in Monday's editions.

Jordan, who has been part owner and president of basketball operations of the Wizards since January 2000, was to announce his decision as early as Monday, the **** Post **** said, citing a National Basketball Association source.

The team announcement will come via a news release, the source told the newspaper, adding that Jordan will not make a public statement regarding his return until Oct. 1, a day before the team begins training camp, the **** Post **** said.

The announcement had been expected last Thursday, but was postponed after the Sept. 11 hijack attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, said Reuters.

At 38, an advanced age for basketball players, Jordan will sign a contract for the 10-year veteran minimum salary of $1 million, the **** Post said****. In his last year in the NBA, Jordan earned $36 million.