SALT LAKE CITY -- Dennis Rodman has played a mercenary killer in the movies and a rebounding machine for three NBA teams.Now, he's just playing coy. Rodman's agent, Dwight Manley, said Thursday that the mercurial star won't sign with any club before next week. Instead, he will appear on ''The Tonight Show'' in Los Angeles on Friday, where he is expected to hint at which teams he would be interested in joining. So goes the latest chapter in the flamboyant forward's week of confusion, which has included his retirement on Tuesday, a return to the game on Wednesday and a declaration on his web site that he wouldn't mind even playing overseas. Manley was in Salt Lake on Thursday for a press conference with another of his players, former Rodman wrestling opponent Karl Malone. But Manley kept one ear on the Mailman's words and another on his constantly ringing cellular phone, fielding what he said were inquiries from teams about Rodman's services. ''I've been getting a ton of calls,'' Manley said, though he declined to name specific teams. Though Manley wouldn't confirm it, Rodman seems to be waiting to see which teams strike out in the free agent market. The 37-year-old would then be a prized commodity for a number of contenders looking to add the final piece to their rosters. Manley flew to Toronto late Thursday to discuss a contract for another client, Doug Christie, with Raptors officials. After a Friday breakfast meeting in Canada, the agent said he would return to Los Angeles and speak with Rodman after he appeared on ''The Tonight Show.'' ''I was learning things about the situation from reading the papers this morning,'' said Manley, who said he last spoke with Rodman on Wednesday. It has been rumored since last season that Rodman would be interested in joining the Lakers, and living in Los Angeles would obviously suit his style. But the Lakers say they aren't interested, and Knicks general manager Ernie Grunfeld said Thursday that any talk of Rodman coming to New York was ''wild rumors.'' Manley indicated that interest in Rodman likely will only increase after Thursday's free agent-signing derby calms down. The Bulls may even want Rodman back in Chicago, but their status as a non-contender makes it unlikely. ''I've been reviewing my options,'' Rodman wrote in his web site message, ''and those options still include playing in the NBA this season with a contender. Chicago, New York and L.A. are all cities I'd like to play in. Playing overseas could be pretty cool, too.''hello there & you too
