LANDOVER -- As Kevin Duckworth pulled on his game-day uniform for the first time since being suspended Feb. 3, the 7-foot center was asked what kind of minutes he anticipated last night.
Duckworth laughed uneasily.
"Minutes? I'm not anticipating any minutes," Duckworth said. "I anticipate practice minutes. Practice is going to be fine with me."
Duckworth did play last night -- eight minutes in all -- but didn't score in the Washington Bullets' 109-92 loss to the Houston Rockets.
Duckworth's strained relationship with the Bullets entered another chapter when he was activated after a six-game suspension without pay that cost him roughly $186,000.
Duckworth has no weight clause, but the contract he signed in Portland says he has to be physically fit to play basketball. He can be suspended for as long as a week if he's not.
He was examined Thursday by a doctor who said that Duckworth was ready to play.
Nash said Duckworth can be suspended for up to a week again if he's deemed not to be in shape. Duckworth had the option of being evaluated by a doctor a week ago, but Nash said that the player was in Portland at the time.
Duckworth said he is ready to play.
"I feel as physically fit right now as I have all year," Duckworth said.
Asked if he expects to be back next season, Duckworth said: "I don't know if Mr. Nash wants me back next year. It bothers me because people are making it worse than it really is. If I'm back next year, I want to play."
Duckworth said he has had little communication with the front office since the suspension.
"I don't have to be their friend. They don't have to be my friend," Duckworth said. "I haven't talked to [Nash]. If he wants to say something, I'll listen."
To make room for Duckworth, the Bullets waived guard Brian Oliver, who signed a 10-day contract Feb. 5.