One prominent Western Conference guard said he could imagine himself "backing off" defending Johnson, which raises the question of the game's legitimacy, no doubt a serious problem for the league.

And one general manager, who asked that his name not be used, suggested that Johnson step aside, as the league and players would have to enter unchartered legal waters if they ever came to forcing the issue.

Tate George, the reserve Nets guard who has the same agent as Johnson, Lon Rosen, argued that the N.B.A. and its players ought to seek a higher plane than what he considers mostly baseless fear.

"This is historic what he's doing and we're all part of it," said George. "People ought to be proud for the opportunity to play against him."

The 33-year-old Johnson has said that he is returning to the Lakers as a player to make a statement for all people infected with H.I.V., the virus that causes AIDS. "The doctors have said there is no chance of me giving it to anyone," he said. "So there is no risk."

Other than a statement welcoming Johnson's return, the N.B.A. commissioner, David Stern, has avoided public comment on this issue. Efforts to reach him were fruitless.

The league, under advice by Dr. David Rogers of Cornell University, has implemented several precautionary measures on AIDS since Johnson's shocking announcement Nov. 7, 1991, that he had tested positive for H.I.V. He retired immediately from the Lakers, but played in the N.B.A. All-Star Game last February and the Olympics last summer in Barcelona, Spain, before rejoining the Lakers for their preseason training camp in October.