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SALT LAKE CITY -- The season ended Monday night for the Utah Jazz after losing Game 5 to the Los Angeles Lakers. Now, they head into an offseason of uncertainty.
It was just two years ago that Jazz Fever stretched deep into may after a dramatic run to the Western Conference Finals. This year it was a different story.
The team had just 48 wins and an early exit in the NBA Playoffs. Injuries played a factor, but all the players agree that this season was a disappointment.
"We just never really got into a good rhythm, never reached our potential, so it was kind of frustrating," Deron Williams said.
As a disappointing season comes to an end, a busy offseason begins. With nine players who can become free agents, the only certainty is change.
Carlos Boozer can opt out of his current deal on June 30th, and has said in the past that he plans to do so. "I'm going to talk to the team, and I'll talk to my agent and my family and then we'll make a decision from there," he said.
But Boozer also has made it clear he wants to stay in Utah.
| Possible Jazz free agents | Status |
|---|---|
| Carlos Boozer | player option |
| Mehmet Okur | player option |
| Kyle Korver | player option |
| Paul Millsap | restricted |
| Jarron Collins | unrestricted |
| Brevin Knight | unrestricted |
| Ronnie Price | unrestricted |
| Morris Almond | unrestricted |
| Kyrylo Fesenko | team option |
I asked him "Do you feel personally that you have unfinished business here in Utah?"
He said, "Absolutely. I came here to win a championship and that's what I want to do. I think we have a team that can accomplish that goal if we're healthy."
Just like Boozer, Mehmet Okur can opt out of the final year of his current contract and become a free agent, but he also stated his desire to return.
"Hopefully stay here, ya know, this is my home, second home, so hopefully I'll stay," Okur said.
I asked if he liked the idea of an extension he smiled and said, "I do."
Paul Millsap will become a restricted free agent, meaning other teams can sign him to an offer sheet and the Jazz can match any offer.
I asked him, "Is your ideal situation being in a Jazz uniform next season and beyond?"
"It would be." Paul said. "It would be. But like I said, I am going to leave it up to them, its out of my hands right now."
Six other players can also become free agents, including Kyle Korver, who has become a fan favorite here in Utah. It leaves the Jazz with some tough decisions this summer.
"I think continuity is huge," said Head Coach Jerry Sloan. "If you just keep guys together, we'll win three or four more games a year, if you just keep guys together, and gradually get better and have to believe in each other, and hopefully play together to try to win. And I've always believed that gives you a chance."
"We have a great team, ya know," Williams said. "So I'll be talking to guys, so hopefully, ya know, I don't know if we can keep everybody but hopefully we can keep most of the team intact."
E-mail: jjensen@ksl.com
