Jazz Prepare for Busy Off-Season


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Last summer was a walk in the park for Jazz Vice President of Operations, Kevin O'Connor. Just work out a big money extension for Deron Williams and find a backup point guard, which he did with a Jason Hart for Brevin Knight trade. However, this summer's reality is that most of the team could be gone before next season.

The Utah Jazz are about to embark on what could be the busiest and most important offseason in franchise history. The team could have nine potential free agents. With the luxury tax, the shrinking salary cap and the current economy will all play a factor in how many of those nine free agents return.

Three Jazzmen, Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur, and Kyle Korver can opt out of their current contracts on June 30th in an effort to get long term deals. Boozer would walk away from 12.7 million. Okur would see 9 million go by the wayside. Korver would lose over 5 million with the gamble.

There are only 3 teams with enough salary cap space to sign a significant free agent. The Detroit Pistons, the Memphis Grizzlies and the Oklahoma City Thunder are the heavy hitters, but Boozer, Okur and Korver are not necessarily looking to change addresses.

"I do want to stay here, I want to be in Utah, I want to play for the Jazz. I've made that loud and clear from day one." said Boozer.

When asked if he felt if he had unfinished business in Utah, Boozer responded, " 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 are healthy."

Memo echoed his desire to keep his current zip code, " Hopefully, stay here. This is my home, my second home (first home is in Turkey), hopefully I'll stay."

When asked if he liked the idea of a contract extension, Okur responded, " I do.", with a broad smile and laugh.

Korver was quite candid about how the economy has influenced his decision on whether to opt out or keep his current contract.

" When I first signed this contract, I had every intention of opting out before the last year, but I'm not there, I'm not sure what's going to happen." said Korver. " I really like it here, I like the team, I love the city. It's so much more than I thought I was getting into when I was first traded."

Then there is Paul Millsap, a restricted free agent. The Jazz can match any offer made by another team, but doing so could put the Jazz over the luxury tax threshold, especially if they resign the other three.

When asked if resigning with the Jazz is his ideal situation, Millsap paused, then responded, " It would be, it would be. But I'm going to leave it up to them, it's in their (Jazz management) hands right now."

Only one thing in certain, the current roster will look different next year. How different will be determined two months from now...

Jerry Sloan said, " I think continuity is huge. If you keep guys together, you'll win three or four more games each year, if we keep guys together."

Deron Williams agrees, " We have a great team. I'll be talking to guys. I don't know if we can keep everybody, but hopefully we can keep most of the team intact."

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Jeremiah Jensen Sports Anchor and Reporter

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