The opt-out decisions
We're in a holding pattern for these next two days waiting for Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur and Kyle Korver to make their opt-out decisions official. Not make the decisions - - as that's likely happened in all three cases - - but give the Jazz official notification.
After weeks of reporting on the subject, I'm drawing the conclusion that Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur will opt out and Kyle Korver will not. Maybe something changes, but I'd be surprised if the scorecard didn't read as such Tuesday.
Boozer already announced his intentions back in December, but the question is whether he will in fact follow through. He wants the security of a long-term contract, believes he's a franchise player and expects to be the marquee free agent on the market.
If he doesn't opt out, Boozer would run the risk of being traded as an expiring contract, with no say in where he would end up. That could be potentially devastating heading into the 2010 free-agent market.
By opting out, Boozer also would set himself up to return to free agency after the 2013-14 season, assuming he would sign a five-year contract. That's a long ways off, but Boozer only would be 32 that summer and in line for possibly one more big contract.
The Jazz seemingly have been lukewarm about Boozer's potential return since the end of the season. He would be opting out of $12.7 million for this season, but I believe Boozer will find what he's looking for on the free-agent market.
The question is whether the Jazz feel the need to get something in return for Boozer, whether Paul Millsap really can fill the void left by Boozer and whether letting go of a two-time All-Star in what should be the prime of his career serves the Jazz well.
While Boozer's decision isn't expected until Tuesday, Okur is likely to opt out as soon as Monday. He's in a low-risk situation even walking away from $9 million as he could command that salary playing for a team in Turkey or elsewhere in Europe.
Okur's preference is to stay in the NBA. By opting out, he would be raising the stakes for the Jazz as they try to re-sign him. The Jazz are said to have been cautious in making commitments to one player that could affect their other situations.
Korver's been quiet about his decision, but it's believed that he's going to opt in. He's unlikely to match his $5.2 million salary on the free-agent market, wants to stay in Utah and could revisit extension talks later this summer.
* * *
Under the above scenario, the Jazz would head into free agency with nine players under contract - - Andrei Kirilenko, Deron Williams, Matt Harpring, Korver, C.J. Miles, Ronnie Brewer, Eric Maynor, Kosta Koufos and Kyrylo Fesenko - - and a payroll of $51.9 million.
That would leave the Jazz about $18 million below the luxury-tax threshold as they make decisions about re-signing Boozer, Okur and/or Millsap as well as explore the possibility/necessity of adding a free agent with their midlevel exception ($5.5 million).
* * *
Talking to people Sunday, the list of potential suitors for Millsap is expected to possibly include Oklahoma City, Detroit and Portland. The Thunder are believed to be looking for a bruiser - - Anderson Varejao is another name - - and will have $11 million or so in cap space to sign a player. They are expected to spend this summer.
* * *
Thought this quote from Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor was a pretty good appraisal of the impact the economy is having on teams around the league.
"I think teams are going in different directions," O'Connor said. "Either teams are really saying, 'We've got to rebuild,' or teams are saying, 'We're going to try and get to the top.' I don't see any teams staying status quo."
--Ross Siler
After weeks of reporting on the subject, I'm drawing the conclusion that Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur will opt out and Kyle Korver will not. Maybe something changes, but I'd be surprised if the scorecard didn't read as such Tuesday.
Boozer already announced his intentions back in December, but the question is whether he will in fact follow through. He wants the security of a long-term contract, believes he's a franchise player and expects to be the marquee free agent on the market.
If he doesn't opt out, Boozer would run the risk of being traded as an expiring contract, with no say in where he would end up. That could be potentially devastating heading into the 2010 free-agent market.
By opting out, Boozer also would set himself up to return to free agency after the 2013-14 season, assuming he would sign a five-year contract. That's a long ways off, but Boozer only would be 32 that summer and in line for possibly one more big contract.
The Jazz seemingly have been lukewarm about Boozer's potential return since the end of the season. He would be opting out of $12.7 million for this season, but I believe Boozer will find what he's looking for on the free-agent market.
The question is whether the Jazz feel the need to get something in return for Boozer, whether Paul Millsap really can fill the void left by Boozer and whether letting go of a two-time All-Star in what should be the prime of his career serves the Jazz well.
While Boozer's decision isn't expected until Tuesday, Okur is likely to opt out as soon as Monday. He's in a low-risk situation even walking away from $9 million as he could command that salary playing for a team in Turkey or elsewhere in Europe.
Okur's preference is to stay in the NBA. By opting out, he would be raising the stakes for the Jazz as they try to re-sign him. The Jazz are said to have been cautious in making commitments to one player that could affect their other situations.
Korver's been quiet about his decision, but it's believed that he's going to opt in. He's unlikely to match his $5.2 million salary on the free-agent market, wants to stay in Utah and could revisit extension talks later this summer.
* * *
Under the above scenario, the Jazz would head into free agency with nine players under contract - - Andrei Kirilenko, Deron Williams, Matt Harpring, Korver, C.J. Miles, Ronnie Brewer, Eric Maynor, Kosta Koufos and Kyrylo Fesenko - - and a payroll of $51.9 million.
That would leave the Jazz about $18 million below the luxury-tax threshold as they make decisions about re-signing Boozer, Okur and/or Millsap as well as explore the possibility/necessity of adding a free agent with their midlevel exception ($5.5 million).
* * *
Talking to people Sunday, the list of potential suitors for Millsap is expected to possibly include Oklahoma City, Detroit and Portland. The Thunder are believed to be looking for a bruiser - - Anderson Varejao is another name - - and will have $11 million or so in cap space to sign a player. They are expected to spend this summer.
* * *
Thought this quote from Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor was a pretty good appraisal of the impact the economy is having on teams around the league.
"I think teams are going in different directions," O'Connor said. "Either teams are really saying, 'We've got to rebuild,' or teams are saying, 'We're going to try and get to the top.' I don't see any teams staying status quo."
--Ross Siler
7:34 PM
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