The final hours of the off-season
If nothing else, this preseason is going to be more interesting than last, when the Jazz had 15 players with guaranteed contracts and no roster spots left to claim.
They will enter camp with 13 players under contract this year, one of whom will be two time zones away in Matt Harpring. The Jazz have to carry a minimum of 13 players under NBA rules, but would have only 12 available if they don't make an addition.
That would make things pretty easy when it comes to filling out the active list, but the Jazz have to decide if they are best served with such a thin roster, especially if they're concerned about the possibility of injuries.
For years, the Jazz carried just 12 players when the NBA would have allowed them to keep additional players on the old injured list. That changed as Karl Malone and John Stockton moved into the final years of their careers.
Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor isn't opposed to what in effect would be a 12-man roster. His biggest concern, in fact, is not with the games but maintaining quality in practice when players inevitably get banged up.
The Jazz might have to stay at 12 simply because of economics. They have an $82 million payroll and are facing a $12 million luxury-tax bill.
Keeping second-round draft pick Goran Suton (or any other player on a rookie minimum contract) would cost more than $900,000 because of the tax. A five-year veteran like Ronald Dupree would cost approximately $1.65 million.
O'Connor also prefers to keep at least one roster spot empty in the event of a two-for-one trade in which the Jazz would have to take back an extra player with a guaranteed contract. That probably goes double this season as long as Carlos Boozer is around.
The Jazz will have six players fighting to show the Jazz they are worth keeping around. We've already reported on Dupree and Suton, but the Jazz also will be bringing Syracuse guard Paul Harris and Marquette guard Wes Matthews to camp.
Also coming to camp will be former Utah State forward Spencer Nelson, who went to camp with the Jazz in 2005 and twice played for them in the Rocky Mountain Revue. Nelson has played professionally in Germany, Italy and Greece.
The final name is an interesting one in Alex Johnson, a 6-foot-9 forward who averaged 4.3 points and 2.7 rebounds in 102 games over two seasons with Memphis and Miami. Something about the Jazz's situation obviously attracted Johnson.
* * *
If media day two years ago with Andrei Kirilenko was any guide, don't expect anything earthshaking out of Carlos Boozer's return Friday. I'm guessing there's going to be 600 quotes all centered on the same old NBA theme: "It's a business."
I am interested, though, to hear what Boozer has to say about just what he was promised as far as a trade, his reaction to Paul Millsap's new contract and how he plans to make the best out of a most uncomfortable situation this season.
--Ross Siler
They will enter camp with 13 players under contract this year, one of whom will be two time zones away in Matt Harpring. The Jazz have to carry a minimum of 13 players under NBA rules, but would have only 12 available if they don't make an addition.
That would make things pretty easy when it comes to filling out the active list, but the Jazz have to decide if they are best served with such a thin roster, especially if they're concerned about the possibility of injuries.
For years, the Jazz carried just 12 players when the NBA would have allowed them to keep additional players on the old injured list. That changed as Karl Malone and John Stockton moved into the final years of their careers.
Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor isn't opposed to what in effect would be a 12-man roster. His biggest concern, in fact, is not with the games but maintaining quality in practice when players inevitably get banged up.
The Jazz might have to stay at 12 simply because of economics. They have an $82 million payroll and are facing a $12 million luxury-tax bill.
Keeping second-round draft pick Goran Suton (or any other player on a rookie minimum contract) would cost more than $900,000 because of the tax. A five-year veteran like Ronald Dupree would cost approximately $1.65 million.
O'Connor also prefers to keep at least one roster spot empty in the event of a two-for-one trade in which the Jazz would have to take back an extra player with a guaranteed contract. That probably goes double this season as long as Carlos Boozer is around.
The Jazz will have six players fighting to show the Jazz they are worth keeping around. We've already reported on Dupree and Suton, but the Jazz also will be bringing Syracuse guard Paul Harris and Marquette guard Wes Matthews to camp.
Also coming to camp will be former Utah State forward Spencer Nelson, who went to camp with the Jazz in 2005 and twice played for them in the Rocky Mountain Revue. Nelson has played professionally in Germany, Italy and Greece.
The final name is an interesting one in Alex Johnson, a 6-foot-9 forward who averaged 4.3 points and 2.7 rebounds in 102 games over two seasons with Memphis and Miami. Something about the Jazz's situation obviously attracted Johnson.
* * *
If media day two years ago with Andrei Kirilenko was any guide, don't expect anything earthshaking out of Carlos Boozer's return Friday. I'm guessing there's going to be 600 quotes all centered on the same old NBA theme: "It's a business."
I am interested, though, to hear what Boozer has to say about just what he was promised as far as a trade, his reaction to Paul Millsap's new contract and how he plans to make the best out of a most uncomfortable situation this season.
--Ross Siler
9:46 PM
| 
1 Comments:
Glad to see Paul Harris is part of the Jazz training camp. Chances are he doesn't stick, but he's who I wanted the Jazz to draft with their second round pick. I love his toughness.
Post a Comment
<< Home