From Deseret News archives:

Jazz camp roster has no surprises

Published: Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2004 12:52 a.m. MDT
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With 12 guaranteed contracts for the 2004-05 season, the Utah Jazz are being judicious about inviting free agents to their training camp that starts Oct. 4 with physicals and media day.

The Jazz released their training-camp roster Monday, and only 6-foot-7 forward Cedric Henderson, a Cleveland Cavalier from 1997-2001 and with Golden State in 2001-02, and 6-2 NBDL combo guard Jason Miskiri join the 12 contracted players.

However, "We're going to add a couple people this week," said Jazz senior vice president of basketball operations Kevin O'Connor, who would not name anyone.

Utah worked out three players last week — including Mateen Cleaves (late of Cleveland) and Keith McLeod (Minnesota) — and one or more of them could get invites.

O'Connor would not speculate on who might be invited, though he said he had a few thoughts.

He said the Jazz aren't in a great hurry to replace guard Mo Williams, a restricted free agent they allowed to sign for three years and $5.5 million with the Milwaukee Bucks last month.

They'll not overpay but will consider experience in searching for a third point, and they may try some of the rostered players like Raja Bell or perhaps Kirk Snyder at point behind Carlos Arroyo and Raul Lopez.

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Following reporting day on Oct. 4, the Jazz will travel to St. George and hold two-a-days at Dixie State College Oct. 5-7, a single practice the morning of Oct. 8, and then return to Salt Lake City. Coach Jerry Sloan just wants to get away from the city for the first part of camp, said team spokesman Kim Turner.

The Jazz's training-camp schedule was altered Friday when it was announced that the NBA had indefinitely postponed their first preseason game in Moscow, once slated for Oct. 8. The game will not be played this season, and because the Jazz are now not playing an international exhibition game, they must start camp at the same time as other NBA teams not going abroad, Oct. 5.

Utah's first preseason game is now Oct. 17 against Seattle in Spokane, Wash.

O'Connor said Miskiri is "really quick and athletic" but is more a shooting guard than point. He is a 1999 graduate of George Mason and played for Houston's summer-league team in 2003, went to camp with Boston in 2002 and played one game for the Charlotte Hornets in 1999-2000. With the NBDL Charleston Lowgators last season he averaged 7.7 points, 3.7 assists and 1.4 steals in 20.3 minutes a game.

Henderson, a 1997 second-round pick by Cleveland, is a career 7.3 scorer and 2.9 rebounder. His best year was his first, 10.1 points and 4.0 boards while starting 71 games and playing in all 82. He has also played in the CBA, NBDL, Israel and Lebanon.

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