Utah Jazz GM says Heat won't tamper

Despite continuing reports linking Carlos Boozer and the Miami Heat when the Jazz's All-Star power forward can become a free agent next off-season, Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor has no concerns whatsoever regarding the possibility of tampering with a player currently under contract.

O'Connor made that clear Tuesday, though only after such a scenario was presented to him by a reporter who covers the Jazz.

"I have enough respect for the Miami Heat, and for (Heat GM) Randy Pfund, and for (Heat president) Pat Riley, that I really have a great deal of confidence that that's not something that they would do," O'Connor said. "I really do. I really feel that way."

Boozer (who lives in Miami) can opt out of the final year of his current six-season deal next off-season, and even Jazz point guard Deron Williams expressed concern late last month that his Team USA Olympic teammate could leave Utah in the summer of 2009.

Miami (and almost exclusively Miami) has been mentioned throughout the current off-season in multiple national and South Florida media reports as a possible future destination for Boozer — even after the Heat took power forward Michael Beasley with the No. 2 overall selection in the June 26 NBA Draft.

As recently as Sunday, a Miami Herald columnist wrote that "With Shawn Marion and the Heat expected to resume contract talks shortly, several teams — including the (Los Angeles) Clippers and Golden State — have expressed an interest in acquiring him. The issue, though, will be whether any offers will be more appealing than keeping Marion long-term or allowing his deal to expire next summer to sign Utah's Carlos Boozer."

Said O'Connor, who relates the chatter to that frequently linking Cleveland Cavaliers Olympian LeBron James to New York and New Jersey and Miami Heat Olympian Dwyane Wade to his hometown Chicago Bulls when they become available in the open market: "I think it's all coming from the Internet."

O'Connor had no comment when asked if he had spoken to either Boozer or his agent regarding the constant rumors.

MILES UPDATE: Restricted free agent C.J. Miles still remains absent from the Jazz's Rocky Mountain Revue camp, but O'Connor on Tuesday did not rule out the possibility of Miles joining the team sometime before the summer league concludes on July 25.

"We've had conversations, and that's where it stands," O'Connor said. "I understand he's got every right not to attend — and that's his prerogative."

The Jazz want Miles in camp, but Miles — who also missed the summer league for business-related reasons last year — doesn't want to risk long-term injury while only a one-year, $1.2 million qualifying offer is on the table.

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