Secretly, the Jazz had to be hoping Boozer would opt out and leave town. His return creates many headaches. With Boozer's contract on the books, they face the daunting task of already being over the luxury tax, for the first time in franchise history, and still needing to re-sign Paul Milsap.

Then there's this: Milsap has earned more minutes, and he could get them elsewhere, if not here now that Boozer has opted to stay.

There are not many upsides to Boozer's return.

He has worn out his welcome with fans, if not the Jazz, with his attitude, unreliability and spotty play. And how does a team get behind a player who so obviously doesn't want to be here, his statements to the contrary notwithstanding.

Well, if nothing else, the situation will force Boozer to try to bring his best game to the court next season, so he can demonstrate to other teams that he is worth signing or trading for. Meanwhile, Boozer and the Jazz are stuck with each other.

e-mail: drob@desnews.com