Utah Jazz: Millsap's contract causing concern
It's been described as hefty, substantial, explosive and even toxic.
Whether the offer sheet restricted free agent Paul Millsap signed with the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night — for four years and roughly $32 million, including a whopping $10.3 million or so payable within a week — is noxious enough to keep the Jazz from matching it, however, remains to be seen.
"The indication I got is that they're not going to do it," said Millsap's representative and uncle, DeAngelo Simmons.
Yet even while somewhat mixed signals seemed to be coming from the franchise's front office Saturday, general manager Kevin O'Connor did have this to say regarding Jazz ownership: "I don't think the Miller family likes to be bullied."
But bullies the Blazers are trying to be.
The offer sheet signed by Millsap, Utah's backup power forward, calls for him to make approximately $6.3 million next season, $6.2 million in 2010-11, $6.7 million in 2011-12 and $7.2 million in 2012-2013 — plus a $5.6 million signing bonus.
Moreover, both the signing bonus and approximately $4.7 million of first-season salary must be paid within seven days after the NBA formally approves the contract — the structure of which already has received the league's OK.
That's right: $10.3 million and change payable up front.
Simmons on Saturday called contract both "unique" and "complex."
Complicated, as well, seem to be Millsap's feelings.
"He was excited about the situation," Jazz small forward C.J. Miles said Saturday. "Talking to him, like, he wants to be back here. And we talked with him (Friday night), the last couple days. I mean, he wants to be back here. Hopefully we can bring him back. But it's out of his hands."
Yet another of Millsap's representatives, Ara Vartanian, suggested Friday that the client would rather be a Blazer.
"I honestly think Portland is a great fit for Paul — a young team, a great chance to win a championship," he said. "And the Jazz might be a little uncertain for him."
That's cause for the Jazz to perhaps reassess their much-ballyhooed vow to match any offer that Millsap — a 2006 second-round draft choice who averaged 13.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per game last season — might sign with another team.
"We're going to have seven days to take a hard look at the decision we're going to make," Jazz president Randy Rigby said Saturday in Lehi, where he was playing in a charity golf tournament hosted by Deron Williams — a tourney for which Millsap, incidentally, did not show up as previously planned.
Recent comments
I was one of those who that the Millsap offer was way to much, but...
On Second Thought... | July 16, 2009 at 5:42 p.m.
Milsap was drafted in the 2nd round and therefore recieved a minimum...
Fact! | July 16, 2009 at 2:32 p.m.
Give me a break. You've got a team that pays Andrei Kirilenko as...
Overpaid? | July 16, 2009 at 1:01 p.m.
- Boise State stops Pack, stays perfect 9:22 a.m.
- Police to talk to Woods about accident 9:21 a.m.
- Man sentenced in China 9:05 a.m.
- 'Pulp Fiction' writer taken off furlough 8:58 a.m.
- Relative sought in killings 8:51 a.m.
- Death toll from floods in Saudi 8:40 a.m.
- 3 Americans die in cargo plane crash 8:34 a.m.
- Saturday, Sunday on TV 8:31 a.m.
- Chalet readied for house arrest 8:29 a.m.
- Vegas, Poinsettia bowls or bust 2:01 a.m.
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
266 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
212 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
136 - Letters: Rushing to judge Palin
133 - Boys basketball rankings
128 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
112 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
109 - Letters: Trump card for believers
93 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
85 - Utah, BYU are top choices for bowls
75
It's finally time for the game that everyone has been waiting for all...
Its finally here, the big game. No matter what the circumstances are, it...
Carlos Boozer denied that playing so well against the Chicago Bulls held...
i think the utes r full of it!! they didn't have any problems when the...
Someone who has actually read the initiative. You are spot on. Its an...
administration supposed to keep our nation safe when they can't even provide...
Don't remind us about last year. This is a new game. As for Boise St and...
Idaho must be a top 20 team. GO VANDALS!
Fire Departments come under "police powers" which are related to property...
You are absolutely correct!! Nowhere in the constitution does it grant an...
We will be thinking about you and watching your progress Yura. Thank you for...
I agree with both David and John. Taxing necessities is not necessarily an...
The only thing, and I do mean the ONLY thing better about San Diego is the...

