Jazz, Ruffin agree to terms

One day after trading for Sacramento Kings big man Keon Clark, the Jazz added yet another power forward to their frontcourt.

Utah on Wednesday agreed to terms on a one-year contract with 6-foot-8 Tulsa product Michael Ruffin, who played his first two NBA seasons with the Chicago Bulls and 15 games in the 2001-02 season with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Ruffin, 26, averaged 5.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and 22.4 minutes over seven games last month for the Jazz's entry in the Rocky Mountain Revue summer league, and it was after then that Utah officials decided to pursue signing him.

A native of Denver, Ruffin also played part of the 2001-02 season and all of last season with Caprabo Lleida of the Spanish League.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but if it's for the minimum it would be worth $688,679 to a four-year vet like Ruffin. Details on whether the contract is fully guaranteed, partially guaranteed or non-guaranteed also were not disclosed.

JACKSON SEEKS DEAL: Mark Jackson, the Jazz's backup point guard behind John Stockton last season, told the New York Post earlier this week that he hopes to remain in the NBA.

"I still want to play," said the 38-year-old Jackson, who last season moved into second place behind now-retired Stockton on the NBA's all-time assists list. "I still enjoy playing and feel I can help a team.

"There's people calling all the time offering jobs to me as an assistant (coach), TV (analyst)," Jackson added. "But I'm planning on playing."

Jackson also told the Post "I really don't want to go back" to Utah.

That's probably a good thing, because the Jazz have said all off-season that they have no interest in re-signing him.

Jackson is not currently involved in serious negotiations with any NBA team, according to the Post report.

The Jazz re-signed their No. 3 point guard from last season, Carlos Arroyo, late last week. They also have 2001 first-round draft choice Raul Lopez under contract, are high on unsigned 2003 second-round pick Mo Williams, and may add one other point as well.

INTEREST IN DROBNJAK? The Rocky Mountain News in Denver reported Wednesday that the agent for 6-11 Seattle restricted free agent big man Predrag Drobnjak said the Jazz are among five teams with interest in his client.

That interest, however, likely has diminished greatly now that Utah has acquired both Clark and Ruffin. Drobnjak, meanwhile, has emerged instead as "a top target for the Nuggets," according to the Denver paper.

CLOSE, BUT . . . : Ex-Jazz player Marc Iavaroni was one of four candidates to interview twice for the Milwaukee Bucks' head coaching job that eventually went to Terry Porter, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported Wednesday. Atlanta interim coach Terry Stotts and Detroit assistant Mike Woodson were the others.

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E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com