Jazz will see what market bears

On the eve of the opening of the NBA's summer free agency market, the Jazz on Wednesday said they have made qualifying offers to four of their own players from this past season: restricted free agents Carlos Arroyo, Jarron Collins, Gordan Giricek and Mo Williams.

"We want them back next year, and these qualifying offers show our intent to make that happen," Kevin O'Connor, the Jazz's senior vice president for basketball operations, said in a statement released by the team.

The decision does not, however, guarantee all four will return to Utah in the fall. Rather, it merely protects the Jazz's right to match any offer another team extends to any of the four.

All four are expected to draw at least some interest from other clubs, and at least one seems anxious to test the market.

"He was happy there. He thought it's a good fit, and I thought it's a good fit," said Marc Fleisher, who represents shooting guard Giricek. "But he is a free agent."

That means Giricek will listen with open ears to offers from elsewhere. Teams can recruit, negotiate with, and even come to agreement with free agents beginning today, but contracts cannot be signed until July 14 at the earliest.

The Jazz have said previously they want to keep Giricek, but Fleisher made it clear he and his client will seek the best contract they can find.

"Wanting him back and being willing to pay what we think is a fair market value," Fleisher said, "may be the same thing, or may not be the same thing."

Portland and perhaps New Jersey are thought to have Giricek on their list of free-agent targets. Miami might pursue starting point guard Arroyo, and Charlotte could try to recruit combo guard Williams.

If any of the restricted players signs another team's offer sheet, the Jazz would have 15 days to decide if it will match the deal.

To preserve that right, the Jazz were required to make at least a one-year offer to each of the four that is based on a formula tied to their contract from last season: $1,9250,000 for Giricek; $1,625,000 for Collins; $1,250,000 for Arroyo; and $770,046 for Williams.

Wednesday was the deadline for doing so.

The Jazz also have four unrestricted free agents: big men Tom Gugliotta, Mikki Moore, Greg Ostertag and Michael Ruffin.

Ostertag has consistently said since the season ended that he has not ruled out returning.