Kenyon Martin wanted to come to Utah but never arrived. Not even for a short visit. Carlos Boozer never visited but wants to stay in Utah. For a long time.

Hours after it became apparent the New Jersey Nets restricted free agent Martin and the Jazz had canceled their scheduled get-together Wednesday, the Jazz acknowledged an agreement with Cleveland Cavaliers restricted free agent Boozer on a deal that could bring Utah the power forward it has so desperately sought ever since Karl Malone left for the Los Angeles Lakers.

"We have an offer sheet that's been accepted by Carlos Boozer that will be signed on the 14th (Wednesday), and we have to wait 15 days," said Kevin O'Connor, the Jazz's basketball operations senior vice president.

The offer is believed to be worth $68 million over six seasons and designed to make it terrifically difficult for the Cavaliers to keep Boozer — perhaps starting in the $9-to-11 million range and front-loaded with a considerable signing bonus worth up to 25 percent of the deal's total value.

Color the Cavs stunned.

"We are both very surprised and very disappointed by what is now being reported," the team said in a statement released jointly by general manager Jim Paxson and owner Gordon Gund.

Cleveland will have 15 days from Wednesday to figure a way to match - if, that is, the Cavs would even want back someone they now seem to consider a turncoat.

The unfolding tale is replete with twists, turns, promises perhaps made - and commitments perhaps broken.

Boozer, a 22-year-old Alaskan who was formally named to USA Basketball's Olympic Team on Thursday, played three seasons at Duke. He thought he'd be a lottery pick in the 2002 NBA Draft.

He worked out twice then for Utah, but the Jazz passed, as did every other team in the first round. Five more clubs did the same in the second round until Cleveland finally took him, 35th overall.

Boozer blossomed last season, averaging 15.5 points and 11.4 rebounds while establishing himself as an apparent cornerstone for an up-and-coming franchise anchored by 2004 NBA Rookie of the Year LeBron James.

Then the Cavs stunned the NBA, failing to pick up his contract's third-year option - valued at only about $700,000.

Many suspect a wink-wink deal, even though that's seemingly against NBA rules.

The Cavs practically admitted it, evidenced by this prepared Paxson statement issued June 30: "The Cavaliers elected not to exercise our team option for Carlos Boozer's third season. As a result, we now are able, and fully intend, to enter into a long-term contract with Carlos . . . "

Some say the idea was born with Boozer.