Arroyo signs 4-year contract to remain in Jazz backcourt

In August, Carlos Arroyo will carry the flag for his island nation's entire delegation of athletes during Opening Ceremonies for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.

It was what Arroyo accomplished Wednesday, however, that the Puerto Rican point guard has thought about since he can remember. And it's a real rags-to-riches story, especially considering Arroyo wasn't even drafted out of Florida International University in 2001.

"This is one of the things in basketball . . . that you're happy to see," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said.

Arroyo signed a four-year, $16 million contract to return to the Jazz.

Beyond the money, though, it's the fact the 25-year-old has secured his future as an NBA player for seasons to come that was the real reason he was smiling so wide.

"I have so many emotions going though me right now," said Arroyo, who has never had more than a one-year contract during his first three NBA seasons after four at FIU.

"When I was kid," he added, "I used to look in the mirror and say, 'Can I make it?' . . . Now, I can die tomorrow and I'll be happy."

Neither Arroyo's wife, who sat to his left during a news conference Wednesday night, nor Jazz owner Larry H. Miller, who sat to his right, want Arroyo to get too far ahead of himself.

Rather, Miller choose to dwell on watching Arroyo transform himself from Utah's No. 3 point behind John Stockton and Mark Jackson two years ago to the Jazz's starter at the point last season.

"It was really interesting," Miller said, "to watch him sit behind John and be patient."

Now, Miller added, "he's clearly an NBA point guard on the rise."

And he helps run an NBA team seemingly on the rise as well.

The Jazz also have an oral commitment on a four-year, $16 million contract from Gordan Giricek, their starting shooting guard at the end of last season. He is expected to arrive in Utah from Croatia on Sunday and sign his new deal Monday.

Beyond that, the Jazz got signatures on six-year offer sheets Wednesday from Detroit Pistons center Mehmet Okur and Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Carlos Boozer. Assuming neither team matches those offers — and neither is expected to — that means the Jazz now have four-fifths of what could be their starting lineup for the next several seasons tied up for the next four years.

There are still puzzle pieces, however, that must be put in place.

A spot is being held open for restricted free agent shooting guard Mo Williams, whom the Jazz fully expected to re-sign.

Then, a decision must perhaps be made.