Jazz's second-round pick close to signing contract

It is not known if the Jazz are among those teams making such an offer, though Daniels would fit the bill for the sort of veteran help at the point Utah is seeking.

The Jazz also are looking for both a defensive-oriented perimeter player to replace swingman Raja Bell, who has orally committed to sign later this month with Phoenix, and a shot-blocking big man.

They're still believed to have interest in Philadelphia guard Willie Green and Phoenix center Steven Hunter, among others.

Green, however, is a restricted free agent, and 76ers president and general manager Billy King has vowed to match not only any offer made to the Detroit Mercy product, but also to fellow restricted free agents Samuel Dalembert and Kyle Korver.

On Wednesday, in fact, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that King "said he had productive talks" Tuesday with the agents for all three.

Hunter supposedly wants out of Phoenix, though on Wednesday the Arizona Republic reported that his agent "said he has been 'talking to a lot of teams' about his client, but that Hunter hasn't ruled out returning to the Suns."

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E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com