Lopez bad luck saddens Sloan

Even before the Jazz packaged Raul Lopez's contract in last Friday's three-team trade with Memphis and Sacramento, Jazz coach Jerry Sloan bemoaned the end of the Spanish point guard's injury-plagued NBA career.

"It's been very sad for him, because you see a kid who really wanted to play, who's really dedicated to trying to work and work hard — and then gets hurt," Sloan said Lopez, who has one knee that's been reconstructed twice and another that recently was surgically repaired.

"It kind of makes you sick to your stomach — because there's so many players that are not putting that kind of effort into playing, and they're still hanging around just trying to make a paycheck," Sloan added. "He wanted to play so bad that it was really kind of scary."

Before the trade, Lopez intended to give up the final year on his Jazz contract so he could return to play in his native Spain. Memphis also will allow that, permitting the 25-year-old to play at home without having to endure the grind of an 82-game NBA season.

Lopez's contract, shooting guard Kirk Snyder and center Curtis Borchardt all went from Utah to Memphis as part of a six-player deal also bringing center Greg Ostertag back to the Jazz from Sacramento.

The trade must still be approved by the NBA, which now probably won't happen until early next week because of collective bargaining issues.

MINARD INVITED: Ex-Morehead State shooting guard Ricky Minard, a 2004 Sacramento second-round draft choice will attend the Jazz's fall training camp.

With Snyder off to Memphis and Raja Bell committed to Phoenix via free agency, Minard's agent thinks the unsigned free agent can contend for a roster spot.

"Utah is looking for a guard they can bring off the bench who can score, and that's what Ricky does best," agent Michael Whitaker told the News Journal in Mansfield, Ohio, where Minard played high-school ball.

Cut by the Kings, the 6-foot-4 Minard started last season in the NBDL. He averaged 20.9 points in four seasons at Morehead.

"The Jazz (front office) said, 'With the Snyder trade and Raja gone, this is a chance for Ricky to make our team,' " Whitaker said. "Utah has some roster spots open and they need what Ricky brings to the table."

According to the Ohio newspaper, Sacramento unsuccessfully tried to turn Minard into a point guard.