Williams knows the realities for ex-mates

BOISE — Second-round draft choice Dee Brown is embroiled in an intriguing training-camp battle with undrafted Brian Chase for the Jazz's No. 3 point guard job. Indications after a week's worth of camp at Boise State University suggest the Jazz are leaning toward keeping undrafted forward Roger Powell Jr., whose contract is partially guaranteed, for at least the early part of the regular season.

No one can be certain what the fate of Brown or Powell will be, though, until November arrives.

Until then, Jazz starting point Deron Williams can only wonder if both of his former University of Illinois teammates will make the roster — and try not to let the matter weigh on his mind while management and coaches contemplate tough calls.

"He knows," Jazz basketball operations senior vice president Kevin O'Connor said, "that we've got to have the best team on the floor, and we've got to do what we feel is best, and he's got to go play, and we've got to make decisions."

Knowing, however, doesn't necessarily make acceptance easier.

"Of course it's gonna be hard, because I want both of those guys to be on the team. It would be hard if one of 'em got cut," said Williams, the 2005 NBA Draft's No. 3 overall selection. "But, at the same time, I know it's a business. I know I have no control over it, and whatever decisions they make I have to live with. I can't have any hard feelings toward them. And they're not gonna keep somebody just because of me."

Having Williams around, though, can't help but aid the bids by Brown, a Bob Cousy Award winner as the nation's top collegiate point guard, and Powell, who went to training camp with Seattle last season but wound up as the CBA's Rookie of the Year after averaging 21.1 points in 48 games for minor-league Rockford (Ill.).

"It's not in my power. It's up to those guys. They're the ones putting in the work to making the team," Williams said. "I'll just try to help them with whatever I can and hopefully things work out.

"Any little advice I can I try to get to them I will, whether they want to hear it or not. And they both respect my opinion. They know I've been here for a year, and I know what coach (Jerry Sloan) wants, and I know what he expects. And I think both those guys are coach Sloan's kind of player. They're both energetic guys, they work hard, and coach Sloan loves that."

GILL AVAILABLE: According to DraftExpress.com, a Russian team — St. Petersburg Dynamo — unexpectedly folded late last week, leaving talent like ex-NBA players Eddie Gill and Maciej Lampe free agents.

It's believed the Jazz have no interest in making a contract offer to combo-guard Gill, a Weber State product who had been slated to earn $600,000 for Dynamo this season.

Gill has played for four NBA teams over five seasons, including 41 games for Indiana last season.

ON SALE SOON: Single-game tickets for the coming season go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday at the Delta Center box office, at area TicketMaster outlets, on utahjazz.com or by calling (801) 325-7328.