Jazz have some holes to plug

In his farewell news conference Monday, soon-to-be former Jazz guard Derek Fisher pondered what might have been.

"As far as I'm concerned," said Fisher, whom the Jazz will soon formally release from the remaining three years and $20.58 million on his contract, "we come back next year and win the West if I don't have to make this decision."

Instead, while Fisher moves his family somewhere that baby daughter Tatum can best battle her rare childhood eye cancer, the Jazz must contemplate how to best position themselves for a second straight run to the NBA's Western Conference finals.

"Obviously there are a lot of things to consider," Jazz basketball boss Kevin O'Connor said.

Chief among them: Who replaces Fisher as Utah's starting shooting guard, and who replaces the 11-year veteran as primary backup to starting point guard Deron Williams.

Dee Brown, a rookie and the Jazz's No. 3 point last season, may have a leg up in the battle to be Williams' chief sub because he already knows coach Jerry Sloan's offense.

That assumes, though, that Brown, a restricted free agent, re-signs with Utah — and at this point that's no given. Brown has indicated he will play for the Jazz's summer-league team, but he hasn't committed to accepting a qualifying offer Utah recently made.

Even if Brown does return, he may have to beat out a veteran for the backup job.

Jazz owner Larry H. Miller has indicated Utah wants three points next season, which means the Jazz must either sign one from the now-open free-agency market or make a trade.

"I would say that's something we have to focus on before (October training) camp ... which is going to be interesting trick, because any up-and-coming point guard is gonna look and say, 'Hey, on that team, for the next 10 years, I'm probably not gonna play very many minutes, because there's a guy out there (Williams) that's gonna start commandeering 40 minutes a night,"' Miller said. "So ... I'd probably profile the guy that's an eight- or 10-year veteran who's still got some gas in the tank who can help us with experience and be satisfied with 15 minutes a night."

One such possibility, 10-year pro and ex-Jazz reserve point Jacque Vaughn, is off the market after agreeing to re-sign with NBA-champion San Antonio for what the San Antonio Express-News reported is a two-year, $2.5 million deal.

Others include Brevin Knight, a 10-year vet recently waived by Charlotte; tiny Earl Boykins, a nine-year pro free after opting out of his contract with Milwaukee; and ex-Jazz starting point Keith McLeod, a Sloan favorite who finished last season with Indiana but has just four years' worth of NBA experience.

Miller also has thoughts on who should replace Fisher at the 2 (shooting guard) spot.