Peterson's decision, the Jazz's basketball boss added, merely allowed Utah to offer more money to Hart than their bi-annual exception that would have started at $1.83 million in the coming season.

"It was absolutely not an either-or," said O'Connor, who called the ex-Clipper "a proven basketball player" who has produced "every time he's gotten an opportunity to play."

Whatever the circumstances, Hart's simply happy to have landed with a winning franchise that actually believes in him.

"A lot of teams did a lot of talking," he said, "but nothing was really serious."

He, however, is serious about trying to earn playing time for the defending Northwest Division-champion Jazz.

Even though he may be penciled in already for certain minutes behind Williams at the point, Hart wants to put into ink the notion that he is capable of filling that role.

He vowed Thursday to work to earn his time, a promise perhaps prompted by years spent proving he's worth the risk.

"Nothing's gonna be given to me," Hart said. "I mean, if you look at my career I've never been handed anything."

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Jason Hart file

Position: Guard, 6-foot-3, 185 pounds

College: Syracuse

Former NBA teams: Milwaukee, San Antonio, Charlotte, Sacramento, Los Angeles Clippers

Career stats: 9.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.9 apg

Personal: Nickname is "J-Hart" ... He and wife Brandi have two sons, Jason II and Justin ... Hometown: Los Angeles ... Attended Inglewood High School ... Childhood hero: Magic Johnson ... Favorite sports team: Oakland Raiders

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E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com