Harpring fine with limited time

With his right knee surgically repaired last summer for a third time, Jazz backup small forward Matt Harpring has spent much of the season under doctor's orders to play no more than 16-to-18 minutes per game.

Harpring — whose current contract is partly tied to the knee's health — suggested Tuesday even he wasn't certain if those orders still stand.

But Jazz coach Jerry Sloan continues to use him accordingly anyway.

That's at least in part, it would seem, to not overtax the knee.

Sloan also is juggling a glut of swingmen, including not only Harpring, but also starting small forward Andrei Kirilenko, starting shooting guard Ronnie Brewer, backup shooting guard Kyle Korver and currently out-of-the-rotation C.J. Miles.

Harpring — who twice before this offseason had the knee repaired via microfracture surgery — logged 17 minutes in Monday's win over Milwaukee.

His season average is 16.

On Tuesday, when asked, the 31-year-old expressed mixed sentiments about the subject.

On one hand, he said, "I think my legs are getting back under me. I feel stronger. ... I definitely feel better than I did a month ago, even."

But Harpring also refrained from calling for more minutes: "I want to do what's best for the team — and I'm at the point of my career where it's about winning right now, so whatever is gonna be best is what I'm gonna do."

Harpring makes $6 million this season — part of a four-year deal signed in 2006 that's worth at least $21 million and potentially $25 million.

If solely due to the right knee he misses 47 or more total regular-season games from last season through next season, or 35 or more because of the knee next season alone, he'd lose the extra $4 million — dropping his 2009-10 salary from $6.5 million to $2.5 million.

So far this season, Harpring has missed just one game because of the knee; last season, one as well.

Asked Tuesday about the contract, he said, "You play the game for the love of the game. That hasn't crossed my mind, at all."

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E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com