Utah Jazz mulling options as Wesley Matthews contract waits

SALT LAKE CITY — The Jazz today will formally receive the five-year, $34 million offer sheet starting shooting guard Wesley Matthews signed Saturday with Portland.

While deciding if they'll match the offer, though, they'll also consider lower-priced alternatives.

The Jazz are known to have interest in both Ronnie Brewer, an unrestricted free agent and their own starting shooting guard before they traded him to Memphis last February, and swingman Roger Mason, who isn't expected to return to the San Antonio Spurs.

They previously expressed interest in Golden State sharpshooter Anthony Morrow, who is expected to sign a three-year, $12 million offer sheet with New Jersey today, and guard Randy Foye, who, according to the Washington Post, signed with the Los Angeles Clippers only after also speaking with the Jazz, New York and New Jersey.

And Yahoo.com reported Sunday night that the Jazz were among three other teams who "pursued" swingman Josh Childress, who after spending two seasons in Greece will go to Phoenix via a sign-and-trade with the Atlanta Hawks on a mid-level exception deal worth $34 million over five years.

Others still on the market include Rasual Butler, who spent last season with the Clippers, and Los Angeles Lakers restricted free agent guard Shannon Brown.

As for big men, Knicks free agent Al Harrington remains a possibility for the Jazz. He's coming off recent shoulder surgery.

BRIGHT OUTLOOK: While attending Deron Williams' golf tourney Saturday, Jazz team president Randy Rigby said he texted ex-Jazz and current Bulls players Carlos Boozer and Kyle Korver to "wish them well."

Despite losing those two key contributors, Rigby seemed positive about the direction Utah is heading and expressed that Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor is trying to improve the team. (It should be noted, Rigby spoke before Matthews signed his massive offer sheet.)

"We feel like we've got some great cornerstones," Rigby said. "We're not done yet. I know Kevin's working on some other key things, so we're going to continue to move forward to keep building our team so it can be competitive and keep working for a championship."

CRAZY COMBO: Williams admitted the Miami Heat will be a formidable force with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh combining powers.

And he's as stunned as everyone that the Heat managed to get his three former Team USA teammates on the same NBA squad.

"I knew LeBron and D-Wade were going to try to play together," Williams said. "I didn't think it was possible to get all three of them on the same team."

Asked if it was odd to see James in a Heat jersey, he quickly quipped: "Seeing them three together is a crazy look."