Comparison shopping a good move for the Jazz

SALT LAKE CITY — Remember when re-signing restricted free agent Wesley Matthews was a high-level priority? When it seemed the Jazz could handle Carlos Boozer and Kyle Korver leaving but couldn't imagine parting with the tough kid from Marquette?

That is soooo dial-up yesterday.

So, the Jazz have agreed to contract terms with Raja Bell, which renders the signing of Matthews moot.

You remember Bell. Decent perimeter shooter, relentless defender, fierce competitor. Guy who hated losing so much that he would call out teammates for lack of effort. Now, he's back. The former Jazz shooting guard returns to the team where he made a name.

That means the scrappy Matthews, who signed an offer sheet with Portland, is history in Utah. The move ended several days of angst over whether the Jazz should match the offer the Trail Blazers tendered Matthews.

It was an agonizing decision on the Jazz's part. On one hand, they took the undrafted rookie from Marquette and gave him a chance last summer. Yet, Matthews used his ferocious work ethic to earn everything he got. He and the Jazz seemed a match made in lunch-bucket heaven.

Now, it's D-I-V-O-R-C-E.

This is what you do after building a relationship of trust and respect — you junk it like a Hollywood hook-up.

Fact is, the Jazz couldn't afford Matthews, and both sides knew it. Utah wanted to sign him, but only for a reasonable amount. When the Blazers parachuted in with a front-loaded contract offer that would have forced the Jazz to pay him $9 million next season — roughly 20 times what he made last year — the Jazz said they'd think about it.

Meanwhile, they went out and got Bell, who is coming off an injury-plagued season. Still, Bell is just as tough, just as feisty and hates losing as much as Matthews. Plus, he's a better perimeter shooter.

To say Bell is a better player than Matthews would be debatable. Matthews is 10 years younger and hasn't had the injury problems. At the same time, Bell was hounding Kobe Bryant when Matthews was still playing with his G.I. Joe.

So, the Jazz got Bell for roughly a third of what they would have been paying Matthews next season.

Bell has more miles, and more injuries, too. At this stage, he may or may not be a better player, but he's surely a better value. Fiscal conservatism combined with value — what a concept. It's true the Jazz are into luxury tax area and that they're paying millions to players. But they aren't scattering cash like it's confetti.

Portland can pay $9 million to a backup shooting guard if it wants.