Utah Jazz to add 'surprise' assistant

SALT LAKE CITY — Some NBA teams have cut staffs and trimmed budgets during the lockout, but the Utah Jazz are about to add another employee.

Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin told team-owned 1320 KFAN on Wednesday that he will "very shortly" announce an addition to his limited staff, which currently only includes assistants Scott Layden and Jeff Hornacek.

Corbin did not reveal the identity of his hire but said the Jazz "feel very good" about the coaching staff.

"You'll be real surprised and real happy with the guys we have," Corbin said.

In February, Corbin convinced Hornacek, then Utah's part-time shooting coach, to become a full-time assistant after the surprising mid-season resignations of Jerry Sloan and Phil Johnson.

But Corbin decided to hold off on hiring a third assistant — as Sloan previously had — until this offseason.

HARRIS CHAT: Jazz point guard Devin Harris spent time on ESPN.com answering basketball fans' questions during a live chat. Here are some of his responses:

On what the former Wisconsin player is doing during the lockout: "I actually am going back to school and finishing up my degree. ... I'm continuing my normal preseason workouts, just extended. I'm not killing myself. I don't want to burn out too early, not knowing how long it will last."

On adjustments to the Jazz after being traded from New Jersey: "It's a different offense. We don't play at the same type of speed that I was used to in New Jersey. I had to let guys run ahead of me to keep numbers on the break. Defensively, it was different than I was used to. That took some adjustment as well."

On his overseas possibilities: "It's a tough question. I'm a new family man. My daughter was just born. If we're talking about February or March, then you might be silly not to look at it. I would say no, but things can change."

On Nets/Jazz teammate Derrick Favors: "I think he can be very talented. He's only 19 last year. He's probably the strongest 19-year-old I've ever seen. Once he understands how to play, he'll be one of the best power forwards in the game."

On making the playoffs next spring: "I do. I do. The Utah fans are not used to losing, so I can see us bouncing back from last year. The young and veterans coming together for a nice year."

GOT MOVES?: The Utah Flash have folded, but local pro wannabes still have a shot at pursuing their hoop dreams. The Idaho Stampede, who are the Jazz's new D-League affiliate, are hosting an open tryout Saturday at the XSI Sports Factory in Lehi.

Idaho coach Randy Livingston, a former Jazz guard, and his staff will evaluate tryout participants, with spots at the Stampede's fall camp in November up for grabs.

Hopefuls need to pre-register, which costs $175, at idahostampede.com.

Idaho has held tryouts in Denver and Portland, and will conduct another casting call in Boise on Oct. 22.

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