Mostly, though, they just want to see the 22-year-old lefty reach his full potential for them rather than another team.

"You project out," O'Connor said, "and we consider him part of the future."

"We've had three years with the guy, and I think everybody felt like he had made improvement," Sloan added. "We have a lot invested in him and will see where he is — just like anybody else ... I'm happy he came back."

As much as he might have been excited about the possibility of making the move to the former Seattle Sonics team in Oklahoma City, Miles tried to express the same sentiment Friday.

"I was prepared for either way, just in case. At the end of the day, I mean, it's still a business," he said via conference call. "The team is gonna make the best decision for what they think is the best for their team. I was just hoping I was a part of the decision to move on with the (Jazz) as far as the future, so I'm happy with the decision."

Miles — who upset Sloan with his agent-driven decision not play in last year's Revue, and subsequent physical conditioning when he reported to fall camp — spoke with the Jazz coach shortly after being informed of the Jazz's plans.

"They're not gonna promise me I'm gonna play just because I signed the contract," he said. "That's not been discussed. What's been discussed is if I come in and work and show that I should play, then I will play. And that's what I plan to do.

"The game is what I love to play," Miles added, "and that's what I want to prove — that I can play."

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E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com