Utah Jazz: Fuzzy future — Jazz have financial questions to answer

Larry H. Miller dropped somewhat of a bombshell at the press conference he held after being released from the hospital last month.

And this one had nothing to do with his health.

Though Miller officially handed over control of the franchise earlier this summer to his son, Greg Miller, the Jazz owner raised some eyes when he talked about next year's offseason when — among many other things — the franchise will likely be challenged to keep Carlos Boozer in the fold.

"We're going to have to make some very, very tough decisions next year," the elder Miller said. "I do not intend us to be a luxury-tax payer, but only because we have to have an economically stable franchise regardless of anything else."

With just two weeks until the kickoff of the Utah Jazz's fall training camp, it's worth revisiting two major points that can be gleaned from Miller's statement:

1. Even though he stepped down as the boss, Miller will likely play a significant role in the franchise's future decision-making. That especially appears the case for next summer, which he says will be "one of the most important" in Jazz history. His son has publicly stated that he wants the business mogul to remain active in helping mold the franchise's future.

2. Having to make those "very, very tough decisions" will mean either Utah's financial bottom line will take a hit from paying luxury taxes to keep the current group together or Jazz fans will be cheering on a team that looks significantly different in several key spots.

Have fun picking your poison, Jazz brass.

General manager Kevin O'Connor and the Jazz's other top decision-makers might not be making too many vacation plans for what should be a wild summer of '09 for multiple reasons:

• The Jazz's team salary for the 2008-09 season will be $65.3 million. While that is above the salary cap, it's well below the more important luxury-tax threshold, which will be in the $72.4 million range. For 2009-10, however, the Jazz's salary could skyrocket to $74.4 million — about the same as the projected luxury-tax threshold — if all players with options remain with the team.

The problem? The Jazz would still need to sign two more players to reach the required 13-player mark, meaning their salary level would be at least a million or so into the dreaded luxury-tax zone where Miller said his team won't go. Teams that surpass that level must pay a per-dollar-over toll to the league. Likewise, those taxed teams do not receive a share of the luxury-tax bonus that is divvied up equally to franchises under the limit. The Jazz reportedly received a $4.2 million share for being frugal last year.